Prior Skills: The students have an appropriate understanding of the fundamental movement skills of running, jumping and throwing. This is a mixed ability class where all students will continue to improve their personal development. It is expected that there will also be a mixed ability when the skills of balancing, transferring weight and rolling are introduced.

 

Prior Attitudes: This class have a positive attitude towards P.E. and most students work well together as a group. There are a few students who need further encouragement to engage fully and appropriately.

This structured six week block of Gymnastics will allow the students to explore, create, demonstrate and achieve in a range of both individual and group activities. Due to the overall holistic approach of this module, it has been decided that students will complete their first classroom-based assessment at the end of this six week period. 

The classroom-based assessment provides groups with a ‘task’ to focus on. Students will work cooperatively to achieve personal and shared objectives as the fulfil different team roles each week. Having completed a module in gymnastics last year, I have been informed that there is an extremely mixed ability among the students. The model of Cooperative Learning with allow students to learn with and from each other (Luttrell & Chambers, 2013) as students of mixed ability work together while working towards a common goal. 

The main body of the lesson will introduce the skills to be explored, and provide an opportunity for discovery and demonstration. As recommended by the JCPE website, the majority of skills and movements will be introduced using a problem-solving approach with a directive input where necessary (NCCA, 2004). New skills will be introduced to students using the learning wall where they will practice in both pairs and groups each week. Various tasks will be set out to challenge students at both an individual and group capacity. 

Each lesson will conclude with students having the opportunity to create a sequence using all skills that are covered, gradually improving their physical literacy over the six week period. Following this, there will be cool down completed and a set time allocated for group reflection on the lesson and the completion of an exit card. Students will engage in discussion with both the teacher and their peers as they provide feedback on the lesson completed.

During the six weeks, the teacher will use open-questioning and feedback as a method of assessing the students. The students’ performance in each class will be compared to the features of quality for each learning outcome and constructive feedback will be given where necessary.

Students will complete peer-assessment on a weekly basis and a self-assessment both at the beginning and at the end of the six week scheme. While working in pairs, students will be encouraged to assess their partner’s performance of a variety of skills and movements. While completing the self-assessment worksheet, students will assess their own ability to execute a range of skills. 

Worksheets and task cards will be used throughout the scheme, and these will provide students with clear criteria to compare their progress with over the six weeks. Groups will complete a reflective worksheet at the end of each lesson to promote effective group processing and reflect on individual and group contribution during tasks. 

Students will complete their first classroom-based assessment at the end of this six week scheme. Students’ performance in a group sequence will be assessed and compared against the features of quality available for gymnastics.

Both a formative and summative approach to assessment is being taken for this module to ensure all students have an opportunity to experience success and receive constructive feedback from both their teacher and their peers.

Group Reflection Placemat: 

 

Staying Well: Students will develop an awareness for safety and responsibility throughout this six week period as they engage in a range of activities. Students will be challenged to be physically active and develop their knowledge and skills in the areas being covered.

 

Communicating: Students will develop their communication skills as they learn to provide good feedback to their peers. Along with this, students will learn to communicate as part of a group where opinion and difference is respected. 

Being Creative: Students will be encouraged to be creative as they create and demonstrate numerous sequences over the six weeks.

Working with Others: Students will work with partners and in groups throughout this scheme. Students will develop good relationships with their peers and cooperate during all group activities. Students will provide support to their peers as they complete the module.

Equipment used in this scheme include: Gymnastic mats, benches, hula hoops, bibs, cones, beanbags and fitness ladders.