Gymnastics 3 - Lesson 3

In Year 6 Gymnastics lesson 3, the students are tasked with the challenge of creating and performing an apparatus routine that skilfully combines balancing and travelling. The learning objectives are clear: students should be able to demonstrate control over the apparatus, use their initiative and imagination to craft a routine, and perform their creation to an audience. The success criteria are designed to ensure that pupils not only master the physical aspects of travel and balance but also engage with the creative process and showcase their skills with confidence. Key vocabulary for the lesson includes terms such as 'travelling', 'balancing', 'routine', 'apparatus', 'control', and 'linking'. To facilitate the lesson, equipment such as mats, benches, gym tables, and wall bars are utilised, with a warm-up session that includes setting up the apparatus and stretches that engage different muscles.

The main activity spans 30 minutes, where students are divided across four apparatus stations and instructed to create a 40-second routine incorporating various travels and balances. Each set of travel and balance should be distinct, with a different number of contact points, encouraging diversity and creativity in their movements. Students rotate through the stations, ensuring exposure to all types of apparatus. To extend the challenge, routines can include different levels and directions, and students are encouraged to experiment with the apparatus. The session culminates in a performance where each pupil selects their best routine to showcase. During cool-down, emphasis is placed on maintaining pointed and straight arms, legs, fingers, and toes, linking travels and balances seamlessly, exploring the apparatus, and performing with poise and assurance.