New
New
Year 2

Curved pathways

I can create a sequence of movements and balances that flow while travelling along a curved pathway.

New
New
Year 2

Curved pathways

I can create a sequence of movements and balances that flow while travelling along a curved pathway.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: linking quality actions along a curved pathway requires control, and twisting and turning the body with flow.
  2. Think: trying a variety of actions and selecting the best ones to link on a curved pathway shows decision making.
  3. Connect: empathy enables us to listen and help others if they find creating their sequences challenging.
  4. Feel: striving to improve the quality of our movements and committing to making improvements demonstrates courage.

Keywords

  • Curved - not straight, rounded with a gentle bend

  • Flow - moving from one action to another without stopping

  • Turning - to move in a different direction or turn around and face the opposite direction

Common misconception

Pupils lean backwards in a teddy bear roll, ending up on their back and getting stuck there.

Stress the importance of leaning to the side (left or right) on a shoulder and placing it close to their knee to start the action, then lifting the opposite leg (not both) to help you face the opposite direction.


To help you plan your year 2 physical education lesson on: Curved pathways, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Gymnasts should always have bare feet. You can find videos to demonstrate the teddy bear roll or ask a pupil who can already do it to show the class.
Teacher tip

Equipment

small cones, 30+ floor markers

Content guidance

  • Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2025), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What do we call gymnastics actions that move from one place to another?
balances
skills
Correct answer: travelling movements
Q2.
What should the pathway we follow in a sequence be?
guessed
made up
Correct answer: planned
Q3.
What shape is a curved pathway?
Correct answer: rounded
square
straight
Q4.
What do we do with our knees when we land a jump?
Correct answer: bend them
fall on them
touch them

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
Which pathway moves along a gentle bend?
Correct answer: curved
straight
zigzag
Q2.
What body part do we lean onto in a teddy bear roll?
back
legs
Correct answer: shoulder
Q3.
What kind of action do we perform so that we face the opposite direction?
forwards
backwards
Correct answer: turning
Q4.
What do we show when we support others and consider how they feel?
curiosity
Correct answer: empathy
imagination

Additional material

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