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Lesson details

Learning outcome

I can use relaxation techniques to overcome feelings of anxiousness and use these in movement sequences to show changes in emotion.

Key learning points

  1. Move: showing the emotions that we are feeling with our bodies needs controlled movement.
  2. Think: relaxation techniques can help focus our attention so that we feel calm and less stressed.
  3. Feel: trying hard to focus on different movements to represent emotions shows that we have resilience.
  4. Connect: working collaboratively with our partners to develop movements to music demonstrates respect.

Keywords

  • Movement - changing position or location from one place to another

  • Relaxation - when your body and mind feel calm and peaceful

  • Emotion - involving feelings, thoughts and behaviours often linked to our mood

Common misconception

Pupils rush different relaxation techniques and actions with their bodies when performing sequences.

Ensure pupils understand that mimicking different emotions requires concentration and controlled movements, which are often performed slowly in order calm our bodies.

Teacher tip

Give pupils an opportunity to write down their feelings or worries and put them in a box. Some of these worries or emotions can then be addressed (annonymously) through the lesson and subsequent lessons.

Equipment

1 dance scarf per pupil, additional material: suggested music

Content guidance

Risk assessment required - physical activity

Supervision

Adult supervision required

Licence

This content is © Oak National Academy Limited (2026), licensed on Open Government Licence version 3.0 except where otherwise stated. See Oak's terms & conditions (Collection 2).

Prior knowledge starter quiz

4 Questions

Q1.
What do we mean by keeping a steady and stable body position?

coordination
Correct answer: balance
agility

Q2.
What do we mean by the body's ability to move quickly and easily?

coordination
balance
Correct answer: agility

Q3.
What happens to your heartbeat when you exercise?

it slows down
Correct answer: it gets faster
stays the same

Q4.
What do we mean by the ability to efficiently use different parts of the body together?

Correct answer: coordination
balance
agility

4 Questions

Q1.
What are we doing if we try to become less tense, stressed or anxious by physically and mentally unwinding?

concentrating
Correct answer: relaxing
working

Q2.
Why should we avoid rushing relaxation techniques?

so we laugh
Correct answer: so they work
so we smile

Q3.
What describes the feelings, thoughts and behaviours often linked to our mood?

Correct answer: our emotions
our movement
our technique

Q4.
What are we showing if we try hard to focus on different movements to represent different emotions?

Correct answer: resilience
relaxation
results

To help you plan your 3 physical education lesson on: Relaxation techniques, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...