Link Units for Gymnastics, Games and Dance
Key Stage 2 - 3 Transition

by Val Sabin 2004

The structure of the manual

This extremely comprehensive, detailed, and user friendly manual contains a short overall introduction and then is divided into three very distinct activity areas – each identified by different coloured pages for ease of access and fully indexed as a separate unit.

Each subject area – gymnastics, games and dance – has its own introduction containing sections on: - establishing the expected standards of performance; the transition between KS 2 and KS 3; the detailed structure and delivery of the unit; the link unit as part of The National Curriculum, and what's next?

Detailed subject specific material for each unit is then complemented by an additional section on skill; concepts and principles; and a final section on warming up.

The material content is divided into progressive phases i.e. Transition and Familiarisation phase followed by 6 more progressive phases. Each phase or progression could take one or two lessons to work through, depending upon the attitude and ability of the pupils.

Each link unit identifies learning objectives and expected learning outcomes linked to Q.C.A. guidance and delivery time is recommended to be 8-12 hours. Every individual phase and progression has its own short description of the focus of work and its expected learning outcomes.

The Gymnastics link unit

Throughout the manual, appropriate expectations and challenges are constantly reinforced. There is a detailed introduction to gymnastics and the material contained in the link unit, and a description of how the material forms an integral part of the National Curriculum. There is also an in depth section on "What next?” which gives ideas for further progression.

The unit has an over all theme of “Balance” and the learning objectives, medium-term framework, and expected learning outcomes of the unit are clearly identified together with key words or language for learning.

The material content is divided into 7 phases of development- Transition and Familiarisation, and 6 further progressions. In all phases the focus and expected learning outcomes are clearly identified and activities explore individual, pair, and small group work.

The use of music for warm-ups and sequence making, both on floor and apparatus is included in the material content, together with a CD of original music specially designed for the purpose.

Further advice on skill development, sequence making, safety (prior to and during the lesson) and using apparatus is included, together with specific ideas for general warm-ups to music and specific stretching activities.

The material may be photocopied within the purchasing school and there are a large number of additional resources contained in the learning package.

There are problem-solving cards, sequence cards, checklists and ideas’ cards together with the CD containing 8 tracks of specially designed music.

There is a detailed description of what children should be able to know, understand and do in gymnastics by the end of Key Stage 2 and by the end of Key Stage 3.

The Games link unit

There is a detailed introduction to the games unit which also includes a description of the material contained within it and how it forms an integral part of the National Curriculum. Additionally, there is a section on “What next?” which gives ideas for further progression.

The unit has an overall theme of “Attacking and Defending skills and strategies” and the objectives, medium-term framework, and expected learning outcomes are clearly identified together with key words and language for learning.

The material content is divided into 7 progressive phases of development- Transition and Familiarisation, and 6 further progressions covering net/wall, striking/fielding and invasion games, skills and principles

In all phases the focus and expected learning outcomes are clearly identified.

The use of game-like practices and mini-games reinforce principles of attack and defence and link-up similar strategies across the different games. Further advice on acquisition and development of games skills and strategies together with game concepts and principles of play is included. There are also specific ideas for general warm-ups, stretching exercises, and more focused activity at a higher pace.

The materials may be photocopied within the purchasing school, and there are a large number of additional resources within the learning package. These resources include warm-up cards, stretching cards, problem-solving activities and game cards which can be used either by pupils or by the teacher.

The learning package is completed with a detailed description of what children should be able to know, understand and do in games by the end of Key stage 2 and by the end of Key stage 3.

The Dance link unit

A detailed introduction to the dance unit also includes a description of the material contained within it and how it forms an integral part of the National Curriculum and the “What next?” section outlines what the next stage of dance should contain.

The dances contained in the unit are “Word Games”, “The Computer” and “Spy Games” (The last two can be combined to create “Computer Spy Games”) and are included in the over all theme of the unit which is “Games”. The learning objectives, unit framework and expected learning outcomes for the unit are clearly identified.

The material content provides suitably creative and complex material through the medium of abstract and dramatic situations. It is divided into 7 phases of development- Transition and Familiarisation, and 6 further progressions and in all phases the focus and expected learning outcomes are clearly identified together with Key words and language for learning.

One dance uses percussion as an accompaniment but the other two use electronic sounds and music. References to appropriate and specific tracks of sounds and music are included in the material content, together with the tracks to use for warm-ups. The CD of original music has been arranged specifically for the purpose.

Further information/advice on “The language of Dance, its movement content” and “Patterns, Phrases and motifs” form part of the package, together with specific ideas for general warm-ups to music and stretching activities.

The materials may be photocopied within the purchasing school and there are a large number of additional resources including Warm-up cards, Word cards, Word banks, checklists, motif body positions, idea cards and a CD containing 18 tracks specifically designed to accompany the material.

There is a detailed description of what children should be able to know, understand and do in dance by the end of Key Stage 2 and by the end of Key Stage 3.

How can the Link units be used?

There are several ways the units can be used to great effect.

1. Ideally the secondary school can use them as the first unit of work for each area of activity in Yr 7. This will enable pupils to be guided into the different teaching strategies used in Key Stage 3 and into more complex and challenging material. Teachers can also use the assessment sheets provided to make professional judgments about the levels of attainment of pupils. This information can then be used to decide on the type and level of further progression which is appropriate.

2. If a partnership uses a common scheme of work in all aspects of PE it could be agreed that the first one or two phases of each unit are delivered by the Primary schools at the very end of Key Stage 2. The continuing phases are then delivered by the receiving secondary school at the beginning of Yr 7 to give pupils a feeling of continuity and progression.

Which-ever way you choose to use the units; they will ensure a standardisation of experiences, ease pupils into new teaching strategies and approaches, and give teachers a more accurate understanding of the levels of attainment of a diverse group of children.

Assessment

A complete straight forward assessment system has been devised and presented for each unit of work. This system makes pupils aware of what they are aiming for, and enables teachers to make assessments about knowledge, skill and understanding against the attainment target level 4. This initial assessment can be used as a baseline from which to plan appropriate challenges and identify targets throughout Key Stage 3. It is presented in a form ready for immediate use.

Standardisation of experiences and understanding

There will always be a wide range of physical abilities in any group of children; however, what these link units provide is the framework for standardising experiences and understanding and enable further suitably challenging progression to be planned for all children. Those who have experienced the appropriate levels of work in primary schools will be able to recall and re-visit a range of essential skills and principles set in a very different, stimulating and challenging context, whilst those who have had less experience or who are less confident, will learn the necessary principles and movements in a creative, non-threatening environment.

Throughout the units, expectations for all pupils are high; a challenge is an integral part of every creative situation.

Tried and tested

All the material contained in the manual is tried, tested and proven to work, and pilot training days have been successfully conducted in each area of activity.