Lesson 5 - Caving Challenges Part 1
Advanced Team Problem Solving Through Physical Challenges
•Year 6
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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What makes an effective team when facing physical challenges together?
Learning Objectives
- To understand and demonstrate the characteristics of effective teamwork
- To develop communication and collaboration skills through caving challenges
- To safely navigate through simulated cave environments using appropriate techniques
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully complete caving challenges through effective teamwork
- Students will demonstrate clear communication and leadership skills
- Students will understand their individual role within team success
Equipment & Resources Required
One flat on floor, one inverted on top to create cave tunnel
Alternative: Crash mats or yoga mats
Turn sideways so seat parts face each other, cover with mats
Alternative: Tables or sturdy boxes
Cover with sheets or parachutes to create enclosed tunnels
Alternative: Large tables or portable stages
Secure over gym box tops to create realistic cave environment
Alternative: Large tarpaulins or PE hall curtains
Mark start/finish points and team zones
Alternative: Markers or bean bags
For timing competitive challenges
Alternative: Phone timer or wall clock
Key Vocabulary
The sport of exploring caves and underground passages
Working together effectively to achieve a common goal
A planned approach to solving a problem or completing a challenge
The way you position your body to move safely and efficiently
Giving support and confidence to team members
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of teamwork principles
- Experience with simple cooperative activities
- Knowledge of following safety instructions
Current Skills
- Advanced teamwork and communication skills
- Problem-solving in challenging physical environments
- Leadership and responsibility for others' safety
Next Steps
- Complex multi-stage problem-solving challenges
- Independent team leadership roles
- Advanced outdoor adventure activities
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Safety is paramount - correct caving technique prevents injury
- Effective teamwork requires clear communication and defined roles
- Leadership emerges through taking responsibility for others' success
- Problem-solving improves when teams plan before acting
- Encouragement and support are essential for team achievement
- Equipment care reflects respect for shared resources
- Challenge success comes from balancing speed with safety
Common Misconceptions
- Teams think speed is more important than safety - emphasise technique over time
- Students believe only one person needs to lead - highlight shared leadership opportunities
- Some think competition means winning at any cost - reinforce sportsmanship values
- Teams may focus only on their own success - encourage supporting other teams
- Students might think caving is just crawling - explain strategic movement and body positioning
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break challenges into shorter segments, provide regular movement breaks, assign specific responsibility roles
dyspraxia
- Allow extra practice time for technique, provide simplified movement patterns, use larger equipment for easier handling
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine, offer quiet preparation time, use visual schedules for activity progression
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured mats for contrast, provide verbal descriptions of cave layout, assign sighted buddy for guidance
hearing impairment
- Use visual signals for start/stop, provide written instructions, ensure clear sight lines for lip reading
physical disability
- Adapt cave height for wheelchair access, allow alternative movement patterns, provide modified roles within teams
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, listening and responding, giving clear instructions and explanations
Maths
Timing challenges and calculating differences, measuring cave dimensions, strategic planning with spatial awareness
Science
Forces and friction in movement, materials and their properties in equipment, physics of leverage in caving technique
Geography
Cave formation and underground landscapes, orienteering and spatial navigation, environmental challenges
PSHE
Teamwork and cooperation, leadership skills, responsibility for others' safety, resilience and problem-solving
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central position for demonstrations, circulating during activities for optimal supervision of all teams
Observation Focus
Safety compliance, teamwork quality, emerging leadership, problem-solving strategies, inclusion of all team members
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe technique, facilitate struggling teams' strategy discussions, highlight excellent teamwork examples
Demonstration Notes
Always demonstrate caving technique slowly and clearly, emphasise safety over speed, model positive encouragement language, show both correct and incorrect examples for clarity
Verbal Cues
- •'Head up, eyes forward!'
- •'Smooth and controlled movements!'
- •'What's your team strategy?'
- •'How can you encourage your teammate?'
- •'Check your equipment is secure!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Full school hall (minimum 15m x 20m), clear of obstacles, non-slip surface essential
Surface Check
Dry, clean floor free from hazards, adequate grip for caving movements
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check all mats for tears or damage before use
- •Ensure benches are stable and positioned securely
- •Verify gym box tops can support weight safely
- •Check sheets/parachutes have no holes that could cause entanglement
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collision during bi-directional movement
- •Equipment collapse if not properly set up
- •Injury from poor caving technique
- •Entanglement in sheets or loose clothing
Risk Mitigation
- •Mandatory safety demonstration before any caving attempts
- •Constant supervision during equipment setup
- •Clear protocols for equipment failure/restart
- •Spotter assigned for every caving attempt
- •Immediate stop procedure if any safety concern arises
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all caves simultaneously
- •Circulate continuously during active challenges
- •Monitor equipment integrity throughout lesson
- •Check caving technique constantly for head position and control
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately, assess injured party, provide appropriate first aid, clear safe evacuation route if needed