Lesson 3 - Pen Challenge Team Problem Solving
Collaborative Problem-Solving Through Adventure Challenges
•Year 4
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we use teamwork and creative thinking to overcome physical challenges that seem impossible?
Learning Objectives
- To develop effective teamwork and communication skills through collaborative problem solving
- To understand the characteristics and roles of effective team members
- To apply strategic thinking and tactical awareness to overcome physical challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully work together as a team to complete the pen challenge using collaborative strategies
- Students will understand and demonstrate the attributes that make an effective team member
- Students will develop resilience and problem-solving skills when facing challenging tasks
Equipment & Resources Required
Must be able to stand upright when placed
Alternative: Small plastic bottles, toilet roll tubes
Used to mark successful attempts and boundaries
Alternative: Bean bags, small markers
To mark the starting line for each team
Alternative: Chalk lines, painted lines
To track points and attempts for each team
Alternative: Whiteboard and marker
Clean and safe for students to wear
Alternative: Bandanas, fabric strips
Key Vocabulary
Working together effectively towards a shared goal
A plan or method for achieving something successfully
Using your body as a tool to extend reach, like a seesaw
Making smart decisions about how to position people and use resources
Helping teammates both physically and emotionally during challenges
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of teamwork and cooperation
- Experience working in small groups on physical tasks
- Knowledge of following rules and instructions safely
Current Skills
- Advanced teamwork and communication strategies
- Problem-solving and tactical thinking
- Leadership and responsibility within group settings
- Understanding of lever principles and body positioning
Next Steps
- Applying teamwork skills to more complex outdoor adventure challenges
- Leading teams independently in problem-solving activities
- Creating and adapting rules for team challenges
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise that effective teamwork requires both talking AND listening from all team members
- Focus on the process of problem-solving, not just the end result or distance achieved
- Teach safe support techniques explicitly before allowing lever attempts
- Celebrate improvement and effort rather than just winning or longest distances
- Connect the physical challenge to real-life teamwork situations students understand
- Use questioning to develop tactical thinking rather than giving direct solutions
- Model positive communication and conflict resolution when teams face difficulties
Common Misconceptions
- Teams think one person should do everything rather than working collaboratively
- Students believe physical strength is more important than strategy and technique
- Teams assume the tallest or strongest person should always place the pen
- Students think competition means winning at any cost rather than personal improvement
- Teams believe they need equipment to solve the challenge effectively
- Students assume teamwork means everyone doing the same thing rather than taking different roles
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Clear boundaries and expectations, frequent change of activity, specific roles within teams, movement breaks between sections
dyspraxia
- Extra time for coordination activities, simplified lever techniques, additional support for spatial awareness, larger equipment if needed
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, visual schedule of lesson activities, quiet break space available, predictable team formations
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, clear verbal descriptions of spatial arrangements, tactile markers for starting lines, buddy system for guidance
hearing impairment
- Visual demonstration of all instructions, written rule cards available, use hand signals for communication, ensure face-to-face communication
physical disability
- Adapt lever techniques for wheelchair users, modify distance requirements, allow seated participation in support roles, ensure accessible team positions
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication and speaking skills, vocabulary development (strategy, collaboration, lever), active listening, expressing ideas clearly
Maths
Measuring distances, calculating point scores, understanding lever principles and angles, comparing and ordering results
Science
Forces and motion, lever systems, physics of balance and support, cause and effect relationships
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, communication skills, resilience and perseverance, leadership qualities, managing emotions under pressure
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position for demonstrations, then circulate actively between teams during activities, maintain visibility of all groups
Observation Focus
Watch for effective communication strategies, safe physical support techniques, inclusive team behaviour, and problem-solving development
Intervention Points
Step in if teams are struggling with collaboration, safety rules are being compromised, or students are becoming frustrated or excluded
Demonstration Notes
Model enthusiasm for problem-solving, show safe support techniques clearly, demonstrate active listening during team discussions
Verbal Cues
- •'What strategy is your team trying?'
- •'How are you supporting your teammate?'
- •'Remember to place, not throw the pen!'
- •'What did you learn from that attempt?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area, minimum 15m x 20m, clear of obstacles and hazards
Surface Check
Level, non-slip surface free from debris, adequate space between team areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check marker pens have secure lids and are non-toxic
- •Ensure cones have no sharp edges or cracks
- •Verify ropes/tape are secure and not frayed
- •Test blindfolds are clean and comfortable if using extension
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls when students attempt lever techniques
- •Collisions between teams working in close proximity
- •Overexertion during competitive activities
- •Emotional upset from team conflicts or failure
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established between team areas
- •Specific teaching of safe support techniques for leverage
- •Continuous monitoring of physical support attempts
- •Emphasis on beating own scores rather than competing against others
- •Regular checks on emotional wellbeing during competitive phase
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for maximum visibility of all teams simultaneously
- •Move actively between teams during practice and competition
- •Monitor team dynamics for inclusion and positive interaction
- •Watch specifically for safe physical support during lever attempts
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, ensure other students are safe and supervised