Lesson 4 - Partner Challenges
Outdoor Skills & Teamwork
•Year 1
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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- Complete activity instructions & timing
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How can we work together to overcome challenges and support each other?
Learning Objectives
- To work cooperatively with a partner to complete physical challenges
- To develop strength and coordination through ball manipulation using feet
- To demonstrate perseverance and resilience when facing physical challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully complete partner hoop challenges using teamwork
- Students will move balls using only their feet with increasing control and accuracy
- Students will show positive attitudes when facing difficult tasks
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around activity area, different sizes if possible
Alternative: Cones arranged in circles, chalk circles on ground
Stored in containers near each activity area
Alternative: Small footballs, beanbags
Arranged in straight lines for ball placement activities
Alternative: Markers, spots, small obstacles
Scattered around hall in mixed colour arrangement
Alternative: Bands, bibs, different coloured balls
Available for additional challenges
Alternative: Small soft balls, scarves
Key Vocabulary
Someone you work together with to complete activities
Working together towards the same goal
Staying steady and not falling over
Standing up straight like a tall tree
Lying flat like a table top
Making the ball go exactly where you want it to go
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic movement skills (running, jumping, crawling)
- Simple ball handling with hands
- Following basic instructions and taking turns
Current Skills
- Partner cooperation and communication
- Ball manipulation using feet only
- Body awareness when moving through hoops
Next Steps
- More complex partner challenges with multiple pieces of equipment
- Team challenges involving 3-4 students
- Introduction of competitive team games
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise cooperation over competition throughout all activities
- Use 'gentle touches' language consistently for ball control with feet
- Celebrate problem-solving attempts even when not completely successful
- Build challenges progressively from individual to partner to more complex
- Focus on effort, communication, and teamwork rather than just physical achievement
Common Misconceptions
- Students thinking they need to kick balls hard rather than using gentle control
- Believing that bigger hoops always make activities easier (sometimes smaller is easier to manage)
- Assuming that struggling with difficult challenges means they're not doing well
- Thinking that letting go of partner's hand is acceptable when things get difficult
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity segments, clear boundaries marked visually, regular movement breaks built in, positive reinforcement frequently
dyspraxia
- Larger equipment for easier handling, additional practice time, simplified movement patterns, step-by-step verbal guidance
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available if needed, predictable transitions between activities
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide clear verbal descriptions of spatial arrangements, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstrations of all activities, hand signals for communication, written instruction cards available
physical disability
- Seated versions of ball activities, modified hoop sizes for wheelchair access, adapted movements within individual capabilities
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Following multi-step instructions, using descriptive vocabulary (vertical, horizontal, flat, upright), communicating strategies with partners
Maths
Counting equipment, measuring distances between cones, identifying shapes and sizes of hoops, understanding concepts of bigger/smaller
Science
Forces and motion when moving balls, balance and stability during hoop movements, understanding cause and effect in movement
PSHE
Cooperation and teamwork, resilience when facing challenges, supporting others, positive communication skills
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter of hall to observe all groups, positioning at corners for maximum visibility during partner work
Observation Focus
Watch for genuine cooperation, safe equipment use, and positive communication between partners
Intervention Points
["Step in when partnerships become unbalanced or non-cooperative", "Provide technique coaching when students struggle with ball control", "Redirect activities that become too difficult or impossible"]
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate new skills slowly and clearly, use students as positive examples when appropriate, break complex movements into smaller steps for clarity
Verbal Cues
- •'Use gentle touches with the inside of your foot'
- •'Work together, don't pull your partner'
- •'That looks tricky - can you make it a bit easier?'
- •'Great teamwork - you're helping each other succeed'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or playground space minimum 15m x 20m for safe group work and equipment use
Surface Check
Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all hoops for cracks or sharp edges before use
- •Ensure balls are properly inflated and not damaged
- •Verify cones are stable and not broken
- •Store equipment safely when not in use
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions between students during energetic activities
- •Trips and falls when moving through hoops
- •Equipment-related injuries from damaged items
- •Overexertion during challenging physical activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for each group's activity area
- •Adequate spacing maintained between students and groups throughout
- •Progressive difficulty building to prevent overexertion
- •Regular equipment checks and safe storage protocols
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all groups simultaneously
- •Monitor high-activity areas during ball manipulation activities
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or frustration in individual students
- •Ensure partner activities remain cooperative rather than competitive
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, contact emergency services if required