Week 4, Lessons 13–16

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Lesson 13: History & Values of the Commonwealth Games

Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Curricular area: History / PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education)
National Curriculum England links:

• History: Pupils should be taught about significant historical events in their locality and beyond (KS2)
• PSHE: Respecting differences and understanding values and beliefs (KS2)

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WALT:

• Understand the history and core values of the Commonwealth Games.
• Recognise the importance of friendship, respect, and equality.

Success Criteria:

• I can explain when and why the Commonwealth Games were created.
• I can identify key values promoted by the Games.
• I can share examples of respect and friendship from the Commonwealth context.

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Lesson Structure:

1. Starter (10 mins):

   • Show a colourful timeline poster of the Commonwealth Games history.
   • Dyslexia-friendly handout with key dates in large, sans-serif font, bullet points, and colour-coded sections.
   • Quick class discussion: “What are the Commonwealth Games? Who takes part?”

2. Main Activity (25 mins):

   • Watch a short narrated slideshow on the origins of the Games and the values behind them.
   • Group work: In groups of 5, students discuss examples of how respect, equality, and friendship could be shown during the Games, writing on A3 paper with large markers.
   • Groups share their ideas with the class.

3. Plenary (10 mins):

   • Whole class creates a ‘Values Poster’ for the Commonwealth Games.
   • Teacher prompts with questions to reinforce learning.

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Differentiation:

• Support: Use printed vocabulary cards with meanings for new terms.
• Challenge: Ask advanced learners to research a famous athlete from any Commonwealth country and explain how they embody the Games’ values.

Extension:

• Create a mini-biography of a medal-winning athlete focusing on overcoming challenges respectfully.

Assessment:

• Teacher observes group discussions and notes individual contributions to the Values Poster.
• Exit ticket: Write one sentence about one Commonwealth Games value and why it matters.

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Lesson 14: Commonwealth Countries Map Activity

Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Curricular area: Geography
National Curriculum England links:

• Locate countries and describe features (KS2 Geography)
• Use maps, atlases, globes and digital/computer mapping (KS2 Geography)

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WALT:

• Locate Commonwealth countries on a world map.
• Understand geographical diversity within the Commonwealth.

Success Criteria:

• I can identify at least 10 Commonwealth countries on a map.
• I can describe different features of these countries (climate, landmarks).
• I can explain what diversity means in relation to geography.

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Lesson Structure:

1. Starter (5 mins):

   • Recap: Ask students to name any Commonwealth countries they know.

2. Main Activity (35 mins):

   • Dyslexia-friendly large world map handout with Africa, Asia, Caribbean, Europe, Oceania highlighted distinctively.
   • Interactive ‘pin the country’ game on an enlarged map on the board.
   • Students receive a laminated card with one country name and must find and place it on the map.
   • In pairs, students research one assigned country using tablets/books and complete a fact-file sheet (flag, capital, climate, one cultural fact).
   • Writing frames provided for students needing support.

3. Plenary (10 mins):

   • Each pair presents their fact file.
   • Class discusses how the countries differ and what common links they share as Commonwealth nations.

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Differentiation:

• Support: Use country fact cards with pictures for visual learners and literacy support.
• Challenge: Have advanced learners compare two countries and discuss geographical contrasts.

Extension:

• Design a travel brochure for a chosen Commonwealth country using information gathered.

Assessment:

• Teacher reviews fact files for accuracy and understanding.
• Oral presentations assess comprehension and communication.

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Lesson 15: Maths – Medal Statistics & Data Handling

Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Curricular area: Maths
National Curriculum England links:

• Interpret and present data using appropriate graphical methods, including bar charts and pictograms (KS2 Maths - Statistics)
• Solve problems involving information presented in scaled bar charts and pictograms

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WALT:

• Interpret and create data presentations based on Commonwealth Games medal statistics.
• Use bar charts and pictograms to represent data.

Success Criteria:

• I can read information from bar charts and pictograms.
• I can create a bar chart and pictogram from given data.
• I can explain findings from the data.

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Lesson Structure:

1. Starter (10 mins):

   • Recap key vocabulary: data, tally, pictogram, bar chart, scale.
   • Use a dyslexia-friendly data sheet showing medals won by some Commonwealth countries.

2. Main Activity (30 mins):

   • Group activity: Each group receives a data set with medal counts for 5 countries.
   • Students create both a bar chart and a pictogram on large paper, with teacher support as needed (rulers, symbol keys).
   • Class discussion on which countries won most medals and why visualising data helps understand information.

3. Plenary (10 mins):

   • Question/discussion on trends - “Which country surprised you? Why?”
   • Exit slip: Write one question they could ask from the data and answer it.

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Differentiation:

• Support: Use templates for pictograms and bar charts with pre-drawn axes. Large font and colour coding for clarity.
• Challenge: Have advanced learners calculate percentage medals per country or interpret more complex data sets.

Extension:

• Create a survey about favourite Commonwealth sports among classmates and present data similarly.

Assessment:

• Review completed charts for accuracy and presentation.
• Check exit slips for correct reasoning.

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Lesson 16: Creative Writing – The Spirit of the Games

Duration: 50 minutes
Class size: 25 students
Curricular area: English - Writing
National Curriculum England links:

• Develop positive attitudes towards and stamina for writing by writing for different purposes (KS2 English)
• Use paragraphs to organise ideas around a theme (KS2 Writing)

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WALT:

• Write a descriptive story inspired by the spirit of the Commonwealth Games.
• Use paragraphs and descriptive language to convey feelings and ideas.

Success Criteria:

• I can write a short story with a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• I use descriptive vocabulary to show emotions and setting.
• I organise my writing into paragraphs.

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Lesson Structure:

1. Starter (10 mins):

   • Read an adapted dyslexia-friendly story about a young athlete at the Commonwealth Games focusing on feelings and values.
   • Discuss key emotions and what ‘the spirit of the Games’ means.

2. Main Activity (30 mins):

   • Planning sheet to structure story ideas (Who? Where? What happens?).
   • Write a story about experiencing the Commonwealth Games (either as an athlete or spectator).
   • Use a word bank with emotive and sport-related vocabulary provided.

3. Plenary (10 mins):

   • Share stories in pairs or small groups.
   • Reflect on how the Games inspire positive feelings and determination.

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Differentiation:

• Support: Writing frames with sentence starters and paragraph prompts.
• Challenge: Include dialogue in stories or write from different points of view.

Extension:

• Rewrite the story as a poem or a diary entry.

Assessment:

• Use a simple marking grid focused on paragraph organisation, vocabulary use, and clarity.
• Peer feedback session to develop editing skills.

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Summary Notes for Teachers:

• Dyslexia-friendly tips: Use sans-serif fonts, bullet points, visuals, colour coding, and uncluttered handouts.
• Assessment strategies: Mix of observational, oral, written, and peer/self-assessment for varied learning styles.
• Differentiation: Focus on scaffolding for less confident learners and extension tasks for advanced pupils.
• Curriculum links: Clear alignment with KS2 National Curriculum for England in History, Geography, Maths, and English.

This diverse week challenges pupils across different skills while embedding rich Commonwealth Games content relevant to their age and context. The activities promote curiosity, respect, and broad understanding consistent with national standards and engaging teaching practice.