Start Planning Better PE Lessons

Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.

What's included

  • Complete activity instructions & timing
  • Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
  • Assessment guidance & success criteria
  • Downloadable lessons & units
No credit card
Free forever
Big Question

How can we work together to improve our running endurance and accuracy in jumping and throwing activities?

Learning Objectives

  • To run individually for a sustained period and understand personal limits
  • To discuss thoughts and feelings about physical challenges and exercise
  • To work cooperatively with a partner to complete jumping and throwing tasks with accuracy

Key Outcomes

  • Students will demonstrate improved running endurance and self-awareness of their capabilities
  • Students will articulate their feelings about physical challenges using appropriate vocabulary
  • Students will successfully work in partnership to achieve jumping and throwing targets

Equipment & Resources Required

Cones
20-30

Used for marking running course and throwing targets

Alternative: Markers, spots, or plastic bottles

Balls
1 per pair (15)

One per pair for throwing activities

Alternative: Soft balls, tennis balls, or rolled socks

Stopwatch
1

For timing running activities

Alternative: Phone timer or large digital clock

Hoops
10-15

For target practice extensions

Alternative: Chalk circles or rope circles

Pencils
2-3

For recording running times

Alternative: Laminated sheets with dry-wipe pens

Key Vocabulary

Sustained

Continuing for a long time without stopping

Endurance

The ability to keep going for a long time

Two-footed jump

Jumping and landing with both feet together

Underarm throw

Throwing with arm moving upward from below

Overarm throw

Throwing with arm moving over the shoulder

Marker

Something used to show where an activity finished

Target

Something you aim at when throwing

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

  • Basic running technique with arms swinging
  • Simple two-footed jumping on the spot
  • Underarm throwing with bean bags
  • Following simple instructions and rules

Current Skills

  • Running for sustained periods (30 seconds to 3 minutes)
  • Self-assessment of physical capabilities
  • Two-footed jumping in sequence
  • Accurate throwing to targets
  • Partner cooperation and communication

Next Steps

  • Running with pacing strategies
  • Standing long jump technique
  • Overarm throwing for distance
  • Team relay running

Milestone Indicators

1
Can run continuously for 1-2 minutes
2
Shows awareness of breathing and heart rate
3
Demonstrates consistent jumping technique
4
Accurately throws to targets within 3 metres

Key Teaching Points

  • Sustained running is about pacing and endurance, not speed - emphasise personal improvement over competition
  • Apply four running secrets: steady start, proper breathing, light footwork, personal focus
  • Encourage honest reflection about feelings toward physical challenges - all feelings are valid
  • Partner cooperation requires clear communication, fair turn-taking, and mutual support
  • Jumping technique: two feet together for takeoff and landing, no steps between jumps
  • Throwing accuracy improves with practice and appropriate technique selection for distance
  • Physical activity benefits overall health and wellbeing - normalize getting out of breath

Common Misconceptions

  • Sustained running means running as fast as possible - correct by emphasising pacing and endurance over speed
  • Everyone should run for the same amount of time - reinforce that personal challenge and improvement matter most
  • Getting out of breath during exercise is bad - explain this is normal and healthy when exercising appropriately
  • Only athletic students can succeed at running activities - show that everyone can improve with practice and proper technique
  • Throwing hard always gives better accuracy - demonstrate how controlled, aimed throws are more effective
  • Competition makes activities more fun - emphasise how cooperation and personal goals create positive experiences

SEN Adaptations

ADHD
  • Shorter activity bursts with frequent changes, clear movement boundaries, regular positive feedback, structured partner rotations
dyspraxia
  • Break activities into smaller steps, use larger targets initially, provide extra practice time, visual cues for movement patterns
autism spectrum
  • Provide clear visual schedule of activities, consistent routines, quiet zone available, predictable structure throughout lesson
visual impairment
  • Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of course layout, buddy system for safety, tactile markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
  • Visual demonstrations of all activities, written instruction cards, hand signals for start/stop, clear visual cues for timing
physical disability
  • Modify running to walking or wheelchair racing, adapt jumping to stepping or seated movements, adjust throwing distances and heights

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Vocabulary development for describing feelings and physical sensations, discussion skills, listening and speaking in pairs and groups

Maths

Calculating running times using addition, measuring jumping distances, counting jumps and throws, time problem solving

Science

Understanding heart rate and breathing changes during exercise, forces in jumping and throwing, body systems during physical activity

PSHE

Personal goal setting, dealing with challenges, teamwork and cooperation, emotional vocabulary development, health and wellbeing

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move around perimeter of activities to maintain visual contact with all students, position near finish line during running to record times

Observation Focus

Watch for application of running techniques, cooperation during partner work, and appropriate challenge levels for all students

Intervention Points

Step in if students showing signs of over-exertion, unfair competition, or unsafe throwing practices

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate: Show clear difference between pacing strategies, exaggerate correct breathing technique, model positive partner encouragement

Verbal Cues
  • 'Remember your breathing pattern!'
  • 'Stay light on your feet!'
  • 'This is your personal challenge!'
  • 'Great teamwork - help each other succeed!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 30m for running course and throwing activities

Surface Check

Dry, even surface free from trip hazards, holes, or slippery areas

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks
  • Check cones have no sharp edges or cracks
  • Ensure beanbags are securely stitched with no loose filling
  • Verify hoops are intact with no sharp edges

Risk Management

Key Risks
  • Collisions during running activities
  • Trips and falls from running or jumping
  • Being hit by thrown objects
  • Over-exertion during sustained running
Risk Mitigation
  • Clear running course boundaries with adequate space
  • All throwing in same direction with clear safety zones
  • Regular rest periods and hydration breaks
  • Emphasis on personal challenge, not competition
  • Teacher supervision of all activities

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points
  • Position for clear view of entire running course
  • Monitor for signs of over-exertion during running
  • Ensure no crossing paths during throwing activities
  • Watch for appropriate effort levels in all students
Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact school office if needed