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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can move and balance in a variety of high and low ways on the apparatus.

Key learning points

  1. Move: high quality high and low movements, jumps, and balances are performed silently, with pointed fingers and toes.
  2. Move: high quality high and low balances are held still with good control.
  3. Think: moving on apparatus in a variety of high and low ways shows great imagination.
  4. Feel: self-belief enables us to try a range of different high and low movements on the apparatus.
  5. Connect: using the apparatus safely and sharing the space, enables everyone to be successful and shows empathy.

Keywords

  • Silent - performing movements and balances with control making no sound

  • Pointed - stretching out or extending the fingers and toes

  • Zone - a specific part of the apparatus or area

Common misconception

Pupils move their whole body at once in a bunny hop. Pupils point their toes the wrong way by flexing the ankle, causing the foot to point at a 90 degree angle to the leg. Pupils jump off wall bars.

Tell pupils to move their hands first, then their feet to their hands and repeat. Tell pupils to flex their ankles in the opposite direction and push their toes away from their leg, making the leg appear longer. Pupils only jump from flat surfaces.

Teacher tip

The equipment list is for example only; adapt it to whatever you have in your setting. Arrange apparatus with plenty of entry and exit points. Put mats where pupils jump from height. You can use teacher voice instead of a tambourine. '3,2,1 Freeze' or '3,2,1, stop' might work best for your pupils.

Equipment

mats, benches, gymnastic tables, tambourine, climbing frames, or wall bars

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
How do we stay safe on the apparatus?

move quickly
Correct answer: move slowly
move under

Q2.
How do we show empathy when using the apparatus?

Correct answer: share it
move it
block it

Q3.
Why do gymnasts move silently?

to show empathy
to show self-belief
Correct answer: to show control

Q4.
What do we do in a high quality balance?

keep jumping
keep moving
Correct answer: keep still

4 Questions

Q1.
What is an example of a high balance?

lying down star
sittng down star
Correct answer: standing up star

Q2.
When performing gymnastics, which body parts do we point?

eyes and nose
Correct answer: fingers and toes
head and neck

Q3.
How can we show great imagination when moving?

Correct answer: performing different movements
performing one movement
standing still

Q4.
How do we show self-belief on the apparatus?

sitting down
repeating one movement
Correct answer: trying different movements

To help you plan your 1 physical education lesson on: High and low on apparatus, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...