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Partner activities: developing communication

Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can communicate successfully with a partner so that we can move together.

Key learning points

  1. Move: balancing on floor markers with a partner requires good body control and coordination.
  2. Think: using imagination to try new ideas shows a good sense of curiosity.
  3. Feel: trying our hardest throughout the activity requires self-belief.
  4. Connect: communicating ideas carefully means your partner can follow the correct instructions.

Keywords

  • Communicate - sharing ideas through talk and actions

  • Cooperate - working with others to achieve a shared goal

  • Partner - someone you play or work with

Common misconception

Pupils shout too loudly, thinking this will improve communication. Pupils place floor markers too close together, resulting in slow movement across the river.

Encourage the use of good sentences spoken at a normal talking volume. Highlight pupils who place floor markers an arm's length from each other and move across the river more efficiently.

Teacher tip

Use different colours of A4 or A3 paper if you don't have enough floor markers.

Equipment

30+ floor markers, soft animal toys or PE equipment to represent animals, cones

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - outdoor learning

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.
What do we call someone you play or work with?

a captain
Correct answer: a partner
a stranger

Q2.
Where do we look when we’re listening to someone?

Correct answer: their face
their feet
their hands

Q3.
How can we make sure we understand our partner?

ignore them
Correct answer: listen to them
take turns

Q4.
How do you use your imagination?

by being brave
Correct answer: by being creative
by being silly

4 Questions

Q1.
How can we make sure our partner understands us?

ignore them
shout at them
Correct answer: talk clearly

Q2.
How can we make sure we don’t bump into others in a game?

look for friends
Correct answer: look for space
sit down

Q3.
What does cooperate mean?

Correct Answer: working together, working with a partner, sharing and talking together

Q4.
What is the best distance to place floor markers as stepping stones?

Correct answer: an arm's length
a leg's length
make them touch

To help you plan your 1 physical education lesson on: Partner activities: developing communication, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...