Mastering Skipping Skills

Overview

This Year 2 Physical Education lesson focuses on skipping, developing fundamental movement and coordination skills as per the UK’s National Curriculum for PE at Key Stage 1. The aim is to promote physical literacy, resilience, and teamwork through engaging and progressive skipping activities.

This 25-minute session caters to the developmental needs of children aged 6-7, all whilst fostering a fun and positive learning environment.

---

National Curriculum Link

Curriculum Area: Physical Education – Key Stage 1
Focus: Fundamental Movement Skills – "Pupils should develop balance, agility, and coordination, and begin to apply these in a range of activities."

---

Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, pupils will be able to:

• Perform basic skipping skills with control and timing (individual skipping).
• Work collaboratively within groups to complete skipping-related challenges.
• Demonstrate perseverance and a positive attitude towards skill improvement.

---

Resources and Equipment

• 15 skipping ropes (half the class shares in pairs).
• Cones to set up activity stations.
• Whistle or a bell for transitions.
• Stickers or certificates for effort and participation (optional).

---

Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up – Energising Movements (5 minutes)

• Objective: Prepare pupils physically and mentally for activity, increase heart rate, and engage core muscles.
• Activity Instructions:
  1. Gather pupils into a large circle, spaced evenly apart.
  2. Lead them through skipping-style warm-ups (no ropes, focus on foot patterns):
     • Bunny Hops: Jumping forward and backward, landing on two feet.
     • Heel Taps: Tap heels quickly in front.
     • High Knees: Lift knees high as if stepping in place.
  3. Finish with arm stretches and shoulder rolls (“Get your skipping arms ready!”).

2. Skipping Basics – Learning the Technique (7 minutes)

• Objective: Introduce and practise individual skipping.
• Activity Instructions:
  1. Allocate one skipping rope per two pupils (pairs take turns). Begin without the skipping ropes to break down the movement:
     • “Pretend to hold a skipping rope. Now spin your wrists forward and jump as it swings under you."
     • Emphasise timing and soft landings. Encourage them to keep trying.
  2. Pupils now practise with ropes. Start with these variations:
     • Swing & Step Over: Swing the rope over and step over it carefully.
     • 1 Skip & Stop: Swing the rope, jump once, and stop before repeating.
  3. Monitor the class to give positive feedback and correct basic errors (e.g., rhythm or rope position).

3. Stations – Fun Skipping Challenges (10 minutes)

• Objective: Refine skipping skills in a variety of enjoyable and progressive activities.

• Set Up: Divide the class into 5 groups, rotating every 2 minutes:

  • Station 1 – Skipping Relay: Pupils skip a short distance and hand off to the next teammate.
  • Station 2 – Jump Count Challenge: Count how many skips each pupil can do in 20 seconds.
  • Station 3 – Cross the River: Lay down cones to mark a "river" that pupils skip across.
  • Station 4 – Partner Spin: One pupil swings the rope while a partner jumps in.
  • Station 5 – Creative Skipping: Pupils try skipping patterns like side-to-side or one-foot hops.

• Use a whistle or clap signal to rotate stations.

4. Cool Down & Reflection – Stretch and Discuss (3 minutes)

• Objective: Gradually lower heart rate and encourage children to reflect on the activity.
• Activity Instructions:
  1. Circle up on the floor. Lead a gentle cooldown with stretches, focusing on arms, legs, and shoulders.
  2. Ask reflective questions:
     • "What skipping skill did you find easiest today?"
     • "What was tricky, and how did you keep trying?"
  3. Acknowledge individual and group achievements ("Wow, I loved how you all supported your teammates at the relay station!").

---

Differentiation Strategies

• Support: For pupils struggling with coordination, provide a partner to help hold the rope or shorten the length of the rope. Alternatively, allow them to practise without ropes until confident.
• Challenge: Encourage more advanced pupils to try double skips or alternate-foot skipping.

---

Assessment Opportunities

• Observe pupils to identify coordination development and active participation.
• Look for evidence of resilience and teamwork during group activities.

---

Teacher’s Reflection

• Were pupils engaged and motivated throughout the session?
• Did the challenge stations provide enough progression for different ability levels?
• Were there opportunities to celebrate achievements and improvement?

---

This lesson not only develops skipping skills but also builds confidence, teamwork, and perseverance, making Physical Education both exciting and meaningful for Year 2 children.