New
New
Year 4

Unison in sequences

I can create a sequence in unison using a range of movements and balances that flow.

New
New
Year 4

Unison in sequences

I can create a sequence in unison using a range of movements and balances that flow.

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Lesson details

Key learning points

  1. Move: creating movements in unison requires moving in time with our partner.
  2. Think: performing in unison with our partner requires concentration to ensure we are both moving with accurate timings.
  3. Think: selecting the movements and balances to perform in unison requires decision making.
  4. Connect: strong collaboration and respect helps to ensure the movements are performed with accurate timings in unison.
  5. motivating our partner to perform with maximum effort and accurate timing requires resilience.

Keywords

  • Unison - performing the same movement at exactly the same time as a partner

  • Accurate timings - performing movements and balances at the exact time you planned

  • Sequence - combination of controlled movements and balances that have been linked together in a particular order

Common misconception

Pupils find keeping accurate timings hard and struggle to see how to adapt the sequence to improve this and make this easier.

Encourage pupils to slow down their movements and to include simpler movements that both pupils in the pair can perform with confidence.


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

Introduce apparatus to extend the challenge further. Mix the pairings so that pupils can apply their learning with a variety of partners.
Teacher tip

Equipment

1 mat between 2 pupils (optional)

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.
How can we tell if a sequence in gymnastics is performed with flow?

Correct answer: no stop start
pauses between actions
it’s low down

Q2.
What is a distinctive feature of an asymmetrical balance?

same each side
two levels
Correct answer: different each side

Q3.
What do all high-quality balances have?

different speeds
different levels
Correct answer: silence, extension, stillness

Q4.
Which skill enables us to communicate and collaborate effectively with a partner?

strength
Correct answer: respect
reflection

Assessment exit quiz

Download quiz pdf

4 Questions

Q1.
If we are able to perform the same movement at exactly the same time as our partner, what do we call this?

uniform
universe
Correct answer: unison

Q2.
What is essential to performing in unison?

Correct answer: accurate timings
speed
volume

Q3.
What could we do to help our partner apply maximum effort when creating sequences in unison?

give loud instructions
Correct answer: motivate them
leave them alone

Q4.
Which skill will help us to ensure we have accurate timings in our unison sequences?

fairness
gratitude
Correct answer: concentration