New
New
Year 6

Actions: Newton's Cradle

I can create and perform actions in response to another person’s actions.

New
New
Year 6

Actions: Newton's Cradle

I can create and perform actions in response to another person’s actions.

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These resources were created for remote use during the pandemic and are not designed for classroom teaching.

Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: performing actions in response to another person’s actions requires control, balance and accurate timings.
  2. Think: exploring different ways of responding to an idea demonstrates problem solving.
  3. Feel: making contact with another performer requires all performers to act responsibly.
  4. Connect: delivering a high quality dance performance in groups requires collaboration.

Keywords

  • Newton’s Cradle - swinging balls that demonstrate Newton’s laws of energy conservation and momentum

  • Reaction - to respond or answer

  • Swing - to move in a curved line

Common misconception

Pupils think that when replicating Newtons Cradle, when we make contact with others, we have to bump or push them away.

The actions don’t have to be bumps or pushes when making contact with a partner, but instead could be any action such as a lean, a step, a jump etc.


To help you plan your year 6 physical education lesson on: Actions: Newton's Cradle, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

It may help to show the pupils a video of Newton's Cradle so they can picture how to create actions to bring this to life.
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.
What choreographic relationship demonstrates a ‘domino effect’?

Correct answer: canon
mirroring
contrast

Q2.
What skill does making sure everyone has enough space demonstrate?

resilience
empathy
Correct answer: problem solving

Q3.
What does relying on other people require?

counterbalance
Correct answer: trust
contract

Q4.
Which of the following does not help to create a ‘unified’ effect?

Correct answer: separating
using contact work
being close together

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What type of action can we use to make contact with a partner?

only pushes
Correct answer: any
bumps and pushes

Q2.
What do we mean by ‘to respond or answer’?

resilience
reflection
Correct answer: reaction

Q3.
What could we call moving in a curved line?

Correct answer: swinging
running
jumping

Q4.
Which life skill helps us to ensure our contact actions are performed safely?

strength
speed
Correct answer: responsibility

Additional material

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