🧭

Lesson 5 - Caving Challenges and Team Communication

Collaborative Problem-Solving Through Adventure Challenges

•

Year 4

•

Outdoor Adventurous Activities

•

Big Question

How can effective teamwork and communication help us overcome challenging obstacles together?

Learning Objectives

Develop effective teamwork and communication skills through collaborative problem-solving activities
Practice safe movement techniques when navigating through confined spaces
Understand the importance of individual responsibility within team challenges

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully navigate through cave challenges using safe movement techniques
Students will demonstrate effective communication and encouragement within their teams
Students will identify and apply strategies that make teams successful in problem-solving activities

Equipment & Resources Required

Gym Mats

2 per team (16 mats for 8 teams)

One mat flat on floor, second mat placed upside down on top

Alternative: Crash mats, yoga mats, or carpet tiles

Benches

2 per team (16 benches)

Turn sideways so seat parts face each other

Alternative: Tables, chairs, or PE storage boxes

Parachutes

1 per team (8 sheets)

Cover gym boxes or benches to create enclosed tunnels

Alternative: Large towels, blankets, or tarpaulins

Box Tops

4-6 pieces

Position to create varied height tunnels

Alternative: PE storage boxes, tables

Cones

16 cones

Mark team areas and cave entrance/exit points

Alternative: Bean bags, hoops, or tape markers

Key Vocabulary

Caving

A sport involving exploration of narrow tunnels and caves

Collaboration

Working together towards a common goal

Communication

Sharing information, ideas and encouragement with others

Strategy

A planned approach to solve a problem or complete a challenge

Responsibility

Taking care of equipment, safety, and supporting team members

Resilience

Continuing to try your best when activities become challenging

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of working in small groups
Simple cooperative game experience
Understanding of taking turns and sharing equipment

Current Skills

Safe movement through confined spaces
Effective team communication during challenges
Problem-solving through collaborative thinking
Taking responsibility for team success

Next Steps

More complex multi-stage problem solving challenges
Leadership rotation within team activities
Strategic planning for adventure activities

Milestone Indicators

Maintains safe body position throughout cave traversal

Communicates clearly with team members during challenges

Shows resilience when activities become challenging

Demonstrates leadership qualities in team situations

Key Teaching Points

Safety and control must always come before speed in cave exploration
Every team member has an important role to play in team success
Clear communication prevents problems and keeps everyone safe
Good leaders support and encourage their team members
Teams succeed by planning together and adapting when challenges arise
Resilience means continuing to try even when activities are challenging
Real teamwork means celebrating others' success as well as your own

Common Misconceptions

MISCONCEPTION: 'Fastest teams are always the best teams' - CORRECTION: Emphasise that safety, teamwork and communication are more important than speed
MISCONCEPTION: 'Leaders should tell everyone else what to do' - CORRECTION: Show that good leaders listen, encourage and support their team
MISCONCEPTION: 'Some people are just naturally bad at teamwork' - CORRECTION: Highlight that teamwork skills can be learned and improved with practice
MISCONCEPTION: 'If the cave breaks, we've failed' - CORRECTION: Explain that protecting equipment shows good teamwork and responsibility

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break activities into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, use clear boundaries and visual cues, offer leadership roles for focus

dyspraxia

Allow extra time for movement through caves, provide adult support for spatial awareness, use larger cave openings, break down movements into smaller steps

autism spectrum

Provide visual schedule of activities, allow practice time with equipment before main activities, create quiet areas for breaks, use clear consistent routines

visual impairment

Use bright coloured mats and covers, provide tactile exploration of cave setup, use buddy system with sighted partner, give clear verbal descriptions of all activities

hearing impairment

Use visual demonstration and hand signals, provide written instruction cards, ensure student can see teacher's face during instructions, use vibration signals for communication

physical disability

Modify cave height for wheelchair access or seated participation, allow rolling instead of crawling, provide alternative leadership roles, adapt equipment as needed

Cross-Curricular Links

English

Listening skills, clear verbal communication, following instructions, vocabulary development around teamwork and adventure

Maths

Problem-solving strategies, logical thinking, measuring time and distances, spatial awareness in confined spaces

Science

Forces needed for movement, friction when crawling, understanding of space and materials

PSHE

Teamwork, communication, taking responsibility for others, leadership skills, resilience when facing challenges

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move between teams during activities to observe technique and teamwork, position centrally during demonstrations and discussions

Observation Focus

Watch for safe crawling technique, positive team communication, strategic problem-solving, and inclusion of all team members

Intervention Points

Step in if equipment becomes unsafe, students show signs of distress, or negative team dynamics develop

Demonstration Notes

Use exaggerated movements to show correct crawling technique, model positive communication examples, show both successful and unsuccessful team approaches for contrast

Verbal Cues

•'Cave explorers move smoothly and controlled!'
•'Great teams communicate clearly!'
•'Every team member is important!'
•'Safety first, then speed!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor space minimum 15m x 20m with clear floor area for equipment setup

Surface Check

Clean, dry, non-slip surface free from obstacles and debris

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all mats are clean and free from tears
•Ensure benches are stable with no loose parts
•Verify gym boxes are structurally sound
•Check covers/sheets have no rips that could catch

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Claustrophobia in enclosed spaces
•Collisions during two-directional cave crossing
•Equipment collapse during traversal
•Overexertion during competitive challenges

Risk Mitigation

•Clear explanation that caves are pretend and students can exit anytime
•Establish communication protocols for two-directional movement
•Regular equipment checks and stability verification
•Emphasise safety over speed in all competitive elements

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position for clear view of all cave systems simultaneously
•Monitor students showing signs of claustrophobia or anxiety
•Watch for equipment stability throughout activities

Emergency Procedures

Stop activity immediately if equipment fails, student shows distress, or safety is compromised. Clear evacuation routes maintained at all times.