Gymnastics 1 - Lesson 5

In the fifth lesson of a gymnastics unit for Year 5 students, the learning objective is to vault safely with a clear set of success criteria in place. Pupils are expected to create a squat shape, take weight on their hands, and drive their knees into their chest. The session is rich with key vocabulary such as 'cat springs', 'weight on hands', 'vault', and 'front support position', ensuring that students are well-versed with the terminology related to gymnastics. The necessary equipment for the lesson includes cones, gymnastics mats, and a few bibs. The lesson starts with a warm-up game called 'Toilet Tag', where pupils move around and avoid being tagged, and if tagged, they assume a toilet position until freed by another student. This playful activity not only gets the pupils moving but also encourages them to think about evasion skills and communication.

The main part of the lesson, lasting 30 minutes, involves setting up safety mats and teaching pupils how to safely assemble and transition apparatus. The class recaps the points for a 'Cat Spring' and practices the movement on the mats. The teacher demonstrates the cat spring on a piece of apparatus, with the discretion to perform it onto the apparatus or on it, depending on safety considerations. Pupils then take turns to practice on various pieces of apparatus, with the teacher supporting and reinforcing key teaching points. The lesson concludes with a cool-down activity called 'Spin, Swap, Jump, Squat', which involves pairs of pupils responding to the teacher's signals and competing to earn points. Finally, pupils reflect on their performance and discuss how they can improve, while lying on their backs and closing their eyes for a moment of calm reflection.