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Lesson 1 of 12
  • Year 3

Balances individually and in pairs

I can create a variety of quality balances on my own and with a partner.

Lesson 1 of 12
New
New
  • Year 3

Balances individually and in pairs

I can create a variety of quality balances on my own and with a partner.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: quality balances require silence, extending the fingers and toes; holding completely still when performing.
  2. Think: using a range of levels to create balances demonstrates creative thinking.
  3. Think: thinking creatively ensures balances are interesting by using a range of body parts to connect to our partners.
  4. Feel: working with a partner involves being responsible to ensure we are both safe when balancing.
  5. Connect: thinking about our partner’s safety helps to build trust in a partnership.

Keywords

  • Balance - maintaining a desired shape in a stationary position, completely still

  • Creative - varied, new and imaginative ideas

  • Quality - good characteristics of a performance that suggest the movements and balances are performed correctly

Common misconception

Some children may think that balancing is easy because it's just about staying still.

Balance requires strength and concentration to keep muscles under control in different positions. Balances should be held for at least 4 seconds and sometimes you need to make adjustments to maintain a balance. Holding a balance requires total focus.


To help you plan your year 3 physical education lesson on: Balances individually and in pairs, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Pupils will use different connection points with the surface to balance. For safety, it should be clear that the head should never be a connection point. Pupils also connect with others using different body parts and attention should be given to cultural sentivities and safeguarding issues.
Teacher tip

Equipment

mats, random selector e.g. spinner

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.
Which of these words describes a body that is not moving?

Correct answer: still
slow motion
sprinting

Q2.
What skill do we need to hold our bodies completely still in a shape?

speed
power
Correct answer: balance

Q3.
When we are working with another person, what might we call our relationship?

opponants
rivals
Correct answer: partners

Q4.
What can we do to perform interesting balances?

Correct answer: make different shapes
keep falling over
travel quickly

Assessment exit quiz

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4 Questions

Q1.
What have we changed when we move from a high balance to a low balance?

Correct answer: the level
the speed
the apparatus

Q2.
What is needed in our arms, fingers, legs and toes to ensure quality in our balances?

movement
speed
Correct answer: extension

Q3.
What is needed for a successful partnership when performing connected balances?

ball skills
speed
Correct answer: trust

Q4.
Which of these actions demonstrates responsibility?

Correct answer: thinking about safety
shouting at others
ignoring your partner