Relaxation techniques
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
- Move: showing the emotions that we are feeling with our bodies needs controlled movement.
- Think: relaxation techniques can help focus our attention so that we feel calm and less stressed.
- Feel: trying hard to focus on different movements to represent emotions shows that we have resilience.
- 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
Prior knowledge starter quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What do we mean by keeping a steady and stable body position?
Q2.What do we mean by the body's ability to move quickly and easily?
Q3.What happens to your heartbeat when you exercise?
Q4.What do we mean by the ability to efficiently use different parts of the body together?
Assessment exit quiz
4 Questions
Q1.What are we doing if we try to become less tense, stressed or anxious by physically and mentally unwinding?
Q2.Why should we avoid rushing relaxation techniques?
Q3.What describes the feelings, thoughts and behaviours often linked to our mood?
Q4.What are we showing if we try hard to focus on different movements to represent different emotions?
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...
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.
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 Health and wellbeing: mindfulness and meditative balances unit, dive into the full primary physical education curriculum, or learn more about lesson planning.