Warm ups prepare pupils both mentally and physically for the session: they are most effective if they are integral to the session, reflecting the learning outcome/s and stimulus of the lesson. Warm ups form a shared experience for the class, which, in turn, creates a supportive learning environment: a key pre-requisite for accelerated learning.
The video clip shows the teacher leading the class through a section of the warm up and discussing how each movement relates to the stimulus (see lesson plan). Each movement is then linked together to form a sequence. Pupils are encouraged to call out key vocabulary that corresponds to each movement.
Extract from the lesson plan
All warm ups must be cardio-vascular raising the pupils’ heart rate and body temperature and should include whole body activities and mobilise individual body parts. Mobilising body parts enables the joints to become lubricated, improving flexibility and shock absorbency.
Walking on the spot
Walking in time to the music with strong steps and swinging arms. Encourage deep breaths in for 4 counts then out for 4 counts as you march.
Ask pupils to imagine that they are a magnet with NORTH and SOUTH poles. Shake arms and hands up to the ceiling (NORTH) for 4 counts, then shaking down by your sides (SOUTH) for 4 counts whilst continuing to walk on the spot.
Jumping arms and legs out to the side to represent REPEL then bounce on the spot. Jumping arms and legs together again with a clap to represent ATTRACT then bounce on the spot. Keep legs pliable and always bend your knees when you land from a jump.
Circle the right arm backwards for 4 counts bending the knees each time the arms moves towards the floor. Repeat with the left arm.
Stepping forward, side and back with the right leg, coming through centre each time, followed by 2 jumps with claps in the centre. Repeat with the left leg.
Walking on the spot
Walking in time to the music with strong steps and swinging arms. Encourage deep breaths in for 4 counts then out for 4 counts as you march.
- Focus out to the front – no looking down!
- For a more strenuous workout, bring knees higher up to chest level as you march and expand arms to full stretch as you swing them.
Ask pupils to imagine that they are a magnet with NORTH and SOUTH poles. Shake arms and hands up to the ceiling (NORTH) for 4 counts, then shaking down by your sides (SOUTH) for 4 counts whilst continuing to walk on the spot.
- Keep shoulders down when you are shaking arms North, and let arms feel heavy as you shake them South!
- Encourage pupils to call out "NORTH" and "SOUTH" as they are doing this exercise, to facilitate retention of key vocabulary.
Jumping arms and legs out to the side to represent REPEL then bounce on the spot. Jumping arms and legs together again with a clap to represent ATTRACT then bounce on the spot. Keep legs pliable and always bend your knees when you land from a jump.
- Keep your feet pointing in the same direction as your knees e.g. knees over toes!
Circle the right arm backwards for 4 counts bending the knees each time the arms moves towards the floor. Repeat with the left arm.
- Keep the arms long and fingers stretched making the biggest circles possible.
- Change the direction of the arms circling backwards and then forwards. Try adding in 4 walks backwards as you ….circle the arm back and then walking forwards when you circle the arm forward.
Stepping forward, side and back with the right leg, coming through centre each time, followed by 2 jumps with claps in the centre. Repeat with the left leg.
