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      Build a successful team to cross the river

      Lesson details

      Learning outcome

      I can work as a team to solve a physical challenge at speed and with honesty.

      Key learning points

      1. Move: using peers’ arms and hands to help with balance and stability will increase success.
      2. Move: balancing involves coordinating your muscles, joints and nervous system to keep you stable and prevent falls.
      3. Think: logical thinking requires you to think carefully about your actions and possible outcomes.
      4. Feel: speaking and acting truthfully demonstrates honesty.
      5. Connect: effective leaders will be able to influence and guide a group to achieve a common goal.

      Keywords

      • Leadership - the ability of an individual or a group of people to influence and guide followers or members of an organisation, society or team

      • Critical thinking - thinking carefully and logically about something to figure out the best solution or answer

      • Honesty - speaking and acting truthfully. Showing respect towards others with integrity and self-awareness.

      Common misconception

      Rushing before figuring out a strategy and consequently making mistakes

      Take time to plan your strategy first to avoid losing more time by being sent back to the start

      Teacher tip

      This lesson is planned with lots of different kit but you can meet the same outcomes with fewer items. Learning Cycle Three focuses on honesty over winning. Character development is more important than winning and upholds the integrity of sport. Adapt activities to suit your school community.

      Equipment

      4 long skipping ropes, cones, approx. 24 hoops, selection of PE equipment, floor markers/crates, gym matts, gym boxes, 10-20 of different colour quoits, 4 triangular cones.

      Content guidance

      Risk assessment required - outdoor learning

      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.
      How can you earn trust?

      Correct answer: be consistently reliable
      work hard
      share ideas

      Q2.
      What is the safest support grip?

      holding hands
      holding elbows
      Correct answer: holding wrists

      Q3.
      What must we bring to be a valued part of a team?

      leadership
      Correct answer: contributions
      experience

      Q4.
      Why is a team strategy important?

      Correct answer: shared direction
      start point
      motivational

      4 Questions

      Q1.
      Why is it important to use peer support when we are unstable?

      Correct answer: prevent injury
      increase strength
      save energy

      Q2.
      What does good leadership look like?

      giving instructions
      taking control
      Correct answer: influencing and guiding

      Q3.
      Why is honesty a valuable characteristic?

      Correct answer: to build trust
      people believe you
      shows leadership potential

      Q4.
      Why should we engage in critical thinking before beginning a task?

      to increase speed
      Correct answer: establish best solution
      share ideas

      To help you plan your 7 physical education lesson on: Build a successful team to cross the river, download all teaching resources for free and adapt to suit your pupils' needs...