Animal Movement Fun

Overview

A 40-minute Physical Education session designed for Year 2 students (ages 6-7) to develop fundamental movement skills through animal-themed activities. The lesson aligns with the National Curriculum for England’s PE requirements, promoting agility, coordination, balance, and teamwork, while being inclusive and adaptable for children with autism and those who are more able.

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National Curriculum Links

• KS1 Physical Education - Pupils should develop fundamental movement skills in a range of activities and begin to apply these in different ways.

• Statutory requirements:

  • Negotiate space and obstacles safely.
  • Show increasing control over an object and body.
  • Use running, jumping, throwing, and catching in isolation and in combination.
  • Develop balance, agility, and coordination.

• Personal, social and emotional development within PE:

  • Work individually, and with others, showing cooperation and sensitivity to different needs.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this session, pupils will:

• Move continuously using locomotor skills inspired by animals (run, jump, hop, crouch).
• Demonstrate improved coordination, balance, and spatial awareness.
• Show understanding of personal space and safe movement around others.
• Adapt animal movements to their own ability, fostering engagement for all pupils including those with autism.
• Collaborate respectfully with peers during paired or group activities.

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Resources Needed

• Open indoor hall or outdoor field with clear boundaries.
• Animal picture cards (e.g., frog, snake, elephant, kangaroo, cheetah, crab).
• Soft mats for resting/breaks as needed.
• Visual schedules or timers (for autistic pupils).

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (5 minutes)

“Zoo Animal Parade” – Continuous Movement and Engagement

• Instruction: Teacher shows an animal card and calls out the animal. Children move around the space mimicking the animal’s typical movement.
• Examples:
  • Frog = jump forward in small hops.
  • Snake = slither close to the ground.
  • Elephant = march with heavy steps.
  • Kangaroo = big jumps.
  • Crab = walk sideways on hands and feet.
  • Cheetah = run fast in short bursts.
• Differentiation:
  • For autism: Provide visual cards ahead; use clear, simple instructions; low-stimulus zones for breaks.
  • More able: Encourage faster speeds, smoother transitions, or variations (e.g., adding arm movements).
• Safety:
  • Emphasise safe spacing—“zoo cages” are marked where children can rest or pause if overwhelmed.

2. Main Activity (25 minutes)

“Animal Movement Circuits” – Skill Development Focus

• Set up 5 stations, each reflecting an animal’s movement pattern, to be rotated every 4–5 minutes:

  Station	Movement Focus	Activity Description	Adaptations
  Frog Station	Jumping and landing	Jump over a line or small hurdles, land softly.	Use mats/low step for support.
  Snake Station	Rolling and creeping	Lie down, creep around designated path.	Smaller space, visual guide.
  Elephant Station	Heavy marching with balance	March slowly on the spot, lifting knees high.	Support balance with wall.
  Kangaroo Station	Hopping with two feet	Hop between cones or markers.	One foot hop or assisted hop.
  Cheetah Station	Running and sprint bursts	Short sprints between markers, stop on whistle.	Walk or jog for less able pupils.

• Key Points:

  • Encourage focus on control, form, and breathing.
  • Reinforce positive feedback on effort.
  • Children track their own time/moves with a simple checklist or peer support.

3. Partner Challenge (7 minutes)

“Animal Mimic Mirror”

• In pairs, one child is the “Lead Animal,” performing an animal movement; the partner is the “Mirror,” copying as closely as possible.
• After 3 minutes, swap roles.
• Challenge: Use different animal movements each time.
• Skills: Coordination, observation, empathy, and teamwork.
• Adaptations:
  • Provide visual prompts.
  • For autistic pupils, allow choice of animal to reduce stress.
  • More able partners encouraged to include own creative animal moves.

4. Cool Down and Reflection (3 minutes)

• Gentle stretching invoking animal themes (e.g., “Stretch like a giraffe reaching for leaves,” “Curl up like a sleeping cat”).
• Circle time to share favourite animal movement and one thing learned.
• Use simple prompts/question cards for children who need support communicating.

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Assessment & Feedback

• Observational Assessment: Teacher notes pupils’ ability to follow instructions, movement control, and engagement.
• Peer Feedback: Children give positive one-word feedback after the partner activity (e.g., “fast,” “strong”).
• Self-assessment: Use smiley face charts for pupils to show how they felt about their efforts.
• Provide differentiated verbal encouragement and adjust activities on the spot.

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Inclusion Notes

• Visual timetables and clear instructions support autistic children’s understanding and reduce anxiety.
• Sensory breaks allowed as needed within “zoo cages.”
• Provide alternative quieter spaces with same activities for children needing low sensory input.
• Adapt difficulty by changing movement speed, size of space, or effort required.

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Extension Ideas for More Able Pupils

• Introduce simple sequences combining animal movements.
• Time challenges (how many frog jumps in 30 seconds).
• Add bean bags for throwing/kicking at stations for coordination challenge.

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With this animal-inspired, movement-rich session, pupils will deepen physical skills essential to their development while enjoying creative imaginative play. The lesson ensures all children engage meaningfully and feel successful, supporting the broad aims of the National Curriculum for KS1 Physical Education.