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Lesson 5 - Caving Challenges - Team Communication and Problem Solving

Collaborative Problem Solving Through Adventure Challenges

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Year 5

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Outdoor Adventurous Activities

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1h 5min

Big Question

How can effective teamwork and communication help us overcome physical challenges together?

Learning Objectives

To develop effective teamwork and communication skills through collaborative problem-solving challenges
To understand the characteristics and responsibilities of effective team members
To apply tactical thinking and strategic planning in physical challenges

Key Outcomes

Students will successfully navigate through cave challenges using teamwork and communication
Students will demonstrate leadership qualities and encourage team members effectively
Students will understand and apply strategies for collaborative problem-solving

Equipment & Resources Required

Gymnastics Mats

8-12 mats

Check all mats are clean and in good condition with no tears

Alternative: Crash mats, exercise mats

Gymnastics Benches

4-6 benches

Ensure benches are stable and positioned to create safe tunnels

Alternative: Sturdy tables or wooden planks with supports

Gymnastics Box Top

2-3 box tops

Check stability and weight capacity before use

Alternative: Large stable boxes or platform sections

Parachutes

3-4 large sheets

Ensure fabric is clean and has no holes that could catch fingers

Alternative: Large fabric pieces or tarpaulins

Cones

12 cones

Use to mark cave entrances and team positions

Alternative: Bean bags, spots, or other markers

Key Vocabulary

Caving

A sport involving exploration of caves and underground tunnels

Collaboration

Working together effectively towards a common goal

Strategy

A planned approach to solving a problem or completing a challenge

Leadership

Taking responsibility for guiding and supporting team members

Tactical thinking

Making smart decisions about how to approach a challenge

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Basic understanding of teamwork from previous OAA lessons
Experience following safety instructions in physical activities
Basic communication skills in group activities

Current Skills

Advanced teamwork and collaboration in challenging situations
Strategic thinking and tactical planning
Leadership and responsibility for team success
Effective communication under pressure

Next Steps

Apply teamwork skills in more complex OAA challenges
Lead larger groups in problem-solving activities
Transfer collaboration skills to other curriculum areas

Milestone Indicators

Teams working together without adult intervention

Students naturally taking on leadership roles

Quick adaptation of strategies when initial plans don't work

Consistent encouragement and support between team members

Key Teaching Points

Safety must always be prioritised over speed or competition
Effective teams communicate clearly and include all members
Leadership can emerge from any team member depending on the situation
Resilience is shown through persistence when facing challenges
Different cave challenges require different strategies and approaches
Encouraging teammates is as important as individual technique
Problem-solving improves when teams discuss ideas before acting

Common Misconceptions

Misconception: Fastest teams are automatically the best teams. Correction: Best teams balance speed with safety and include all members.
Misconception: Leaders must always be the loudest or most confident. Correction: Good leaders listen to others and help everyone contribute.
Misconception: If something doesn't work immediately, it's the wrong strategy. Correction: Good strategies often need adjustment and practice.
Misconception: Only physical strength matters for caving challenges. Correction: Technique, communication, and teamwork are equally important.
Misconception: Teams should avoid discussing problems to save time. Correction: Brief discussions prevent bigger problems and improve solutions.

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Provide clear boundaries and expectations, break activities into shorter segments, offer specific roles to maintain focus

dyspraxia

Allow extra time for movement planning, provide additional demonstrations, offer physical support for crawling coordination

autism spectrum

Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet space if overwhelmed, use visual schedules for activity sequence

visual impairment

Use tactile markers on equipment, provide detailed verbal descriptions of cave layouts, assign sighted buddy for guidance

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and hand gestures, provide written team charter templates, ensure face-to-face communication

physical disability

Adapt cave heights for wheelchair access, provide alternative roles like timekeeper or coach, modify crawling to supported movement

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Timing challenges, measuring cave dimensions, counting team members and rotations, spatial awareness and geometry

Science

Forces and motion in crawling movements, friction between body and surfaces, teamwork in animal behaviour studies

Geography

Cave formation and underground landscapes, navigation and mapping skills, environmental adaptation

PSHE

Collaboration and teamwork, leadership development, resilience and perseverance, communication skills

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move continuously between teams to monitor safety and provide support, maintain overview of all activities

Observation Focus

Watch for team dynamics, safety compliance, skill application, and individual confidence levels

Intervention Points

Step in when equipment becomes unsafe, team dynamics break down, or students show signs of distress

Demonstration Notes

Always demonstrate new techniques yourself first, emphasise safety aspects, show both correct technique and common mistakes to avoid

Verbal Cues

•'Safety check - is your cave secure?'
•'Great teamwork - I can see you're all contributing!'
•'Remember your caving technique - head first, pull with arms'
•'How is your team communicating to solve this challenge?'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large hall or gymnasium minimum 15m x 20m with clear floor space for multiple cave setups

Surface Check

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

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•All mats checked for tears, holes, or damaged edges before use
•Benches inspected for stability and secure leg positioning
•Box tops checked for weight capacity and structural integrity
•Sheets and parachutes checked for holes that could catch fingers

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Collisions between students crawling through caves
•Equipment collapse if not properly secured
•Claustrophobic reactions to confined spaces
•Finger or hand injuries from equipment edges
•Overexcitement leading to unsafe behaviour

Risk Mitigation

•Clear safety briefing before each new challenge
•Equipment stability checks before each use
•Adequate spacing between team setups
•Option to opt out for students uncomfortable with confined spaces
•Constant supervision and intervention when needed

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to see all team activities simultaneously
•Move between teams to check equipment stability
•Monitor for signs of claustrophobia or anxiety
•Intervene immediately if unsafe behaviour observed

Emergency Procedures

Stop all activity immediately, assess situation, provide first aid if needed, contact school medical support if required