New
New
Year 4

Symmetry

I can create a variety of quality movements and balances in a symmetrical way.

New
New
Year 4

Symmetry

I can create a variety of quality movements and balances in a symmetrical way.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: quality symmetrical movements require moving the body with both sides in sync and are controlled with extension.
  2. Move: quality pair symmetrical balances require holding our balance still with extension, creating a line of symmetry.
  3. Think: ensuring two different levels and connection points within balances demonstrates creative gymnastics.
  4. Feel: trying to find the line of symmetry in our actions requires determination and integrity to keep trying.
  5. Connect: working effectively with a partner to create a symmetrical balance requires respect.

Keywords

  • Balance - maintaining a desired shape completely still

  • Symmetrical - when a balance or a movement is identical on either side

  • Creativity - the ability to generate, imagine or produce new and original ideas, concepts or solutions

Common misconception

Pupils forget the line of symmetry in their balances. Pupils always mirror their partner when creating symmetrical balances and always want to connect to their partner using the same body parts.

The content in cycle 3 will help with this but pupils will need lots of model examples to see how symmetrical balances can still be created without always mirroring their partner.


To help you plan your year 4 physical education lesson on: Symmetry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...

Drip feed the explanation throughout the practice task. Provide lots of models of symmetrical balances with different levels and connection points to support pupil understanding. Mix up the pairings so that pupils work with a variety of partners to help with creative thinking.
Teacher tip

Equipment

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 do all quality gymnastic movements and balances have?

Correct answer: control and extension
stillness and height
speed and direction

Q2.
What do we mean by changing the course along which we are moving?

changing levels
Correct answer: changing direction
changing control

Q3.
What are we changing if we perform movements at different heights?

direction
control
Correct answer: level

Q4.
Which skill will help us to successfully collaborate with our partner?

pace
speed
Correct answer: trust

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
What do we mean by symmetrical?

similar each side
different each side
Correct answer: identical each side

Q2.
When one partner is higher up in the balance and one partner is lower down, what have you changed in the balance?

directions
Correct answer: levels
sides

Q3.
If you continue to try your very best, what skill are you demonstrating?

Correct answer: determination
trust
empathy

Q4.
To demonstrate creative thinking as we perform symmetrical balances with a partner, we can change the levels in the balance and what else?

correction points
collection points
Correct answer: connection points