Communication Challenges

Context and Brief Overview

This is Lesson 2 of 4 in the unit "Listen, Team, Succeed!" targeting Year 5 students (age 9-10) in Physical Education. The lesson emphasises collaborative communication, trust-building, and clarity within teams through structured physical activities and reflective discussion. Students will develop key skills of active listening and clear verbal instruction aligned with the Curriculum for Excellence physical education benchmarks.

Curriculum for Excellence Links

Level: Early Level 2 / Level 3 (Age 9-10) PE experiences and outcomes
Relevant Experiences and Outcomes:

Physical Education: HWB 2-25a
I am learning to work well with others and to organise myself effectively when undertaking activities with others
Health and Wellbeing: HWB 2-23a
I am developing my physical coordination and control through a range of activities and understand the importance of working safely with others
Health and Wellbeing: HWB 2-26a
I recognise ways in which I am similar to and different from others, and I understand how this promotes respect and teamwork

Skills Focus:

Communication and teamwork
Trust and collaboration
Risk awareness and safety

Learning Intentions

By the end of this session, learners will:

Demonstrate improved verbal communication and active listening skills in team situations.
Understand the role of trust and clarity in preventing misunderstandings during physical tasks.
Successfully complete paired trust-building activities that require clear, precise communication.
Reflect on the importance of effective communication for safety and success within teams.

Success Criteria

I can give and follow clear verbal instructions to my partner.
I listen carefully and ask questions if I do not understand.
I work with my partner in ways that show trust and respect.
I can explain how clear communication helps keep us safe and succeed as a team.

Resources Needed

Cones to mark activity boundaries
Blindfolds (one per pair)
Soft beanbags or lightweight balls
Printed activity instruction cards
Reflection prompt cards

Lesson Structure

1. Introduction and Warm-Up (8 minutes)

Gather students in a circle and brief them on the focus: “Today, we are going to practise communicating clearly to work as a team and build trust.”
Quick icebreaker: "Telephone Game" - whisper a sentence around the circle to highlight how messages can get confused without clear communication.
Gentle dynamic warm-up including stretches and movement to prepare for paired activities (e.g. jogging, arm circles, leg swings).
Link warm-up to lesson focus: "We warm up so our bodies are ready, just like we warm up our communication muscles with clear speaking and listening."

2. Main Activity: Paired Trust and Communication Challenges (25 minutes)

Set up: Students in pairs; assign roles (Leader and Guide). Explain roles rotate after each challenge.

Challenge 1: Blindfold Obstacle Navigation (12 minutes)

One partner is blindfolded; the other guides verbally around a simple obstacle course using cones and beanbags.
Emphasise clear, calm, concise instructions (“Step left two paces”, “Slow down”, “Turn right now”).
After completion, partners switch roles.

Success Criteria reflected here: Active listening and giving clear verbal instructions.

Challenge 2: Beanbag Relay with Verbal Cues (13 minutes)

Partners stand facing each other, one behind a cone at 3 metres distance.
Guide (without gestures) the partner to catch a tossed beanbag by predicting movement (“Move two steps right”, “Reach up higher”).
Swap roles. This develops anticipation, clarity, and trust in partner's instructions.

3. Group Reflection and Discussion (10 minutes)

Regather students in a seated circle.
Use reflection prompt cards:
- What made it easier or harder to communicate clearly?
- How did it feel to trust your partner?
- What could happen if communication isn’t clear during physical activities?
Link discussion to safety: misunderstandings can cause accidents; clear communication helps avoid these.
Teacher models a reflection linking back to HWB 2-25a and HWB 2-23a by explaining how it felt to trust and be trusted and how working safely depends on this.

Assessment and Evidence

Formative assessment: Observe paired activities focusing on clarity of verbal instructions, listening skills, and cooperative interaction. Use a simple checklist for participation and communication effectiveness.
Self-assessment: Students complete a traffic light card system (Green = I communicated well, Amber = I sometimes needed help, Red = I found it hard to communicate).
Peer feedback: Partners provide one positive comment on each other’s communication.

Differentiation and Support

Provide sentence starters on cards for students who struggle to give instructions (“Please step…”, “Turn left when…”)
For students needing physical support, allow them to be “Guide” first to build confidence.
Challenge extension: Encourage confident pairs to complete obstacle with eyes open but no verbal communication – using only verbal hints minimally to highlight importance of communication.

Health and Safety Considerations

Clear briefing about safe use of blindfold (avoid dizziness; stop activity immediately if uncomfortable).
Make sure obstacle course is free from hazards and soft surfaces used where possible.
Emphasise respect and gentle movement to prevent accidental bumps.

Homework Suggestion (Optional)

Ask students to keep a “Communication Diary” for the week, noting one time they listened carefully or gave clear instructions at home or in play, reflecting on how it helped the team succeed.

This lesson plan offers concrete, active, and reflective opportunities to develop vital lifelong skills within a physically dynamic and engaging context, directly linking to Scottish Curriculum for Excellence aspirations for well-rounded and confident learners.

Teaching Instructions