We have finished the term in PE doing short tennis.  We have been focusing on developing our hitting ability both individually and with a partner.

P4 have been playing bench ball in PE.  It has been lovely to watch the improvements in awareness and understanding.  Some of the skills we have had to use in the games are passing, catching, aiming, movement, decision making, cooperation and timing.

P4 started a dance block this week in PE.  One of our themes this week was a snake dance.  In groups of 4, one behind the other with the front person the leader.  The leader was to show clear actions that rippled down the snake’s body as each person copied.

Here we are performing.

This was our last week of gymnastics.  The class have loved this block, especially the equipment.  We have seen lots and lots of learning taking place including balance and control, co-ordination, gross motor skills, core stability, strength, flexibility, stamina and confidence, as well as less obvious aspects like respect and tolerance, decision making and prioritising.  P4 have shown a good level of ability and learned a lot of new skills.

Here we are exploring this weeks equipment.

P4 were delighted to see the trampette out this week.  This is a miniature trampoline that you use like a springboard.  The pupil steps on and jumps off showing a 1 foot-2 feet-2 feet foot pattern.  Other changes included a double bar, a high bench, a high ladder, obstacles on the beam, the springboard beside our long box and the wide box was another block higher.

Here we are in action.

Week 2 of the equipment saw a different set up for the pupils to explore.  The main differences were we had the ropes out, included a change of direction, the wide box was slightly higher and the bench up to the long box was flat and lower.

Here are some pictures of us working.

The class were very excited to see the gym full of all the gymnastics equipment last week.  While developing skills and techniques, P4 are focusing on

Balance and Control – required on the narrow pieces of equipment, when we land, in many of the skills and throughout our gymnastics lesson,

Kinaesthetic Awareness – this is being aware of the body while we move.  A lot of our learning in gymnastics comes from feeling our body positions and movements,

Multi-Processing – In gymnastics all the information is given at the beginning of the lesson for the pupil to use at the appropriate time.

Here we are exploring.

P4 have finished the term in the gym doing Games Making.  In small groups, they had to follow weekly instructions to create a group game or activity.  Key areas of focus have been

• how to work as a group
• developing confidence to voice ideas and opinions
• accepting other people’s ideas and comments
• being able to adapt ideas to make them better
• being able to follow the instructions.

We have also started our swimming block.  Today we looked at why being flexible can help our swimming ability.  Swimming continues after the holidays.

SWIMMING STARTS TOMORROW FOR P4

Our 6 week block of swimming starts tomorrow, Friday 29th September.  We leave school at 9.05am, returning about 10.35am.

Please remember your swimming kit and long hair should be tied back.

We have started the year in PE with a games skills block.  We worked on both individual skills and performing them in harder, more unpredictable situations.   We learnt what an attacker and defender are and discussed what to do in both roles.