Lesson 3 - Effective Teamwork and Communication
Advanced Team Problem Solving Through Physical Challenges
•Year 6
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
Sign up free to access 3 complete units per month, unlimited activity library, and your personal locker.
What's included
- Complete activity instructions & timing
- Teaching tips & differentiation strategies
- Assessment guidance & success criteria
- Downloadable lessons & units
What makes a team truly effective when facing challenging problems together?
Learning Objectives
- To develop effective collaboration and communication skills within team challenges
- To understand the characteristics and responsibilities of effective team members
- To apply tactical thinking and problem-solving strategies in physical challenges
Key Outcomes
- Students will successfully collaborate to complete team challenges using effective communication
- Students will identify and demonstrate the attributes of successful team members
- Students will apply strategic thinking to overcome physical and tactical obstacles
Equipment & Resources Required
Position benches with adequate space between for safety
Alternative: Low balance beams, sturdy boxes, or marked floor lines
Ensure items can stand upright and are visible to all teams
Alternative: Plastic bottles, bean bags, or small cones
Clear, visible lines that teams cannot cross
Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or tape on floor
Key Vocabulary
Working together effectively towards a common goal
A planned approach or method to solve a problem or complete a challenge
Guiding and motivating others whilst taking responsibility for team success
Analysing a situation and choosing the best approach based on available resources
Using body position and support to extend reach beyond normal limits
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic understanding of following rules in team activities
- Experience working in pairs and small groups
- Fundamental listening and turn-taking skills
Current Skills
- Advanced teamwork and leadership qualities
- Strategic thinking and tactical problem-solving
- Effective communication under pressure
Next Steps
- Leading teams in competitive outdoor challenges
- Mentoring younger students in teamwork activities
- Applying leadership skills in secondary PE and beyond
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Effective teams include everyone and value different contributions equally
- Communication works in many forms - verbal, non-verbal, and through actions
- Leadership means helping others succeed, not just taking charge
- Strategic thinking improves with reflection on what works and what doesn't
- Safety and teamwork always come before winning or achieving distances
- Problem-solving requires patience, creativity, and willingness to adapt approaches
- Everyone has strengths that can help their team succeed in different ways
Common Misconceptions
- Leadership only means being the loudest or most dominant person
- Teams succeed only when the strongest person does the physical task
- Communication means talking - non-verbal signals are equally important
- Competition should override cooperation and safety considerations
- Only successful attempts are worth celebrating - learning from failures is equally valuable
- Physical strength is more important than tactical thinking in these challenges
- Team roles are fixed - people can contribute in different ways throughout activities
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Break challenges into shorter segments, provide movement breaks between reflection periods, use clear visual boundaries, celebrate effort and focus
dyspraxia
- Demonstrate balance and coordination techniques slowly, provide extra practice time for physical skills, pair with supportive teammates, focus on contribution over physical achievement
autism spectrum
- Provide clear structure and routine for each challenge, visual schedule of activities, quiet reflection space if needed, predictable team formations
visual impairment
- Use verbal descriptions of all challenges, provide tactile exploration of equipment, assign sighted buddy for spatial awareness, use sound markers for boundaries
hearing impairment
- Ensure visual demonstrations of all instructions, use clear hand signals for communication, provide written challenge cards, position teacher for lip reading visibility
physical disability
- Adapt challenges for wheelchair users with ramp approaches, modify support roles to match physical abilities, ensure inclusive team positions for all mobility levels
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Problem-solving strategies, measurement of distances, calculating scores and point systems, geometric understanding of angles and leverage
Science
Forces and motion, understanding of leverage and fulcrums, body mechanics and balance, gravity and stability
Geography
Spatial awareness, positioning and direction, understanding of relative positions and distances
PSHE
Teamwork and collaboration, leadership skills, resilience and perseverance, celebrating diversity of contributions, managing emotions under pressure
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location allowing observation of all teams, moving between teams during planning phases to assess understanding
Observation Focus
Watch for inclusive teamwork, safe physical techniques, and positive communication patterns
Intervention Points
Step in if safety rules being ignored, if teams becoming frustrated or exclusive, or if competitive pressure affecting good teamwork
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate: Clear safety techniques when providing hints, enthusiastic celebration of good teamwork over just results, inclusive communication that values all contributions
Verbal Cues
- •'Remember everyone contributes to success'
- •'Safety first, then think creatively'
- •'What would you try differently?'
- •'How can your team support each other better?'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor hall or outdoor area minimum 20m x 30m with clear sight lines throughout
Surface Check
Dry, even surface free from obstacles, with adequate space between team working areas
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check bench stability before use and position safety mats underneath
- •Ensure marker objects are not sharp or dangerous if dropped
- •Verify adequate space around each team's working area
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Falls from benches during height challenge
- •Collisions between team members during challenges
- •Unsafe supporting techniques in pen challenge
- •Competitive pressure leading to risk-taking behaviour
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear safety rules established before each challenge begins
- •Demonstration of safe supporting and leverage techniques
- •Immediate restart protocol when safety rules are broken
- •Teacher positioning for maximum visibility of all teams
- •Emphasis on teamwork over competition throughout
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position centrally to observe all teams simultaneously
- •Move between teams during planning phases to listen for unsafe ideas
- •Monitor competitive pressure and intervene if needed
- •Watch particularly carefully during physical support moments
Emergency Procedures
Stop all activity immediately if injury occurs, assess and provide appropriate first aid, ensure other teams understand to freeze until activity resumes