Gymnastics 2 - Unit Overview

The 'Gymnastics 2' unit for Year 4 pupils, as part of the Striver Lesson Plans, is designed to enhance students' gymnastic skills by focusing on stands, balances, and forward rolls. Throughout the unit, students will be challenged to create and perform sequences that involve using apparatus, demonstrating their abilities both on and off the equipment. This unit builds on the foundational skills acquired in previous years, ensuring a progressive development of gymnastic capabilities.

Key teaching tips for the unit include allotting sufficient time within one-hour lessons for changing at the start and end, as well as adjusting timings if necessary. Teachers are encouraged to promote creativity, fluidity, precision, and control in students' performances, which should all feature clear beginnings, middles, and ends. Safety is also a priority, with the use of gymnastics mats and the removal of shoes and socks before participation. The unit is adaptable to various needs, spaces, and resources. Over the course of six lessons, students work towards specific objectives, such as performing shoulder and headstands safely, creating short sequences with a variety of stands and balances, and executing forward rolls with proper technique. Each lesson has clear success criteria to help students and teachers assess progress and ensure safety and skill development.