Developing Jumping Skills

Curriculum Focus

This physical education (PE) lesson aligns with the Key Stage 1 (KS1) objectives outlined in the National Curriculum for Physical Education in England, specifically:

Pupils should develop fundamental movement skills, become increasingly confident and competent, and extend their agility, balance, and coordination, individually and with others. Pupils should engage in competitive and co-operative physical activities, in a range of increasingly challenging situations.

Focus: Enhancing jumping skills with an emphasis on control, coordination, and confidence.

Lesson Objectives

By the end of the 35-minute lesson, pupils will:

1. Demonstrate a variety of jumping techniques with balanced landings and control.
2. Build strength and coordination in basic jumping movements.
3. Apply skills in fun, engaging activities tailored to their age and development level.

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Equipment Needed

• Coloured cones or markers
• 15 beanbags
• 4 skipping ropes (used as lines or boundaries)
• Music player (optional for energising music)
• 2 small hoops

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up: “Animal Jumps” (5 minutes)

This activity draws on imagination to engage children while increasing their heart rate and preparing their muscles for jumping-specific activities.

1. Instructions:

   • Gather the pupils in a semi-circle and ask them to move around in the marked space (using cones to delineate a safe area).
   • Call out an animal, and the children must imitate how that animal would jump. Examples:
     • Frogs: Crouch low and jump forward with big, springy leaps.
     • Kangaroos: Bounce continuously with little effort.
     • Rabbits: Use small, quick hops with hands tucked like “paws.”
     • Birds: Hop with arms flapping like wings.
     • Crickets: Jump high and land on their toes.
   • Change the animal every 30-45 seconds.

2. Debrief:

   • Ask the pupils which animal felt the hardest or the most fun to imitate.
   • Stretch calves and ankles briefly to ensure they are ready for more jumping.

Skill focus: Dynamic warm-up, proprioception, and multi-directional movement.

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2. Skill Development: “Jump Stations” (15 minutes)

Divide the pupils into 3 groups of 5 children each. Set up three stations, rotating every 5 minutes.

1. Station 1: Straight Line Jumps

   • Lay down skipping ropes or chalk lines on the floor.
   • Pupils jump with two feet forward and then backward along the line.
   • Challenge: Can they jump side to side over the line? Ask them to count how many jumps they can do in 20 seconds.

2. Station 2: Beanbag Hopscotch

   • Use beanbags as markers and create a hopscotch pattern.
   • Pupils practice hopping on one foot and jumping with two feet alternately, as the pattern requires.
   • Encourage soft, quiet landings to promote control.

3. Station 3: Leap Like a Star!

   • Pupils start in a crouched position, jump as high as they can, and stretch their arms and legs out into a “star shape” mid-air.
   • Focus on a soft, balanced landing with bent knees.
   • Variation: Add a clap above their head before landing for timing practice.

Skill focus: Explosive power, mid-air body control, and balanced landings.

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3. Application Game: “Treasure Hunt Jumps” (10 minutes)

Interactive game to consolidate jumping skills in a fun and engaging way.

1. Setup:

   • Mark a boundary with cones to define the game area.
   • Scatter beanbags (“treasure”) and hoops (“islands”) throughout the space.
   • To reach the treasure, pupils must jump from island to island without “falling into the ocean.”

2. Instructions:

   • Assign each group to start in a different area of the space. One at a time, pupils jump towards the treasure by leaping into the hoops.
   • If they land outside the hoop, they must return to the beginning and try again.
   • Once they collect a beanbag, they return to the start and pass it to the next teammate in their group.
   • Encourage variety in jumping styles (e.g., one game round using two-footed jumps, another with one-footed leaps).

3. Reflection:

   • Pause halfway through to ask, “What makes a good landing?”
   • At the end, count the number of treasures collected and celebrate effort and teamwork.

Skill focus: Controlled jumping, spatial awareness, and teamwork in a competitive setting.

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4. Cool Down: “Snowflake Falls” (5 minutes)

Wind down the session with a calming, imaginative exercise that reinforces body control.

1. Ask pupils to spread out around the space and crouch down like a snowflake starting in the clouds.
2. On your signal, pupils slowly rise up, stretch their arms to the sky, and then gently “fall” to the ground like a snowflake landing on soft snow. Encourage them to focus on soft, quiet movements.
3. Repeat 3-4 times, breathing deeply as they rise and fall.

Skill focus: Relaxation, gentle stretching, and practising body control in slow motion.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe pupils during warm-up and skill stations for balance, coordination, and control in their jumping technique.
• Provide specific feedback such as, “Great job bending your knees when you landed!”
• Celebrate effort and improvement, especially during the Treasure Hunt game.

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Differentiation

• For pupils needing additional support:
  • Shorten the distances for the jumping tasks.
  • Allow them to hold onto the edge of a hoop for support if needed.
• For advanced pupils:
  • Challenge them to jump with a twist mid-air or to hop on one leg for the entirety of an activity.

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Teacher Notes

• Reinforce safe landings with bent knees and quiet feet throughout the lesson.
• Use positive reinforcement and encourage cheering for teammates during group tasks.
• Review jumping skills briefly in the next lesson to reinforce learning.

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Reflection for Next Lesson

Ask pupils to think about other ways jumping helps us in daily life or other sports. Use their answers to extend their understanding of jumping in future sessions.