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Lesson 1 - Team Cooperation 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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58 min

Big Question

What makes an effective team when facing challenges together?

Learning Objectives

To develop understanding of effective teamwork characteristics
To apply problem-solving strategies in physical challenges
To demonstrate cooperation and responsibility within a team environment

Key Outcomes

Students will work effectively as team members to complete physical challenges
Students will identify and demonstrate characteristics of successful teamwork
Students will take responsibility for supporting all team members

Equipment & Resources Required

Benches

4-6 benches

Space benches 2-3 metres apart around activity area

Alternative: Balance beams, low apparatus

Gymnastics Mats

8-12 mats

Stack mats at equipment station for teams to collect

Alternative: Carpet tiles, PE mats

Cones

12 cones

Mark boundaries and 'river' crossing areas

Alternative: Markers, spots

Stopwatch

For timing challenges and adding urgency

Alternative: Mobile phone timer, wall clock

Key Vocabulary

Cooperation

Working together effectively towards a common goal

Strategy

A plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal

Responsibility

Taking ownership for your role and supporting others in the team

Leadership

Guiding and motivating others to work together effectively

Tactics

Specific methods used to solve problems or overcome challenges

Skill Progression Pathway

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

Prior Learning

Students have experience working in pairs and small groups
Students understand basic safety rules around equipment
Students can follow multi-step instructions

Current Skills

Develop strategic thinking and tactical awareness
Practice leadership and communication skills
Build trust and cooperation through shared challenges

Next Steps

Apply teamwork skills to competitive situations
Lead teams in more complex problem-solving scenarios
Transfer cooperation skills to other sports and activities

Milestone Indicators

Teams complete challenges with minimal teacher intervention

Students naturally encourage and support struggling teammates

Groups adapt strategies based on reflection and feedback

Key Teaching Points

Effective teams communicate clearly and include everyone in decision-making
Strategic planning before action leads to more successful outcomes
Safety must never be compromised for speed or competition
Every team member has something valuable to contribute to success
Leadership can be shown through encouragement and support, not just giving directions
Learning from other teams' strategies improves our own performance
Resilience and adaptation are key when initial strategies don't work

Common Misconceptions

Thinking that fastest teams are automatically the most effective (address by emphasising cooperation over speed)
Believing that strongest students should always lead (show how different strengths contribute to team success)
Assuming that making mistakes means failure (reframe mistakes as learning opportunities)
Thinking teamwork means everyone does the same thing (highlight how different roles contribute to success)
Believing that good teams never disagree (show how respectful discussion improves strategies)

SEN Adaptations

ADHD

Break challenges into shorter segments, provide clear boundaries and expectations, offer leadership roles to maintain engagement, use movement as positive outlet

dyspraxia

Simplify equipment coordination requirements, provide extra practice time for balance activities, use larger more stable equipment, offer planning support and role clarity

autism spectrum

Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet planning time, use visual schedules for challenge sequence, allow movement breaks when needed

visual impairment

Use bright coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of spatial layout, assign sighted buddy for guidance, use tactile markers for boundaries

hearing impairment

Use visual signals and demonstrations, provide written instruction cards, ensure clear line of sight for lip reading, assign communication buddy

physical disability

Modify equipment height and distance, allow wheelchairs as 'equipment' for crossing, provide seated roles in team planning, adapt challenges for different mobility levels

Cross-Curricular Links

Maths

Measuring distances for river crossing, timing challenges, counting team members and equipment

Science

Forces and balance when using equipment, friction between surfaces, centre of gravity during balancing

Geography

Spatial awareness and navigation, understanding of boundaries and territories

PSHE

Cooperation and teamwork, taking responsibility for others, communication skills, leadership development

Teacher Guidance

Positioning

Move actively around the space to observe all teams, position at corners for maximum visibility during challenges

Observation Focus

Watch for cooperation strategies, inclusion of all team members, safe equipment use, and positive communication

Intervention Points

Step in when safety is compromised, when teams exclude members, or when students need support with strategic thinking

Demonstration Notes

Demonstrate safe equipment handling, model positive team communication, show strategic planning approaches, highlight excellent cooperation examples as they occur

Verbal Cues

•'Plan together first!'
•'Support your teammate!'
•'Safety before speed!'
•'Include everyone in your strategy!'

Safety Considerations

Space & Surface Requirements

Space Requirements

Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 15m x 20m with clear boundaries

Surface Check

Non-slip surface suitable for gymnastic equipment, dry and level throughout activity area

Equipment Safety

Safety Checks

•Check all benches are stable and not damaged
•Ensure mats are in good condition with no tears or worn areas
•Verify cones are not cracked or have sharp edges
•Test equipment stability before student use

Risk Management

Key Risks

•Falls from benches during height ordering challenge
•Collisions between teams during river crossing
•Equipment slipping during use
•Students rushing and moving unsafely under time pressure

Risk Mitigation

•Constant supervision and positioning for maximum visibility
•Clear spacing between teams to prevent interference
•Emphasis on safety before speed in all challenges
•Immediate stopping of unsafe behaviour with restart requirement
•Teaching safe equipment handling and support techniques

Supervision & Emergency Procedures

Supervision Points

•Position to observe all teams simultaneously during challenges
•Move actively between teams during activities
•Maintain clear sightlines and be prepared to intervene quickly
•Monitor for fatigue or loss of concentration affecting safety

Emergency Procedures

Clear emergency stop signal established, first aid kit accessible, clear evacuation route identified, mobile phone available for emergency contact