Commonwealth Games Week 3

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Lesson 9: History and Values of the Commonwealth Games

Duration: 50 minutes
Class: Primary 5 (Year 5)
Class size: 25 students

National Curriculum Links

• History: Pupils should be taught about changes in Britain from the Stone Age to the Iron Age and beyond, developing understanding of historical concepts such as continuity, cause and consequence. (England - History Programme of Study: Key Stage 2)
• PSHE (Personal, Social, Health and Economic Education): Understanding values such as fairness, respect, and equality within society.

WALT

We Are Learning To understand the history and core values of the Commonwealth Games.

Success Criteria

• I can explain when and why the Commonwealth Games started.
• I can identify key values such as friendship, equality, and respect.
• I can describe how the Games promote cooperation among nations.

Resources

• Dyslexia-friendly texts about the Commonwealth Games history (with clear fonts, short paragraphs, and bullet points).
• Timeline posters.
• Video excerpt (3-4 mins) about the origins of the Games.
• Worksheet with comprehension questions and key vocabulary support.

Lesson Activities

1. Starter (10 mins)

   • Brief class discussion: What do you already know about the Commonwealth Games?
   • Show video clip on the origin of the Games.
   • Highlight important dates and facts using timeline posters.

2. Main Activity (30 mins)

   • Read together a dyslexia-friendly text about the Commonwealth Games' history and values.
   • Highlight and discuss new vocabulary (e.g., Commonwealth, equality, respect).
   • In pairs, pupils answer comprehension questions on the worksheet.
   • Whole-class feedback with pupil contributions.

3. Plenary (10 mins)

   • Quick quiz game using Kahoot or mini whiteboards on key facts and values.
   • Reflection: Which value do you think is most important and why?

Differentiation

• For lower ability: Use key vocabulary cards and visual prompts; work in paired reading groups.
• For higher ability: Encourage research to find out about famous Commonwealth Games athletes or key moments.

Extension

• Create a short poster illustrating one of the Games’ values with a slogan.

Assessment

• Informal assessment through quiz responses and participation.
• Review answers on worksheet to check understanding.

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Lesson 10: Geography - The Commonwealth Countries

Duration: 45 minutes
Class: Primary 5 (Year 5)
Class size: 25 students

National Curriculum Links

• Geography: Locate the world’s countries, focusing on Europe, North and South America, and understand geographical similarities and differences. (England - Geography Programme of Study: Key Stage 2)
• Learn about human geography relating to communities and diversity.

WALT

We Are Learning To locate Commonwealth countries on a world map and compare their cultures.

Success Criteria

• I can identify at least 10 Commonwealth countries on a map.
• I can explain what makes the Commonwealth diverse.
• I can describe one cultural aspect from a Commonwealth country.

Resources

• Large world map (physical or digital).
• Colour-coded Commonwealth countries map.
• Country fact cards (dyslexia-friendly with icons and photos).
• Worksheet to record findings.

Lesson Activities

1. Starter (5 mins)

   • Recap key facts about the Commonwealth from last lesson.
   • Show the world map and point out the UK as the Games’ origin.

2. Main Activity (30 mins)

   • Introduce colour-coded Commonwealth countries on the map.
   • In groups of 3-4, distribute fact cards about assigned countries.
   • Pupils locate their countries and record interesting cultural facts on the worksheet.
   • Share findings with the class.

3. Plenary (10 mins)

   • Class discussion: How do the cultures differ and what similarities exist?
   • Vote on the most surprising fact learned.

Differentiation

• For lower ability: Use fewer countries or visual matching activities with flags and country shapes.
• For higher ability: Research population, languages spoken, or capital cities for their countries.

Extension

• Design a mini travel brochure for a Commonwealth country, including attractions and cultural highlights.

Assessment

• Collect and review worksheets for geographical accuracy and detail.

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Lesson 11: Maths - Measuring Performance

Duration: 50 minutes
Class: Primary 5 (Year 5)
Class size: 25 students

National Curriculum Links

• Mathematics: Measurement: Convert between different units of metric measure. Solve problems involving converting units. (England - Mathematics Programme of Study: Key Stage 2)
• Interpret and present data using bar charts and tables.

WALT

We Are Learning To convert metric units and interpret sports performance data.

Success Criteria

• I can convert between metres and centimetres accurately.
• I can read and interpret data related to athlete performances.
• I can present performance data in a bar chart.

Resources

• Athlete performance data sheets (times, distances, heights) from Commonwealth events.
• Metric conversion charts.
• Graph paper or digital tools for bar charts.
• Dyslexia-friendly data tables with colour coding.

Lesson Activities

1. Starter (10 mins)

   • Review metric units: metres, centimetres, seconds.
   • Practice simple conversions (e.g., 150 cm = 1.5 m).

2. Main Activity (30 mins)

   • Provide data about sprint times and long jump distances from Commonwealth Games athletes.
   • Pupils complete conversion exercises (e.g., cm to m) and organise data into tables.
   • Create bar charts representing this data.

3. Plenary (10 mins)

   • Pupils explain one conversion or data pattern they noticed.
   • Self-assessment: Did I complete all conversions and draw the chart carefully?

Differentiation

• For lower ability: Use smaller data sets and conversion worksheets with step-by-step guides.
• For higher ability: Challenge pupils to calculate differences between performances or averages.

Extension

• Research personal bests of Commonwealth athletes and calculate improvement over time.

Assessment

• Collect charts and conversions for marking accuracy.
• Observe explanations during plenary for understanding.

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Lesson 12: English – Persuasive Writing: Supporting the Commonwealth Games

Duration: 45 minutes
Class: Primary 5 (Year 5)
Class size: 25 students

National Curriculum Links

• English: Writing: Plan, draft, and write for a range of purposes, including persuasive writing. Use paragraphs and persuasive devices. (England - English Programme of Study: Key Stage 2)
• Developing vocabulary and editing writing.

WALT

We Are Learning To write a persuasive letter supporting the Commonwealth Games.

Success Criteria

• I can use persuasive language to convince the reader.
• I can organise my writing into paragraphs.
• I can include reasons and examples to support my arguments.

Resources

• Dyslexia-friendly writing templates with sentence starters.
• Examples of persuasive letters (short and clear).
• Word bank of persuasive language (because, therefore, exciting, important).
• Checklist for self-assessment.

Lesson Activities

1. Starter (10 mins)

   • Read and discuss a model persuasive letter about why the Commonwealth Games are important.
   • Highlight persuasive words and phrases.

2. Main Activity (25 mins)

   • Plan own letter using template: Introduction, reasons, conclusion.
   • Write first draft with support from word bank and sentence starters.
   • Peer review in pairs, focusing on clarity and persuasive devices.

3. Plenary (10 mins)

   • Share a few persuasive sentences with the class.
   • Complete self-assessment using the checklist.

Differentiation

• For lower ability: Oral storytelling before writing, smaller chunks of writing and scribed support.
• For higher ability: Challenge to include rhetorical questions and emotive language.

Extension

• Turn the letter into a poster or speech to present to the class.

Assessment

• Mark letters against success criteria for content, structure, and language.
• Use peer and teacher feedback to guide improvements.

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This detailed four-lesson sequence interweaves history, geography, maths, and English skills through the culturally rich and inspiring theme of the Commonwealth Games, whilst adhering closely to the National Curriculum for England and embedding differentiation and dyslexia-friendly strategies.