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- PE Strand-Based Resources
- Gymnastics
Gymnastics in physical education is concerned with the use of movement in a creative way in response to set tasks, both individually and with others. Children explore movement on the floor and when negotiating a variety of equipment. The gymnastics curriculum encourages children to participate in movement experience that are open to personal interpretation, providing every child with the opportunity to experience success at a personal level, by engaging in challenging but realistically achievable tasks. As the children progress through a sequential programme they are encouraged to strive for more control over their movements and to respond to more complex tasks. They can be helped to enjoy and develop an appreciation of gymnastics while realising individual potential and limitations, thus enhancing overall development.
Primary School PE Curriculum, page 4.
- PDST Gymnastics Resources
- Other Gymnastics Resources
Primary Gymnastics - Rolling
The PDST Primary PE team has developed a set of video demonstrations and skill cards for rolling techniques.
Primary Gymnastics - Rolling activities
This resource explores rolling organisation, rolling games, rolling sequences, animal walks, warm ups and cool downs.
Primary Gymnastics – Key Movements
This resource explores shapes, travel, jumping and landing, balance, sequences, handstands and cartwheels.
The Fun Gym Circuit
Circuit with 12 activities to help develop a variety of skills and muscle groups used in gymnastics.
Gymnastics Sequence Task Cards
Sample gymnastics task card that can be used by groups, pairs or individuals to make a gymnastics sequence.
Gymnastics Balance Task Cards
Sample gymnastics task card that can be used to engage in a variety of individual and paired balances groups used in gymnastics.
Available in Irish and English.
Embedding FMS in PE – Move Well Move Often
Move Well Move Often Physical Literacy website with resources which can be used to develop FMS, motivation and confidence as well as knowledge and understanding in all strands of PE.
Varying Movement Actions for Gymnastics and Dance
Resource outlining examples of how gymnastics concepts such as shapes, directions, pathways, levels, dynamics and relationships can be varied within activities.
Embedding FMS in Gymnastics – Sample Lessons
Sample lesson plans highlighting how fundamental movement skills can be embedded in gymnastics lessons.
Embedding FMS in Gymnastics – Move Well Move Often
Resource which highlights specific Move Well Move Often skills and activities suitable for gymnastics.
Sample Gymnastics Lesson
Two sample gymnastics lesson plans exploring balance and landing.
Sample Inclusive PE Lesson
Sample modified gymnastics lesson plan for children with physical disabilities - suitable for all ages.
120 non contact activities for physical education across the primary school
The PDST Primary PE team has developed non contact activities to support the teaching of Physical Education across the primary school.
Children’s books for wellbeing
This resource explores how books can be used as a stimulus for movement, creativity and physically expressing emotions in PE gymnastics lessons. Example gymnastics activities are included.
PE Homework – Active Every Day Activity Book and Homework Charts
PE homework activities and charts to complement PE strand based learning undertaken in school. Specific gymnastics activities included.
PSSI Lesson Plans
6 sample gymnastics lessons across all primary school class levels.
PE at home
A series of video clips that aim to complement strand based learning in PE at home. 6 gymnastics lessons for pupils to complete at home are included.
Beyond the classroom
PE homework videos and activity packs to compliment PE FMS learning undertaken in school.
Travelling in Gymnastics - Animal Walks
A short video clip example from the PE at Home resource of the bunny jump and caterpillar animal walks. Descriptions of further animal walks and animal walk games available here.
Cooperative learning
Cooperative learning is an instructional approach which supports pupils to work and learn together in PE. Cooperative learning can be used across any strand of the PE curriculum and has been shown to positively impact PE.
Gymnastics Travelling Sequence
A short video clip example from the PE at Home resource of a gymnastics travel sequence created by a pupil. Gymnastics sequencing cards available to download here.
Move Well Move Often
An Inclusive Approach to the Development of Physical Literacy for All Pupils. This resource is full of strategies for inclusion for pupils with physical disabilities and learning needs and pupils who are autistic, blind or vision impaired, or deaf or hard of hearing.
Selected open access resources which may be adapted to the Irish context from other organisations are linked below. Please note these are external resource not designed by the PDST and teachers should ensure they are appropriate for their own classes before use.
Educa Gym
Website with a variety of teaching resources for gymnastics including balances, station activities and skill progressions.
Action for life – Gymnastics lessons for PE
Action for Lifeis an Irish heart foundation PE and SPHE programme for primary schools. The programme includes lesson plans with activities and resources. This resource links to PDST Move Well Move Often and physical literacy development. It includes gymnastic strand lessons for junior, middle and senior classes.
Disentangling Inclusion in Primary Physical Education (DIPPE)
This online resource highlights practices, strategies and resources to support teachers to include all children in primary PE lessons, with a focus on children with additional needs. Gross/Fine motor skills, sensory, communication, physical capabilities, attention/concentration and social, emotional, relational are some of the areas explored.
PE Support Agencies
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