Lesson 5 - Team Building and Strategy
Mastering Team Communication and Strategic Collaboration
•Year 6
•Outdoor Adventurous Activities
•Start Planning Better PE Lessons
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How can effective communication and strategic planning help teams achieve success in challenging situations?
Learning Objectives
- To develop effective communication skills within team contexts
- To understand the importance of strategic planning before beginning activities
- To apply tactical thinking in competitive team situations
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate clear communication during team activities
- Students will contribute to team strategy discussions and planning
- Students will show adaptability when tactics need to change during activities
Equipment & Resources Required
Arrange in 3x3 grid formation for each group
Alternative: Floor spots, chalk circles, poly spots
Distribute randomly to students in each group
Alternative: Laminated numbers, bibs with numbers, cones with numbers
Check comfort and ensure no vision through gaps
Alternative: Eye masks, scarves, fabric strips
Attach securely to clothing around body
Alternative: Velcro strips, fabric tags, foam shapes
Check for safety - no sharp edges
Alternative: Pool noodles, rolled newspaper, soft foam tubes
Various colours for different purposes - boundaries, jails, gauntlet
Alternative: Markers, posts, chalk lines
Place in designated zones, easily visible and grabbable
Alternative: Coloured bibs, bean bags, small balls
Key Vocabulary
A plan of action designed to achieve a team goal
Specific methods used to carry out a strategy during an activity
Sharing information clearly and listening effectively to teammates
Working together in a well-organised way to achieve team success
Changing your approach when the original plan isn't working
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic cooperation skills from previous OAA lessons
- Understanding of simple team roles and responsibilities
- Experience with problem-solving activities
Current Skills
- Strategic planning and communication
- Tactical thinking under pressure
- Leadership and followership skills
Next Steps
- Complex multi-team strategies
- Independent team leadership
- Advanced tactical analysis and adaptation
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Effective teams plan before they act and communicate throughout
- Strategic thinking involves observation, planning, execution, and adaptation
- Every team member has valuable contributions regardless of physical ability
- Communication under pressure requires practice and specific techniques
- Great teams learn from every attempt and adapt their strategies
- Leadership can be shared and different situations require different leaders
- Team success depends on everyone understanding and fulfilling their role
Common Misconceptions
- Strategy means complexity - actually, simple clear plans often work best
- The loudest person should lead - effective leadership can be quiet and thoughtful
- Teams should stick to original plans - adaptability is crucial for success
- Only athletic students can contribute - strategic thinking is equally valuable
- Competition means individual excellence - team sports require collective success
- Communication means talking constantly - listening and timing are equally important
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Defined roles with clear responsibilities, regular movement breaks, immediate feedback on strategic contributions
dyspraxia
- Simplified movement patterns, extra time for strategy processing, buddy support for coordination activities
autism spectrum
- Clear structure for strategy discussions, predictable role assignments, quiet zones available for processing
visual impairment
- Use bright coloured equipment, provide verbal descriptions of spatial layouts, buddy system for navigation
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for communication, written strategy cards, clear visual demonstrations of tactics
physical disability
- Adapted roles within teams, modified equipment as needed, focus on strategic contribution rather than physical action
Cross-Curricular Links
English
Communication skills, listening and speaking in team contexts, vocabulary development for strategy and tactics
Maths
Strategic planning sequences, geometric understanding of space and positioning, timing and coordination calculations
Science
Understanding of sound and hearing in blindfolded activities, forces and movement in game tactics
Geography
Spatial awareness and navigation, understanding of territory and boundaries in games
PSHE
Leadership skills, cooperation and teamwork, resilience when strategies don't work, inclusion and supporting others
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Move between activity areas to observe strategic discussions and provide guidance
Observation Focus
Watch for communication effectiveness, strategic thinking development, and inclusive participation
Intervention Points
Step in when teams struggle with strategy, communication breaks down, or safety concerns arise
Demonstration Notes
Demonstrate strategic thinking processes, effective communication methods, and tactical adaptations observed during activities
Verbal Cues
- •'What's your team strategy?'
- •'How can you communicate that better?'
- •'Great teams adapt when needed!'
- •'Include everyone in your planning!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large indoor/outdoor space minimum 30m x 20m for multiple activities
Surface Check
Even, non-slip surface free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Check blindfolds are clean and comfortable
- •Ensure foam batons have no sharp edges or damage
- •Verify pegs attach securely without causing discomfort
- •Confirm cones are stable and visible
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Collisions during blindfolded activities
- •Overexertion during competitive games
- •Contact during tagging activities
- •Trips and falls in complex game areas
Risk Mitigation
- •Clear boundaries established for all activities
- •Proper demonstration of safe tagging techniques
- •Regular monitoring of blindfolded participants
- •Adequate spacing between activity areas
- •Progressive difficulty increase throughout lesson
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all activity areas
- •Monitor blindfolded activities closely
- •Watch for appropriate contact during tagging
- •Ensure fair play and inclusion
Emergency Procedures
Stop activity immediately, assess situation, provide appropriate first aid or support, clear communication with other students