New
New
Year 3

Commas and full stops: pauses and stillness

I can apply control effectively when I pause or I am still.

New
New
Year 3

Commas and full stops: pauses and stillness

I can apply control effectively when I pause or I am still.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: performing shapes and actions with precision involves control, balance and coordination.
  2. Think: deciding when and how to move requires us to think independently.
  3. Feel: identifying when and how to apply our ideas requires self-discipline.
  4. Connect: stillness enables us to be able to communicate effectively.

Keywords

  • Stillness - the absence of action

  • Shape - a position or pose that can be held

  • Control - the skill used to perform a shape or action with precision

Common misconception

Travelling around the room means you run in a circle. Pausing and balancing are always star shapes.

Explain to pupils that travelling involves a wide range of actions including skipping, shuffling, marching, jumping, creeping. Also ensure pupils understand that we can balance on a range of body parts in a variety of shapes.


To help you plan your year 3 physical education lesson on: Commas and full stops: pauses and stillness, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Use visual displays of the punctuation marks to reinforce their appearance with their function.
Teacher tip

Equipment

additional materials: suggested music

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.
In dance, what is a motif?

Correct answer: pattern of actions
a curving action
a jump

Q2.
What word describes working together?

Correct answer: collaborate
independence
effort

Q3.
Which of the following is not a form of communication?

speaking
listening
Correct answer: thinking

Q4.
What word describes a position that is held during a dance?

travel
Correct answer: shape
turn

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
In dance, what action could be performed to communicate a ‘full stop’?

jumping
travelling
Correct answer: balance

Q2.
What skill is used to hold a shape still?

Correct answer: control
focus
projection

Q3.
What do we mean by the absence of action?

Correct answer: stillness
travelling
jumping

Q4.
Why might we use stillness in dance?

to rest
Correct answer: to communicate
to run

Additional material

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