Lesson Plan

Grade/Subject: Phys. Ed. Unit: Gymnastics Lesson Duration: 33 Min

Date: April 10
Grade: 7s

OUTCOMES FROM ALBERTA PROGAM OF STUDIES

General Learning Outcomes:
Activity
Cooperation
Specific Learning Outcomes:
A-2
A-12
C-5
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Demonstrate expressive qualities of movement in relation to rolls,
supports, and balances.
- Demonstrate proper fall safety
- Demonstrate cooperation and respect while performing group balances.

ASSESSMENTS
Observations: Key Questions:
- Are students absorbing the force - What are the keys to falling
of their falls safely?
- Are students being safe when - Why is it important to learn
falling/rolling/balancing? how to fall?
- Are students following direction - How do you complete a safe
- Are students BUSY? roll?
- What is the spotter there for?
Written/Performance Assessments:
LEARNING RESOURCES CONSULTED
Resource #1:
MATERIALS AND EQUIPMENT
Mats
PROCEDURE
Introduction
As they come in from changing: Human Knot warm up
Accommodations:
Low-Management Time: have the mats placed in the center of the gym before class
begins.
Transition to Body: We are going to
Body
Learning Activity #1: Safety Talk
Fall Safety
Ask: Why is learning to fall properly important?
You fall in all different types of activities! Not just gymnastics. It is a very
important skill to have.
Do: Have the mats set up in a large circle around the center of the gym (where my
mat is) so that everyone will be able to see the demos. Quickly get everyone
paired up and on to a mat (12 mats approx.)

Say: Falling on your FEET is just like landing from a jump. You want to bend your
ankles and knees to absorb the force and land, toes, balls of feet, then ankles. It is
the same falling on your feet forwards, backwards, and sideways.

Have everyone on their knees on the mats

Say: When you are falling FORWARD on your HANDS it is important to have your
fingers spread out facing forward, and to bend your arms to absorb the fall. Your
head should be facing forward and looking up so that you fall on your chest (not
your face)
I want everyone to fall from their knees onto their mats 3 times each like this
(DEMO)
Make sure to dissipate the force by bending your wrists then elbows rather than
just falling flat.

Say: Once everyone has done 3 falls from their knees, they can try falling forward
from their feet now onto their hands IF they are comfortable doing so.
If they are not, that is OKAY, keep practicing falling from knees.

Say: When falling BACKWARDS on your HANDS it is important to keep your chin
to chest in order to protect your neck and head. Thumbs should be pointed
towards your bum, arms are extended, and you want to slap the floor with your
palms. The more force you dissipate that way, the less your body is impacted by.
Fall from a squat position first going from hips to back, legs coming up and arms
reaching out.
I want everyone to fall from a squat position 3 times. If you are comfortable after
those 3 times, you can try from a more upright position.

Learning Activity #2: Rolls

Front Rolls
Summersaults  can have a guided/aided front roll if they are not comfortable
doing so on their own.
Say: Keys: remember to keep chin to chest, push off with your legs, and use your
back to roll you through the motion. Trust yourself and your body and always
protect your neck.
Side Rolls
Say: Log Rolls  barrel rolls or log rolls are simple locomotor movements. Keep
arms and legs in, keep back straight and protect your head and neck.

Shoulder Rolls
Say: Tuck in your neck to the side opposite of the shoulder you want to roll on.
(i.e., left shoulder roll, your face would be facing your right shoulder.) Push off
with legs and use arms to keep yourself stable while in motion. Always keep chin
to chest and protect the neck.
Assessment/ differentiation:

Learning Activity #3: Basic Supports (Front and Back)

Say: A front support is when you have your head facing towards the floor and you
are in a balanced position. An example of this type of support would be… what?
Push Up position // Plank position // Downward Dog position // etc…

Say: A back support, therefore, is when your back is facing the floor (face is to the
sky). An example of this type of support would be… what?
Backwards Plank // Back Bridge // etc…

Say: you should be able to hold these positions for at least 3 seconds. We are
going to be doing some pyramid activities later on, and these positions and
supports will be important. We will get into some more complex supports where
spotters are needed to aid you in the completion of these maneuvers.

Ask: Where should you be putting your body weight if you are using each other in
the supports? Where is the most stable part of your partner?
Hips // Shoulders // Knees (depending on the positions)
Say: You must make sure to place your body weight on one of those areas, DO
NOT put your weight on their lower back, neck, or head it is NOT SAFE or
comfortable.
We are going to try these basic 3-person support balances and try and hold them
for at least 3 seconds.
We will be in groups of 4. 3 people in the supports, and 1-person SPOTTING.
Say: The person who is spotting is responsible for breaking/helping a fall if it
happens… NOT to do the move for the person or to hold them in place. They are
only there as a preventative safety! If the person you are spotting falls… try to
break the fall, DO NOT try and simply catch them. Group yourselves based on
height (i.e., do not have the tallest person and the shortest person in the same
group.)

Note: Grade 7s will be doing as many of the ‘Beginner’ balances as time allows.
Closure
Consolidation/Assessment of Learning: we are going to continue to practice these
things, and eventually get into groups and put together a routine that will
incorporate these skills.

Transition to Next Lesson: Tomorrow we are going to do more supports and some
pyramid building!