Summary

The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to explore different types of balance. Throughout the majority of the lesson, they will work with a partner, building up trust as well as improving their communication and choreography skills. This lesson can be adapted for all years within KS3, although in its present format is more appropriate for year 8 or 9 students. It provides an ideal starting point for a block of work based around a similar topic.

Objectives

• Students are taught how to use a partner to perform a variety of balances safely
• Students can some understanding of the aesthetic qualities required in gymnastics
• Students begin to develop short sequences where partner balances are the main focus

Learning outcomes

By the end of the lesson students will know

• how to get into and out of partner balances safely
• how to link balances together using travel actions
• what makes a good sequences and why

Prior learning required

It would be beneficial, although not essential, if students had some experience and concept of the following:

• travelling and rolling
• individual balances
• direction, pathways and levels
• linking simple moves
• getting mats out safely

Timings

Introductory explanation and warm-up - 10 minutes
Main session - 30 minutes
Plenary and cool-down - 10 minutes

Suggestions for differentiation

Less able students

• Guide them towards less complex balances. Most will automatically sway towards these anyway.
• Ask them to link fewer balances together.
• Do not insist on them using as many levels or changes of direction.

More able students

• Link more balances together.
• Insist that they must have a change of level and direction after every balance.
• Give them specific actions that they must include eg cartwheels, backward rolls, headstands