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Big Question

How can I use my hands and body to pick up, carry and thread objects with control and precision?

Learning Objectives

  • Develop fine motor control through picking up and carrying objects
  • Practice hand-eye coordination through threading activities
  • Learn to take turns and share equipment cooperatively

Key Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate improved control when picking up and carrying objects
  • Students will show better hand-eye coordination in threading tasks
  • Students will work cooperatively, taking turns and encouraging teammates

Equipment & Resources Required

Elastic Bands
55 per group

Place in hoops 20m from starting positions

Alternative: Hair ties, rubber bands

Small Beakers
1 per pair (15)

Place by students' feet at starting line

Alternative: Plastic bottles, small containers

Coloured Cones
5 sets of 5 different colours (25 total)

Starting cones at team positions, collection cones 20m away

Alternative: Coloured bean bags, blocks

Curtain Rings with Attached Strings
1 long piece per pair (15)

Tie large knot in one end, place by students' feet

Alternative: Shoelaces, ribbon

Straws
100+ cut to 6cm lengths

Place in hoops 20m from starting positions

Alternative: Macaroni pasta, large beads

Plastic Cones
1 per pair (15)

Distribute at start of egg and spoon activity

Alternative: Large serving spoons, wooden spoons

Game Balls
1 per pair (15)

Keep extras available for replacements

Alternative: Golf balls, bean bags

Large Bolts
50+ suitable for threading

Place in hoops 20m from starting positions

Alternative: Large buttons, curtain rings

Hoops
6-8 for equipment storage

Position around activity areas for equipment

Alternative: Buckets, containers

Key Vocabulary

Control

Moving your body or objects carefully and with purpose

Threading

Putting one object through another, like thread through a needle

Balance

Keeping something steady and not letting it fall

Cooperation

Working together and helping each other

Precision

Being very careful and accurate with your movements

Skill Progression Pathway

Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going

Prior Learning

  • Basic running and jumping movements
  • Simple object manipulation
  • Following basic instructions

Current Skills

  • Controlled picking up and carrying
  • Hand-eye coordination for threading
  • Cooperative turn-taking

Next Steps

  • More complex manipulation tasks
  • Competitive relay activities
  • Advanced cooperative challenges

Milestone Indicators

1
Consistent control when carrying objects
2
Successful threading with minimal drops
3
Positive team interactions

Key Teaching Points

  • Hand control and precision are skills that improve with practice
  • Cooperation and encouragement are as important as individual skill
  • Different people find different activities challenging - celebrate all progress
  • Threading and manipulation skills connect to many real-life activities
  • Taking turns and sharing equipment builds community
  • Persistence with challenges leads to improvement
  • Good technique is more important than speed

Common Misconceptions

  • Faster is always better - emphasise control over speed
  • Only perfect attempts count - celebrate improvement and effort
  • Competition means not helping others - promote supportive competition
  • Dropping objects means failure - teach recovery and persistence
  • Fine motor skills can't be improved - show progress is always possible

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts, clear boundaries, regular movement opportunities
dyspraxia
  • Larger equipment, simplified instructions, extra practice time for new skills
autism spectrum
  • Clear visual schedules, consistent routines, quiet spaces available when needed
visual impairment
  • Larger, brightly coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
  • Visual demonstrations, clear gestures, written instruction cards available
physical disability
  • Adapted equipment sizes, seated options for some activities, modified distances

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Following complex instructions, using descriptive vocabulary for movements

Maths

Counting objects collected, measuring distances for activities, understanding more/less concepts

Science

Forces and motion when carrying objects, properties of materials being threaded

PSHE

Cooperation and turn-taking, encouraging others, perseverance with challenges

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Central position with clear view of all groups, move between activities to provide support

Observation Focus

Hand control technique, cooperation quality, inclusive behaviour, engagement levels

Intervention Points

Support struggling learners with technique, mediate conflicts, provide equipment assistance

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate techniques slowly first, then at normal speed. Use exaggerated movements for visibility. Celebrate different types of success.

Verbal Cues
  • •'Steady hands, take your time'
  • •'Great cooperation - keep encouraging!'
  • •'Show me your careful control'
  • •'Help your partner succeed'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 15m for running activities

Surface Check

Even, non-slip surface clear of obstacles and hazards

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • •Check elastic bands for wear and appropriate size
  • •Ensure bolts have no sharp edges
  • •Verify threading materials are appropriate length
  • •Check ping pong balls for cracks

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • •Collisions during running activities
  • •Tripping over scattered equipment
  • •Eye injuries from elastic bands
  • •Frustration with fine motor challenges
Risk Mitigation
  • •Clear running lanes and direction indicators
  • •Immediate collection of dropped equipment
  • •Demonstration of safe elastic band handling
  • •Positive encouragement for all skill levels

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • •Position for clear view of all activity areas
  • •Monitor equipment collection areas for crowding
  • •Watch for signs of frustration with fine motor tasks
  • •Ensure inclusive participation
Emergency Procedures

Standard first aid available, clear procedures for equipment-related injuries, calm management of emotional frustration