Gymnastics 1 - Lesson 6

Lesson 6 of the Year 5 Gymnastics 1 curriculum focuses on teaching students to safely perform vaults with various entrances and exits. The session's learning objectives are for pupils to execute squat ons on apparatus, take weight on their hands, and perform cat springs with proficiency. The success criteria are clearly outlined, ensuring that students understand the goals they need to achieve. Key vocabulary such as "cat springs," "vault," and "tuck shape" is introduced, which is essential for the students to comprehend and use throughout the lesson. The required equipment includes cones, gymnastic mats, bibs, and hoops, all of which contribute to a safe and effective learning environment.

The lesson begins with a warm-up game called "Fox and Rabbits," which not only gets the students active but also encourages them to utilise scanning for space skills and promotes agility through evasion. The main activity involves pupils sitting in teams and learning the cat spring on a vault, with the class teacher modelling the movement and reinforcing safety expectations. The key teaching points for the cat spring are revisited, and pupils are encouraged to practice until they feel confident. As they progress, they are challenged to extend their skills by pointing toes during the cat spring and incorporating an entrance and exit into their routine. The lesson concludes with a cool-down exercise where students reflect on their performance and consider areas for improvement, fostering a mindful approach to learning gymnastics.