Lesson 5 - Circuit Training: Stamina & Coordination
Fitness Fundamentals & Fun
•Year 1
•Health Related Fitness
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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How can we build our fitness stamina whilst having fun with our friends?
Learning Objectives
- To take part in a circuit to develop stamina and coordination
- To apply a range of movement skills to different activities
- To show balance and control in movements
Key Outcomes
- Students will complete a five-station fitness circuit with sustained effort
- Students will demonstrate improved coordination through varied movement patterns
- Students will encourage teammates and show supportive behaviour
Equipment & Resources Required
Place 5m from end of each apparatus line
Alternative: Markers, bean bags
Lay flat on ground with clear approach and exit
Alternative: Chalk ladder on ground, rope ladder
Various sizes for different abilities
Alternative: None - essential for hula hooping station
Spaced 1m apart in straight line
Alternative: Cones, foam blocks, ropes on ground
Appropriate length for Year 1 students
Alternative: Long ropes, ribbon streamers
For warm-up game identification
Alternative: Bibs, coloured tags
Clear pictures and simple instructions
Alternative: Visual instruction sheets
Key Vocabulary
A series of different exercise stations completed in sequence
The ability to keep working without getting too tired
Moving different parts of your body together smoothly
The correct way to perform a skill or movement
Positive words and actions that help others keep trying
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic locomotor skills - running, jumping, hopping
- Simple coordination activities
- Following instructions and working in groups
Current Skills
- Circuit training participation
- Sustained physical effort
- Complex coordination patterns
- Teamwork and encouragement
Next Steps
- Longer duration circuits
- More complex movement combinations
- Self-monitoring of effort levels
- Leadership roles in fitness activities
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maintain sustained effort throughout 2-minute work periods
- Focus on correct technique at each station for safety and effectiveness
- Encourage teammates consistently throughout the circuit
- Use controlled breathing during rest periods for better recovery
- Connect effort in PE to improvement and learning in other subjects
Common Misconceptions
- Thinking faster is always better - emphasise controlled, correct technique
- Believing fitness should be easy - help students understand that challenge means growth
- Assuming only athletic students can succeed - celebrate all effort and improvement
- Thinking competition is most important - focus on personal improvement and teamwork
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break circuit into shorter segments initially, provide clear visual boundaries, offer leadership roles
dyspraxia
- Slow down demonstrations, allow extra practice time, use larger equipment where possible
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of circuit rotation, allow practice time at each station, offer quiet space if needed
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of all activities, buddy system for guidance around circuit
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for timing, demonstrate all activities clearly, use picture cards at stations
physical disability
- Adapt activities for wheelchair users (upper body focus), modify equipment heights, provide alternative challenges
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following instructions, using descriptive vocabulary about movement and feelings
Maths
Counting work and rest periods, timing activities, measuring distances to cones
Science
Understanding how exercise affects heart rate and breathing, muscle usage in different activities
PSHE
Persistence and resilience, supporting others, working as part of a team, healthy lifestyle choices
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move continuously between stations to observe and encourage, maintain overview of whole class
Observation Focus
Monitor effort levels, technique development, and social interactions throughout circuit
Intervention Points
Step in if technique becomes unsafe, energy levels drop significantly, or social issues arise
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, slow demonstrations with emphasis on key teaching points, repeat as needed during activities
Verbal Cues
- •'Keep that rhythm going!'
- •'Soft landings, bend those knees!'
- •'Encourage your teammates!'
- •'Two feet in each square!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 20m x 15m
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, clear of obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Ladders laid flat and secure
- •Hurdles appropriate height for Year 1 students
- •Skipping ropes appropriate length
- •Hoops undamaged with no cracks
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students moving around circuit
- •Trips or falls over equipment
- •Overexertion during sustained activity
- •Contact during warm-up game
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries and pathways established
- •Adequate spacing between stations
- •Continuous supervision of all activities
- •Regular checks on student welfare
- •Safe contact rules established for warm-up
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all stations
- •Move between stations during work periods
- •Monitor signs of fatigue or distress
- •Ensure safe technique at each station
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support