How does Hands-On Education help fulfil my KS2 Physical Education curriculum requirements?
Hands-On Education provides several activities that align with the KS2 Physical Education curriculum requirements. The KS2 Athletics activities cover running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination, as well as developing flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance. The Forest School Games activities incorporate outdoor and adventurous challenges both individually and within a team. The Olympics activities allow students to compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement. The Playground Games activities offer opportunities for competitive games and applying principles of attacking and defending. While swimming is not covered, these activities collectively address many of the key areas outlined in the National Curriculum for Physical Education at Key Stage 2, helping teachers fulfil curriculum requirements through engaging, hands-on learning experiences.
What specific activities can be included in a Hands-On Education PE curriculum for KS2?
Hands-On Education offers several activities that align with the KS2 Physical Education curriculum requirements. For KS2 Athletics, activities include running, jumping, throwing, and catching exercises that develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance. These activities cover all 8 lessons in the KS2 Athletics module.
The KS2 Forest School Games include outdoor and adventurous activity challenges both individually and within a team. Specifically, Activities 1, 2, 4, and 6 focus on outdoor adventures, while Activities 3 and 5 incorporate competitive games with principles of attacking and defending.
The Olympics module provides opportunities for students to compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement, particularly in Activities 7 and 8. These activities likely involve various Olympic sports and events that allow students to track their progress.
KS2 Playground Games offer a wide range of competitive games, modified where appropriate. All 9 activities in this module apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending. Additionally, Activities 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 specifically focus on running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination.
While Hands-On Education covers most aspects of the KS2 PE curriculum, it's worth noting that swimming and water safety are not included in their current offerings. Schools would need to provide swimming instruction separately to fulfil all curriculum requirements.
How can Hands-On Education integrate with the sequencing of PE units for KS2?
Hands-On Education can effectively integrate with the sequencing of PE units for KS2 in several ways:
Seasonal Alignment
Hands-On Education's activities can be sequenced to align with seasonal sports and outdoor opportunities:
- KS2 Athletics activities can be scheduled for spring/summer terms when outdoor track and field events are most feasible.
- KS2 Forest School Games can be integrated into autumn and spring terms to take advantage of changing outdoor environments.
Progressive Skill Development
The activities can be sequenced to build skills progressively throughout the year:
- Start with fundamental movement skills in KS2 Athletics and Playground Games.
- Progress to more complex team games and strategies in Forest School Games and Olympics activities.
Cross-Curricular Integration
PE units can be sequenced to complement other subject areas:
- Align Olympics activities with history lessons on ancient Greece.
- Coordinate Forest School Games with science units on ecosystems and nature.
Balanced Curriculum Coverage
Sequence activities to ensure comprehensive coverage of curriculum requirements:
- Alternate between individual skill-focused units (Athletics) and team-based units (Playground Games) throughout the year.
- Ensure a mix of indoor and outdoor activities across terms to address all weather conditions.
Assessment and Review
Integrate assessment opportunities within the sequence:
- Use initial activities in each unit for baseline assessments.
- Schedule review and performance comparison activities (like in Olympics module) at regular intervals.
By thoughtfully sequencing Hands-On Education's PE activities, teachers can create a comprehensive, engaging, and effective KS2 PE curriculum that meets national requirements while providing diverse and enjoyable learning experiences for students.
What are the benefits of using Hands-On Education in PE lessons for KS2 students?
Hands-On Education offers several benefits for KS2 PE lessons, enhancing the overall learning experience and physical development of students. The activities provided by Hands-On Education align closely with the National Curriculum requirements for Physical Education at Key Stage 2, ensuring comprehensive coverage of essential skills and knowledge.
One of the primary benefits is the focus on developing fundamental movement skills. Through activities in KS2 Athletics, Forest School Games, Olympics, and Playground Games, students have ample opportunities to practice running, jumping, throwing, and catching in isolation and combination[1]. This helps improve their overall physical literacy and motor skills development.
The hands-on approach encourages active participation and engagement, which is crucial for effective learning. Research has shown that kinesthetic learning, where students carry out physical activities rather than just listening to lectures, leads to better retention of information and improved attention[2]. This active involvement not only enhances physical skills but also boosts cognitive functions, potentially improving academic performance in other subjects.
Hands-On Education's activities also promote teamwork and critical thinking. Many of the games and challenges, especially in the Forest School Games and Playground Games modules, require students to work together, fostering important social skills, communication, and problem-solving abilities. These collaborative experiences prepare students for real-world situations where teamwork is essential.
Furthermore, the variety of activities offered by Hands-On Education helps prevent sedentary behavior and promotes healthy lifestyle habits. In an era where children are increasingly prone to inactive lifestyles, these PE lessons provide crucial opportunities for physical activity, contributing to overall health and well-being. The diverse range of activities also allows students to explore different sports and find physical activities they enjoy, potentially leading to lifelong healthy habits.
Lastly, Hands-On Education's approach to PE supports inclusive learning. The activities can be adapted to suit different abilities, ensuring that all students can participate and benefit from the lessons. This inclusivity not only promotes physical well-being for all students but also fosters empathy and understanding among peers.
How does Hands-On Education support the development of fundamental movement skills in KS2?
Hands-On Education supports the development of fundamental movement skills in KS2 through a variety of activities across different modules:
KS2 Athletics
The KS2 Athletics module provides comprehensive coverage of fundamental movement skills, with all 8 activities focusing on running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination[1]. These activities help develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance, which are key components of fundamental movement skills.
KS2 Forest School Games
The Forest School Games module incorporates outdoor and adventurous activities that challenge students both individually and within teams. Activities 2, 3, and 5 specifically focus on developing fundamental skills like running, jumping, throwing and catching.
Olympics Module
Activities 7 and 8 in the Olympics module allow students to compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement. This aligns with the progression of fundamental movement skills, encouraging students to refine and enhance their abilities over time.
KS2 Playground Games
The Playground Games module offers a wide range of activities that apply basic principles suitable for attacking and defending. Activities 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, and 9 specifically focus on fundamental skills like running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination.
By providing this diverse range of activities, Hands-On Education ensures that KS2 students have ample opportunities to practice and develop their fundamental movement skills across different contexts and challenges. This approach aligns with best practices in physical education, which emphasize the importance of mastering these foundational skills for future physical activities and sports participation.
Can Hands-On Education help in meeting the health-related exercise requirements for KS2?
Hands-On Education offers several activities that can help meet the health-related exercise requirements for KS2 students. The KS2 Athletics module provides comprehensive coverage of fundamental movement skills, with all 8 activities focusing on running, jumping, throwing and catching in isolation and combination. These activities help develop flexibility, strength, technique, control and balance, which are key components of physical fitness.
The KS2 Forest School Games module incorporates outdoor and adventurous activities that challenge students both individually and within teams. These activities can contribute to improved cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, and coordination. The Olympics module allows students to compare their performances with previous ones and demonstrate improvement, encouraging them to track their progress and strive for personal bests.
While Hands-On Education's activities align well with many health-related exercise requirements, it's important to note that they do not cover swimming and water safety, which are also part of the KS2 curriculum. Additionally, to fully meet health guidelines, children aged 5-12 years should engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day, which may require supplementing Hands-On Education activities with other forms of exercise.
By incorporating Hands-On Education's PE activities into a broader physical education program, schools and educators can help students reap the numerous benefits of regular physical activity, including improved cardiovascular fitness, maintenance of a healthy weight, better sleep patterns, increased self-esteem, and enhanced concentration.
