Gymnastics 3 - Lesson 4

In the fourth lesson of Gymnastics 3 for Year 4 students, the learning objectives are centered around combining actions and linking movements to create a group routine with a theme. The success criteria include the ability to perform linking movements on apparatus and the creation of a themed routine. The key vocabulary introduced or reinforced includes terms such as 'linking', 'pivot', 'cat leap', 'chassis step', and 'routine', which are crucial for understanding and executing the movements. The equipment needed for the lesson consists of mats, gym tables, benches, and theme cards. The warm-up involves a dynamic activity called 'Decision time', where students move around the hall in various ways, such as frog jumps and lunges, and then quickly transition over apparatus when instructed to stop. This is designed to promote quick reactions and smooth transitions in movement.

The main part of the lesson is divided into two activities. Firstly, 'Linking movements' builds on the previous lesson, with students using apparatus to practice specific linking movements, such as the cat leap and pivot, focusing on using arms for balance and executing movements with control. Students rotate through different sections, each focusing on a particular skill. The second activity, 'Theme & link it up!', encourages students to work in groups to create and practice a routine that represents a given theme. They must incorporate at least three gymnastics movements and two linking movements, with the option to mirror or perform individual actions within the group. The lesson concludes with a cool down, where students assist in packing up the equipment and participate in led stretches. They reflect on the challenges faced and consider how they could improve their routines with more time.