Gymnastics 1 - Lesson 1

In the first session of a Year 5 gymnastics lesson series, students aim to master forward rolls with various entrances and exits. The lesson's learning objectives are clear: pupils should be able to tuck their heads in safely, form a tuck shape, and take weight on their hands while performing rolls with different shapes. Success is measured by their ability to achieve these positions and execute the rolls safely. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'entrance', 'exit', 'rolling', 'forward rolls', 'fluidity', and 'core strength', among others. The equipment required is simple yet essential for the practice: cones and gymnastic mats are used to ensure safety and define the space for activities.

The lesson structure is divided into three parts: warm-up, main activity, and cool-down. The warm-up consists of a game of Blob Tag, which encourages movement, spatial awareness, and teamwork, as students avoid being tagged and join together when caught. During the main part of the lesson, the class teacher models the forward roll, emphasizing the importance of a strong core and proper form to ensure safety. Students practice in pairs, giving and receiving feedback, and using 'My Turn, Your Turn' to learn from each other. They are encouraged to create their own sequences with different entrances and exits for forward rolling. The lesson concludes with a cool-down involving partner exercises like press-ups and sit-ups to strengthen the core, essential for gymnastics. Throughout the lesson, pupils engage in discussions to reflect on their techniques and improvements, using the key vocabulary to articulate their thoughts.