Active Movement Games

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Overview

Subject: Physical Education
Year Group: Year 5 (Ages 9–10)
Time Duration: 50 minutes
Class Size: 28 pupils
Curriculum Focus:

• National Curriculum for PE in Key Stage 2 (England)
  • Pupils should:
    • Use running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and in combination
    • Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance
    • Take part in outdoor and adventurous activity challenges
    • Compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement

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Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Demonstrate improved agility, coordination and teamwork through active games
• Use problem-solving skills in a team context
• Work collaboratively in competitive and non-competitive relay-based challenges
• Reflect and evaluate their performance and others' to enhance future participation

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Success Criteria

Pupils will:

• Participate safely and enthusiastically in all activities
• Support teammates in team-based relay challenges
• Demonstrate agility, balance and coordination through negotiated space
• Understand and apply rules of each activity

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Resources & Setup

Equipment Needed:

• 8 rubber spots
• 6 cones
• 6 hoops
• 4 soft balls
• Mini hurdles (8–10)
• Beanbags (approx. 20)
• Stopwatch or timer
• Whistle

Setup Notes:

• Hall or large open space marked with cones
• Divide space into 4 areas: warm-up zone, relay track, reflection circle area, cool-down space
• Form 4 teams of 7 pupils ahead of main activity

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Lesson Breakdown

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⏱️ 0–5 mins: Introduction & Safety Brief

• Welcome pupils and recap prior PE focus
• Brief class on today’s focus: Games, coordination, and teamwork
• Quick 30-second space awareness game ("Freeze and Go") to assess understanding of personal space
• Emphasise safety with equipment and during team participation

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🟠 5–15 mins: Warm-Up Games (2 Games)

Game 1: Treasure Grab

• Split into 4 teams in corners of the hall
• Place beanbags ("treasures") in centre circle
• One runner at a time from each team runs to grab one treasure and returns
• Game ends when treasure is all gone — count your team's haul
• Focus: Cardiovascular warm-up, directional running, decision-making

Game 2: Shadow Tag

• Pupils work in pairs: one is the “shadow”, other is the “lead”
• The lead tries to lose their shadow in a controlled area (no contact)
• After 1 min, they switch roles
• Start slowly, add light movements to increase challenge
• Focus: Agility, change of direction, observation skills

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🟡 15–35 mins: Main Activity – Obstacle Relay Race

Equipment Setup:

• Relay stations in lane format with 4 identical lanes
  • Cone weave
  • Mini hurdles
  • Crawl under hoop
  • Beanbag balance walk
  • Ball carry sprint back

Instructions:

• Teams of 7 line up behind each lane
• Pupils complete the course one at a time
• Tag next team member to go
• Rotate clockwise after two full rotations so teams get new starting positions

Extension & Differentiation:

• Vary the challenge:
  • Walk backwards in one section
  • Add time limit for each attempt
  • Introduce penalty (5-star jumps) for dropped beanbags

Focus: Practical problem solving, resilience, supporting teammates, using a variety of physical skills

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🔵 35–45 mins: Concluding Game – "Capture the Cones"

• Two teams (combine two from previous relay)
• Each team has a base with 5 cones
• Objective: Steal cones from the other team without being tagged in 'no man's land'
• Cone runners must return cone safely to their base to score
• If tagged, return to base and do 5 jumping jacks before rejoining
• Ends after 5-minute time limit or once all cones are at one base

Focus:

• Strategy, controlled movement, reaction time, and team tactics

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🟢 45–50 mins: Cool Down & Reflection

Cool Down Game:

• "Rainfall Stretching" — pupils copy leader's sounds and stretches (finger taps for rain, arms wide for wind etc.)
• Transition into full-body stretches focusing on this session's main muscle groups (calves, quads, shoulders)

Reflection Questions (Think-Pair-Share):

• What strategies worked well in the relay or capture games?
• How did you support your team today?
• Can you think of a new station to add next time?

Encourage pupils to share their ideas and reflect on how they improved control, speed or teamwork.

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Assessment

Formative (During Lesson):

• Observe pupil participation, enthusiasm, and interactions
• Make note of pupils who demonstrate leadership or resilience

Summative (End Reflection):

• Pupil ability to articulate skills used and give examples from play
• Group discussion to assess understanding of tactics and rules

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Differentiation

Lower Ability Support:

• Allow simplified obstacles (e.g. walking instead of running)
• Pair with encouraging, supportive teammates
• Active adult support at certain stations

Higher Ability Challenge:

• Add complexity to obstacles (e.g. one-legged hop)
• Lead team strategy discussions before games
• Time their team's performance and set improvement goals

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Cross-Curricular Links

• Mathematics: Counting points, timing, basic averages for relay races
• PSHE: Emotional regulation, team building, and cooperation skills

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Final Notes

This dynamic, game-based PE lesson delivers a fresh and exciting take on teamwork and physical challenge for Year 5 pupils. By weaving high-energy warm ups, creative obstacle design, and purposeful reflection, the session strongly aligns with the National Curriculum while ensuring active, joyful participation for all.