Gliding and Coasting

Lesson Overview

Unit: Strider Bike Adventures (Lesson 3 of 7)
Year Group: Kindergarten (Early Years Foundation Stage - EYFS)
Curriculum Area: Physical Education (PE)
Time Duration: 30 minutes
Class Size: 16 students

EYFS Development Goals

This lesson aligns with the EYFS Physical Development area, specifically:

• Gross Motor Skills: Developing balance, coordination, and control.
• Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Building confidence and risk-taking skills.
• Understanding the World: Exploring movement and forces through hands-on experience.

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Learning Objectives

By the end of this lesson, students will:

1. Demonstrate the ability to push off using their feet while maintaining balance on the strider bike.
2. Coast for short distances, keeping their feet off the ground.
3. Control their speed by adjusting how they push off and when to place their feet back down.
4. Follow safety rules when riding near peers.

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Resources Needed

• 16 strider balance bikes
• Cones to mark boundaries and pathways
• Chalk or tape for track markings
• Visual prompt cards with simple instructions (e.g., "Push", "Glide", "Stop")
• A whistle

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Lesson Structure

1. Warm-Up (5 Minutes)

Activity: Movement Imitation

• Gather students in a circle. Ask them to copy different movement patterns related to riding (e.g., walking in place, long strides to mimic pushing, standing still like balancing).
• Call out cues such as:
  • "Big steps to push!" (Students take exaggerated steps forward)
  • "Lift feet to glide!" (Students freeze in a ‘pretend’ glide position)
  • "Feet down to stop!" (Students plant both feet on the ground)
• This helps them build familiarity with key motions before getting on the bikes.

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2. Introduction to Gliding and Coasting (5 Minutes)

Explaining the Skill with a Demonstration

• Show students how to:
  1. Start by walking their bike forward using small, controlled steps.
  2. Build momentum by taking longer push steps.
  3. Once comfortable, lift their feet for a short glide.
• Emphasise that the longer they push, the longer they can glide.

⚠ Safety Check: Ensure helmets are securely fastened before getting on the bikes.

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3. Main Activity: Glide and Coast Challenge (15 Minutes)

Step 1: Practising Pushing and Lifting Feet (7 Minutes)

• Students ride in pairs, taking turns to glide.
• Mark a starting cone and an ending cone (around 3 metres apart).
• Each student:
  1. Pushes off using their feet for 3-4 steps.
  2. Lifts their feet as they roll towards the end cone.
  3. Places feet down to stop safely.
• Encourage them to challenge themselves by gliding a little longer each round.

Step 2: ‘How Far Can You Glide?’ Game (8 Minutes)

• Set up three different coloured stopping zones using chalk or tape:
  • Red Zone (1 metre glide) – Beginner
  • Blue Zone (2 metres glide) – Intermediate
  • Green Zone (3+ metres glide) – Challenge!
• Each student takes a turn, aiming to reach a further zone each time.
• Celebrate improvements and effort rather than distance for confidence-building.

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4. Cool-Down and Review (5 Minutes)

Activity: Reflect and Stretch

• Students place their bikes side by side and gather for discussion.
• Ask guiding questions:
  • "What made you glide further?"
  • "How did you keep your balance?"
  • "What should you do if you start to wobble?"
• Lead a gentle stretching exercise, using prompts like:
  • "Stretch up tall like you're gliding into the sky."
  • "Shake your legs as if slowing down like a bike stopping."

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Assessment and Differentiation

Assessment for Learning (AFL) Strategies

• Observation: Monitor students’ balance and control as they glide.
• Peer Feedback: Encourage students to share what went well for their partners.
• Self-Reflection: Have students use a thumbs-up or ‘wiggly-hand’ signal to show their confidence level.

Differentiation Strategies

• For Less Confident Riders: Mark shorter distances and allow them to keep one foot lightly touching the ground.
• For More Confident Riders: Challenge them to glide for extended distances or steer through a simple zigzag path.

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• What worked well?
• Were students engaged and confident?
• Do any students need additional support next session?
• Adjustments for the next lesson?

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Looking Ahead

In Lesson 4, students will begin basic steering and turning while gliding. Continue building confidence and reinforcing safe riding habits!

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This highly structured yet playful lesson ensures young learners develop balance and control in a way that feels engaging and motivating. 🚲💨