Lesson 2 - Route Following and Problem Solving
Trust & Creative Challenges
•Year 5
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can we work together effectively to solve challenges while pushing ourselves to achieve maximum performance?
Learning Objectives
- To work at maximum capacity when running designated routes
- To follow complex routes accurately and safely
- To cooperate effectively with partners to solve physical challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate sustained effort at maximum capacity during route-following activities
- Students will successfully navigate designated routes while maintaining safety awareness
- Students will work collaboratively to solve problems and record results accurately
Equipment & Resources Required
One hoop as 'nest', one as 'bag', 15-20m apart
Alternative: Cones, rope circles, or marked areas
Place 4 balls in each 'nest' hoop at start
Alternative: Bean bags, tennis balls, or foam balls
Arrange in large square formation, each with different letter
Alternative: Numbered cones with letters attached
Pre-numbered 1-20 for recording letters
Alternative: Small whiteboards or clipboards
Attached to answer sheets to prevent loss
Alternative: Crayons or dry-erase markers
For timing challenges and maintaining pace
Alternative: Phone timer or countdown app
Key Vocabulary
Working at the highest level of effort you can sustain safely
A specific path or course that must be followed exactly
A specific location marked on a course where participants must complete a task
Thinking ahead to decide the best way to complete a challenge
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic running technique and pacing
- Simple map reading and direction following
- Working cooperatively in pairs
Current Skills
- Maximum effort running over sustained periods
- Strategic problem-solving under time pressure
- Accurate recording and self-assessment
Next Steps
- Complex orienteering with multiple checkpoints
- Team-based challenge planning and execution
- Advanced navigation using compass bearings
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Maximum effort can be sustained safely when students listen to their bodies
- Strategic planning significantly improves performance in physical challenges
- Effective partnerships require clear communication and shared decision-making
- Spatial awareness is crucial for safe movement in group activities
- Problem-solving skills transfer between different types of challenges
- Recording results accurately helps track improvement and build confidence
- Leadership can be shown through encouraging partners and helping others succeed
Common Misconceptions
- Faster always means better - emphasise smart strategy over pure speed
- Only one partner needs to participate actively - stress equal contribution
- Rules can be bent to achieve better results - reinforce integrity in challenges
- Physical challenges don't require thinking - highlight planning and strategy
- Mistakes mean failure - reframe as learning opportunities and improvement chances
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts with regular check-ins, clear visual boundaries, frequent positive reinforcement
dyspraxia
- Additional practice time, simplified movement patterns, extra support with coordination tasks, patient approach
autism spectrum
- Clear routine structure, visual schedule of activities, quiet space available for breaks, consistent partnerships
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of layout, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for starts and stops, written instruction cards, clear visual demonstrations
physical disability
- Adapted distances, allow walking instead of running, modified equipment if needed, supportive partnerships
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Letter recognition, word formation, vocabulary development, communication skills
Science
Understanding forces in throwing, effects of exercise on body, energy and movement
Geography
Map reading skills, spatial awareness, direction and navigation concepts
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, resilience in challenges, communication skills, leadership development
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear sight lines to all activity areas, moving between groups during activities
Observation Focus
Partnership cooperation, sustained effort levels, spatial awareness, and rule compliance
Intervention Points
Step in if safety concerns arise, if partnerships struggle with cooperation, or if students show signs of fatigue
Demonstration Notes
Use clear, exaggerated movements to show techniques, involve students in demonstrations, provide multiple examples of successful strategies
Verbal Cues
- •'Maximum effort but stay safe!'
- •'Great teamwork - I can see you communicating!'
- •'Look up and around you!'
- •'Find an empty control point!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large outdoor area minimum 30m x 30m, or gymnasium with high ceiling
Surface Check
Level surface free from holes, debris, or slippery areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check hoops for cracks or sharp edges
- •Ensure balls are properly inflated and not damaged
- •Verify control cards are securely laminated and attached
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during maximum effort running
- •Trips or falls due to equipment on ground
- •Overexertion during sustained high-intensity activities
Risk Mitigation
- •Maintain adequate spacing between pair activity areas
- •Stagger starts to prevent congestion at control points
- •Monitor effort levels and provide rest periods as needed
- •Clear equipment from running paths between activities
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for clear sight lines across entire activity area
- •Move between activities to monitor effort and safety
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid, contact medical support if needed