Symmetry
Lesson details
Learning outcome
I can create a variety of quality movements and balances in a symmetrical way.
Key learning points
- Move: quality symmetrical movements require moving the body with both sides in sync and are controlled with extension.
- Move: quality pair symmetrical balances require holding our balance still with extension, creating a line of symmetry.
- Think: ensuring two different levels and connection points within balances demonstrates creative gymnastics.
- Feel: trying to find the line of symmetry in our actions requires determination and integrity to keep trying.
- 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.
Teacher tip
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.
Content guidance
Risk assessment required - physical activity
Supervision
Adult supervision required
Licence
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do all quality gymnastic movements and balances have?
Q2.What do we mean by changing the course along which we are moving?
Q3.What are we changing if we perform movements at different heights?
Q4.Which skill will help us to successfully collaborate with our partner?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do we mean by symmetrical?
Q2.When one partner is higher up in the balance and one partner is lower down, what have you changed in the balance?
Q3.If you continue to try your very best, what skill are you demonstrating?
Q4.To demonstrate creative thinking as we perform symmetrical balances with a partner, we can change the levels in the balance and what else?
To help you plan your 4 physical education lesson on: Symmetry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...
To help you plan your 4 physical education lesson on: Symmetry, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs.
The starter quiz will activate and check your pupils' prior knowledge, with versions available both with and without answers in PDF format.
We use learning cycles to break down learning into key concepts or ideas linked to the learning outcome. Each learning cycle features explanations with checks for understanding and practice tasks with feedback. All of this is found in our slide decks, ready for you to download and edit. The practice tasks are also available as printable worksheets and some lessons have additional materials with extra material you might need for teaching the lesson.
The assessment exit quiz will test your pupils' understanding of the key learning points.
Our video is a tool for planning, showing how other teachers might teach the lesson, offering helpful tips, modelled explanations and inspiration for your own delivery in the classroom.
Explore more key stage 2 physical education lessons from the Gymnastics: symmetry and asymmetry unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.