Games and Teamwork

Overview

This 30-minute lesson is Lesson 3 of 4 in the unit "Run, Skip, Play!" for Year 2 students in a rural New Zealand junior school. The focus is engaging students in a relay race that combines running and skipping skills while emphasising teamwork, communication, and peer support. This lesson directly supports building excitement and readiness for upcoming cross country activities.

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Curriculum Links

Health and Physical Education Learning Area

• Participates confidently in physical activities for enjoyment and wellbeing.
• Demonstrates cooperation and teamwork in group activities.
• Develops basic movement skills: running, skipping.
• Recognises the benefits of physical activity on wellbeing.

Key Competencies

• Relating to others: Cooperates and contributes to a group; communicates effectively.
• Participating and contributing: Engages in activities actively and responsibly.
• Thinking: Reflects on own performance to improve.

Achievement Objective (Level 1-2)

• Demonstrate basic movement skills (running, skipping).
• Participate actively in games and physical activities.
• Demonstrate teamwork and communication with others in group activities.

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Learning Intentions (WALT)

• We Are Learning To:
• Work together as a team during a relay race.
• Support and encourage each other as we run and skip.
• Understand why teamwork and communication are important in games.

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Success Criteria

• Each team completes the relay race with all team members participating.
• Students communicate and encourage each other during the activity.
• Everyone shows respect and support for their peers throughout the lesson.

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Resources Needed

• Cones or markers to outline relay lanes
• Batons or soft objects for relay handover
• Whistle or timer

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Lesson Breakdown

1. Introduction and Warm-up (5 minutes)

Activities:

• Gather the class in a circle. Briefly recap the skills from previous lessons (running and skipping).
• Discuss today’s focus: teamwork and supporting each other.
• Quick warm-up game: “Follow the Leader” where students copy movements (skipping, running on spot).

Teacher notes:

• Use simple language; incorporate visuals or gestures for students with dyslexia.
• Ask students to share what teamwork means to them to activate prior knowledge.

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2. Main Activity: Relay Race with Running and Skipping (20 minutes)

Setup:

• Divide students into 4 teams of 5.
• Mark lanes with cones. Each team lines up behind the start cone.

Instructions:

• The first student runs to the marker 10 metres away, then the next student skips back to the start, tagging the next team member.
• Continue alternating running and skipping until all students have completed their leg.
• Emphasise communication: students cheer for teammates, wait for tags.

Teacher tips:

• Model clear, loud tags and cheering phrases.
• Guide teams gently if they become disorganised — keep it fun and supportive.
• Use simple cues and visuals for instructions, ensuring clarity.

Differentiation:

• For students needing extra support, shorten the running/skipping distance or pair with a buddy.
• For advanced learners, increase distance slightly or add a “challenge” such as having the skipping leg use a special skip pattern (e.g. side skip).
• Provide verbal encouragement and visual reminders for students with diverse needs.

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3. Cool Down and Reflection Discussion (5 minutes)

Activity:

• Gather students sitting in a circle.
• Ask reflective questions:
• How did your team work together?
• How did you help each other?
• How did you feel when your friends cheered for you?
• Highlight the importance of supporting peers, especially for upcoming cross country.

Teacher notes:

• Allow extra thinking time or pair share for those needing support with language processing.
• Summarise key ideas on a poster/chart with simple words and images for dyslexia-friendly access.

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Differentiation Strategies

• Provide visual cues and simple instructions to support diverse learners.
• Allow extra time or reduce distance to accommodate varied physical abilities.
• Pair students strategically for peer support.
• Use positive reinforcement tailored to individual learner needs.

Extension Activities

• Encourage advanced students to create their own relay pattern including an additional skill (e.g., hopping or crawling).
• Let them help lead teams or explain rules to peers, reinforcing leadership and communication.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Teacher observes teamwork and participation during relay.
• Informal assessment of communication skills and encouragement shown.
• Check each student’s physical involvement in running/skipping activity.

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This lesson fosters foundational physical skills while embedding social skills crucial for lifelong physical activity and wellbeing. Its focus on teamwork supports the holistic approach advocated by the New Zealand Curriculum, tailored to engaging young learners in your rural classroom environment.