Gymnastics Fundamentals

Lesson Overview

Year Group: Year 5
Subject: Physical Education (PE)
Unit: Gymnastics Skills Showcase (Lesson 3 of 6)
Lesson Title: Basic Tumbling Techniques
Duration: 45 minutes
Class Size: 25 students
Curriculum Link: National Curriculum for Physical Education (Key Stage 2) – Develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance through gymnastics.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Perform a controlled forward roll using correct technique.
• Execute a backward roll with support and increasing independence.
• Demonstrate an attempted or fully completed cartwheel with confidence and balance.
• Understand the importance of body control and safety in gymnastic movements.

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Success Criteria

• Students can tuck their chin and roll smoothly in a forward roll.
• Students attempt a pushing motion with their hands in a backward roll.
• Students show some form of lateral movement when attempting a cartwheel.
• Students demonstrate a safe landing and controlled movement at the end of each skill.

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Equipment Needed

• Gym mats (enough to cover a safe tumbling area)
• Cones (to mark station areas)
• Visual cue cards (with step-by-step images for each skill)
• Whistle or clap signal (for transitions)

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Objective: Prepare the body for movement, reducing injury risk.

1. Dynamic Stretches (5 minutes)

   • Arm circles, neck rolls, shoulder shrugs
   • Torso twists and side bends
   • Leg swings and ankle rotations

2. Locomotor Movements Relay (5 minutes, in teams of 5)

   • Bear crawls (to mimic tumbling motion)
   • Bunny hops (to promote explosive movement)
   • Side lunges (to mimic cartwheel positioning)

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2. Skill Demonstration & Exploration (20 minutes)

Students will rotate through three tumbling stations, spending 6 minutes per station practicing and refining techniques.

Station 1: Forward Rolls

• Demonstration: Teacher models chin tucked, rounded back, and smooth rolling motion.
• Key Teaching Points:
  • Begin in a squat position.
  • Tuck chin to chest.
  • Push gently with legs and roll in a straight line.
• Student Activity: Practice rolling on mats with a peer offering feedback. (Differentiation: More confident students attempt a roll into a standing finish.)

Station 2: Backward Rolls

• Demonstration: Teacher breaks down movements using a slow-motion step-through.
• Key Teaching Points:
  • Sit back with hands in ‘push’ position near shoulders.
  • Use momentum to roll over smoothly.
  • Land on feet with control.
• Student Activity: Supported attempt in pairs, using a partner’s hand guidance if needed. (Differentiation: More proficient students attempt with less assistance.)

Station 3: Cartwheels

• Demonstration: Slow breakdown using a cone-marked stepping guide.
• Key Teaching Points:
  • Start in a wide lunge position.
  • Hands placed on the mat in a ‘T’ shape.
  • Kick legs up and over in a sideways motion.
• Student Activity: Students attempt movement progressively, beginning with one-leg weight shifts before advancing to a full cartwheel. (Differentiation: Some students use a “half-cartwheel” technique for confidence-building.)

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3. Skill Recap & Challenge Task (10 minutes)

1. Group Discussion (3 minutes)

   • Ask students to share challenges they faced.
   • Peers offer feedback on techniques.

2. 'Tumbling Trail' Challenge (7 minutes)

   • Students perform all three skills in a linked sequence on marked mats.
   • Varied difficulty levels for different abilities (e.g., strong students can try connecting movements faster).
   • Peer encouragement is encouraged during performances.

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4. Cool-Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

1. Guided Stretching Exercises (2 minutes)

   • Child’s pose (to stretch the back)
   • Hamstring stretches (to relax legs)
   • Deep breathing exercises

2. Exit Reflection Circle (3 minutes)

   • One word to describe feelings after the lesson.
   • "What did you improve on today?” discussion.

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Assessment & Differentiation

❇ Assessment for Learning (AfL)

• Teacher observation during activities to note skill development.
• Peer feedback given in rotation groups.
• Final challenge task used to assess progression.

❇ Differentiation Strategies

• Support: Assisted rolls using peer or teacher guidance.
• Challenge: Rolling into a standing finish, incorporating a connected sequence of movements.

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Teacher Notes & Next Steps

• Lesson 4 will focus on linking tumbling sequences into short routines.
• Encourage students to set a personal challenge for the next session (e.g., refining cartwheel landing).
• Reflect on which tumbling skill needs extra consolidation time in future lessons.

End of Lesson Plan 🎉