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Lesson 3 - Effective Teamwork and Communication

Advanced Team Problem Solving Through Physical Challenges

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Year 6

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Outdoor Adventurous Activities

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Big Question

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

Gymnastics Benches

7 benches

Position benches with adequate space between for safety

Alternative: Low balance beams, sturdy boxes, or marked floor lines

Dish Cones

20-30 cones

Ensure items can stand upright and are visible to all teams

Alternative: Plastic bottles, bean bags, or small cones

Markers

6-8 markers

Clear, visible lines that teams cannot cross

Alternative: Rope, chalk lines, or tape on floor

Key Vocabulary

Collaboration

Working together effectively towards a common goal

Strategy

A planned approach or method to solve a problem or complete a challenge

Leadership

Guiding and motivating others whilst taking responsibility for team success

Tactical thinking

Analysing a situation and choosing the best approach based on available resources

Lever technique

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

Taking initiative in team discussions

Supporting struggling team members without being asked

Adapting communication style for different team members

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