Linking
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can link two movements or a movement and a balance together with flow.
Key learning points
- Move: moving from one movement or balance to the next without stopping ensures the actions are linked and enables flow.
- Move: quality movements and balances require silence, pointing the fingers and toes, and holding balances still.
- Think: trying a range of movements and balances to link together shows imagination.
- Feel: courage enables us to be brave and try new ideas, showing we can move confidently.
- Connect: listening to others and being aware of their feelings when sharing ideas demonstrates empathy.
Keywords
Link - connecting movements and balances together
Flow - moving from one action to another without stopping
Quality - the good parts of the performance that suggest the movements and balances are performed correctly
Common misconception
Pupils don't hold balances for long enough because they think they have to link straight into the next skill.
Holding a balance still for 4 seconds is part of the balance skill, so it should be included even when a balance is used in a linking sequence.
Teacher tip
Make this unit about the circus exciting, but remind pupils that a 'trick' is still a gymnastics action that needs to be performed with control and pointed fingers and toes. When talking to pupils between practices, ensure they 'stand like a gymnast'-feet together, muscles tight, stand tall.
Equipment
mats, 30+ floor markers
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What should we do with our fingers and toes when moving or balancing in gymnastics?
Q2.Why do gymnasts perform silently?
Q3.What does listening to others and sharing ideas show?
Q4.What do we do in a high quality balance?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do we call moving from one action to another without stopping?
Q2.What do we call it when we combine 2 actions?
Q3.How do we describe movements that are performed correctly?
Q4.What do we show when we are brave and confident?
To help you plan your 2 physical education lesson on: Linking, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 2 physical education lesson on: Linking, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 1 physical education lessons from the Gymnastics: linking movements and balances unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.