Year 5 Athletics Lesson 6

Lesson Summary

Learning Intentions

  • Work in small groups to design a running, jumping or throwing event.
  • Choose suitable distance, equipment, time and space.
  • Teach the event to another group.

Skill Development Teaching STEP principle

Success Criteria

  • I can explain the STEP principle.
  • I can select equipment suitable for my event.
  • I can work with others to plan and teach an activity.

We are learning...

to design a running, jumping or throwing activity for others using the STEP principle.

Curriculum Links

NC Think about important aspects needed to plan an event

L Speak clearly and confidently to explain an activity.

N Measure or time runs, jumps and throws accurately.

Equipment

  • Tennis balls
  • Sets of equipment for each group, e.g. cones, tape measure, drop watches, throwing equipment
  • Paper or whiteboards
  • Pens

Key Questions

  • What does STEP stand for?
  • How can changing one element (e.g. space) affect an activity?
  • Why is it best not to change too many things at once?

STEP

Teaching the STEP principle

  • S = SPACE
  • T = TASK
  • E = Equipment
  • P = People

Considerations to guide pupils through their activity

  • Running Decide if it will be an individual sprint or a team relay.
  • Throwing Choose the type of throw and the most suitable equipment.
  • Jumping Will pupils jump for height or distance, from standing or with a run-up?
  • Space Check how much space you have and organise activities safely.
  • Equipment Make best use of what is available.
  • Grouping Use small groups so pupils stay active and avoid waiting.
  • Scoring Decide how to measure success (time, distance, points, accuracy).
  • Teaching Points Keep instructions simple so pupils can quickly teach their event to another group.

Lesson Content

Starter Activity

Ball Tag– The objective of the game is to avoid being tagged by the tagger.

Set up:

  • Split the class in half and have two games of 15.
  • Each group has one person who is the ‘tagger’
  • Each group has two tennis balls

How to play:

  • Players holding a ball cannot be tagged.
  • Players pass the ball to protect teammates.
  • If tagged, players must freeze.
  • Game ends when only the 2 players with balls remain unfrozen.

Extension: 1) Tagged players become taggers. 2) Players can release teammates who are frozen by giving them a high five.

A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content

What is STEP?

The STEP framework is designed to support effective teaching and learning in PE. It provides a simple way to adapt, differentiate, and extend lessons and activities. Over the past 10 years, STEP has been widely promoted through PE resources and CPD courses, and is often used by children in leadership roles such as Young Leaders or Sports Leaders. Its strength lies in its simplicity, which has made it a popular tool applied in many different ways across PE and sport.

A guideline image demonstrating this lesson plan content

Activity

In this activity, children will work in groups to plan a running, throwing, or jumping event. Each group should:

  • Select an Event: Choose whether you want to plan a running, jumping, or throwing activity. Each group needs to plan only one event.
  • Use Resources Provided: The teacher will provide each group with a set of equipment and a designated space to work on your event.
  • Plan Your Event: You will be given a specific amount of time to plan your event. Use this time effectively to get your activity ready.
  • Teach and Learn: Once planning time is over, pupils teach their activity to another group. After teaching your session, learn the activity planned by another group.
  • Optional Competition: Consider turning the activities into a competition where groups can earn points based on their performance in the activities.
  • Tools for Planning: It may be useful to use whiteboards or paper and pens for mapping out ideas. Also, think about creating a scorecard that fits your activity.

Extension: If a group finishes early and feels ambitious, they can start designing an additional event.

Safety: Make sure the children consider safety when setting up the activities. Are there any specific rules that should be introduced to make sure everybody is kept safe?

Discussion: Talk about the role of leadership. What is a leader? What makes a good leader? Why might that be important in these activities?

What is STEP

Using the handout take pupils through the key features of STEP.

✔︎ Space

  • How much space do we need to play safely?
  • Can we mark the area with cones?
  • Do we need a safe zone for players waiting for their turn?

✔︎ Task

  • What is the activity we want others to do?
  • Is it clear and easy to understand?
  • Do the players know what they are trying to achieve e.g. jump as far as possible
  • Will it be fun to try?

✔︎ Equipment

  • What equipment do we need for this activity?
  • Do we have enough for everyone?
  • Can everyone use it safely and fairly?
  • Could we swap or change equipment if needed?

✔︎ People

  • How many people should play at once?
  • What size should the groups be?
  • How can we make sure everyone can take part?