Lesson 7 - Bodyweight Exercise Exploration
Playful Movement Challenges
•Year 2
•Health Related Fitness
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use our own body weight to strengthen and improve our fitness levels?
Learning Objectives
- To explore and perform exercises that use your own body weight
- To understand how different exercises work different muscle groups
- To develop control and coordination through bodyweight movements
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate a range of bodyweight exercises with correct technique
- Students will show improved balance and control in their movements
- Students will understand which exercises target specific muscle groups
Equipment & Resources Required
Distributed around play area for Star Saver game
Alternative: Coloured bibs, markers, bean bags
One set per pair of students
Alternative: Laminated alphabet cards with exercises
Key Vocabulary
Physical exercises that use your own body weight as resistance
The number of times you repeat an exercise
The correct way to perform an exercise safely and effectively
The muscles in your stomach area that help with core strength
Staying steady and controlled during movement
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic body awareness and control
- Simple jumping and landing movements
- Understanding of personal space
Current Skills
- Bodyweight exercise techniques
- Muscle group awareness
- Exercise sequencing and timing
Next Steps
- Circuit training principles
- Fitness goal setting
- Creating personal workout routines
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Always demonstrate exercises slowly and clearly before students attempt them
- Emphasise quality of movement over speed or quantity of repetitions
- Monitor fatigue levels throughout and provide rest breaks as needed
- Use positive reinforcement to encourage effort rather than just achievement
- Connect exercises to real-world benefits like stronger muscles and better health
- Ensure all students participate regardless of fitness level through differentiation
- Make learning fun through games while maintaining focus on proper technique
Common Misconceptions
- More repetitions are always better - correct with focus on quality over quantity
- Exercise should hurt to be effective - emphasise comfort and gradual progression
- Some people are naturally bad at exercise - promote growth mindset and improvement
- Only difficult exercises make you stronger - show value of basic movements done well
- You need equipment to get fit - demonstrate bodyweight exercises are very effective
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break activities into shorter segments, provide extra movement opportunities, use clear start/stop signals
dyspraxia
- Demonstrate exercises multiple times, break movements into smaller steps, allow extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Provide visual schedule of lesson activities, use consistent exercise names, offer quiet space for breaks
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions for all exercises, provide tactile guidance for body positions, pair with sighted buddy
hearing impairment
- Demonstrate all exercises visually, use visual cards with exercise pictures, employ hand signals for directions
physical disability
- Modify exercises for seated position, use upper body alternatives, adjust repetitions to ability level
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Spelling names using letter-exercise combinations, vocabulary development with exercise names
Maths
Counting repetitions, recognising numbers on bingo cards, addition when combining exercises
Science
Understanding how exercise affects the heart rate, learning about different muscle groups
PSHE
Personal goal setting, cooperation with partners, resilience when activities are challenging
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move around perimeter during activities to observe all students, central position for demonstrations
Observation Focus
Exercise technique, signs of fatigue, cooperation between partners, understanding of instructions
Intervention Points
Correct poor technique immediately, provide rest for tired students, support struggling partnerships
Demonstration Notes
Use slow motion for complex exercises, show side and front views, exaggerate key movement points
Verbal Cues
- •'Soft landings on your star jumps!'
- •'Lift those knees up high!'
- •'Help your partner by counting together!'
- •'Quality is better than speed!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Minimum 15m x 20m clear area with additional space for floor exercises
Surface Check
Non-slip surface suitable for jumping and floor work, free from obstacles
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Cones checked for cracks or damage
- •Pencils have no sharp points
- •Cards laminated to prevent paper cuts
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Overexertion during sustained activity
- •Collisions during warm-up games
- •Incorrect technique leading to strain
- •Slips during jumping exercises
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Progressive build-up of exercise intensity
- •Constant monitoring of technique
- •Regular rest breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Demonstration of correct form before each exercise
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility during floor exercises
- •Monitor exertion levels throughout bingo game
- •Check technique during individual practice
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess injury, provide appropriate first aid, seek additional support if needed