Reception Cooperate & Solve Problems Unit 1 Lesson 3

Lesson Summary

Learning Intentions

  • Sustain physical activity over time in order to raise heart rate
  • Replicate body shapes with some accuracy to represent numbers
  • Cooperate with a partner to represent larger numbers using combined body shapes

Success Criteria

  • I can run around and feel my heart beating faster
  • I can try to make numbers with my body
  • I can work with a friend to show bigger numbers together

We are learning...

to use our bodies to make number shapes.

Links to Early Leaning Goals

PD – Engage in physical activity for sustained periods to develop stamina and coordination.

CL – Use number words correctly while communicating and cooperating with a partner.

M – Recognise and name numbers, and work with a partner to replicate larger numbers using body shapes.

Equipment

  • Throw-down spots/hoops
  • Mats
  • Number shapes handout (printed from resources)

Key Questions

  • How do we use numbers in our everyday lives?
  • When might you need to write down a number?
  • Was there a number shape that you found tricky to make with your body? What made it hard?

Teaching Points

See individual teaching points for the number shapes on the resource card.

Lesson Content

Starter Activity

Number Islands –

Place hoops or mats around the space to act as “islands” for the children to move between.

How to Play:

  • Children move freely around the area using different ways of travelling, such as jogging, sidestepping, or bunny hopping.
  • Keep them moving for 5–8 minutes to help raise their heart rate.
  • Ask them: Can you feel your heart beating? Can you count how many beats in 20 seconds?

Teacher Instruction:

  • While moving call out a number (e.g. 3). Children must quickly group themselves into that number and stand together on one of the mats or spots.
  • Start with smaller numbers (e.g. 2 or 3) and increase as the children become more confident.
  • Any child who doesn’t find a group performs that number of star jumps (e.g. if the group was 3, they do 3 star jumps).

Extension: Once in their group, ask children to hold a simple balance together—such as a tuck, a one-foot balance, etc.

A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content

Activity 1

Gym number shapes

  • Using the teacher’s number shapes resource card, take the children through each of the body shapes.
  • Use the teaching points and demonstration to explain to the children how to create each body shape.
  • Pair pupils up and give them a pupil resource card. Ask children to work through numbers 1 to 10, helping each other form the shapes.
A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content

Activity 2

Partner gym number shapes

  • Once the pupils have had a chance to work through each of the numbers on the sheet, they should now work with a partner to create double-digit numbers.
  • Starting with lower numbers up to 20, work through a range of double-digit numbers.
  • Ensure pupils swap roles so the same person does not always perform the 1 of 13, 18, or 19, for example.

Extension: Remove the resource card, so they must show the numbers from memory. Can they transfer the numbers from standing to lying on the mat?