Gymnastics 3 - Lesson 4

In Year 5's Gymnastics lesson 4, students are set to progress their gymnastic abilities by learning to perform a round-off, building on the skills required for a cartwheel and a handstand. The lesson's objectives are clearly defined; students will attempt a handstand, execute a cartwheel with control, and create a short sequence that incorporates a round-off. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'cartwheel', 'handstand', 'round off', 'lunge', 'control', and 'linking movements'. The equipment required for the lesson includes mats and cones, which will be used during the warm-up and main activities to aid in skill development and ensure safety.

The lesson begins with a 10-minute warm-up consisting of lunges, which are performed with variations such as maintaining a cone on the head to improve balance and increasing the pace for continuous movement. The main part of the lesson, lasting 30 minutes, is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different skill: handstands, cartwheels, and round-offs. Pupils work in pairs to provide feedback to one another, and they rotate through each section. They are then challenged to create a 20-second routine that combines all three skills, separated by linking movements like straight jumps and pivots. The lesson concludes with a 10-minute cool-down involving self-assessment, where pupils reflect on their performance and set goals for improvement. Teaching points throughout the lesson emphasise the importance of correct body positioning and control for each skill, and variations are provided to cater to different skill levels.