Jumping and Landing Softly on Two Feet
About this lesson
Children practise jumping with both feet and landing quietly with bent knees, first on the spot and then forward onto a paper spot. They finish by watching a partner and giving a thumbs up for soft landings. You need one scrap of paper per child, and it takes about 12 minutes.
- Grade
- 1
- Subject
- Gym & PE
- Time
- 12 min
- Prep
- 2 min
Objective
Students will take off and land on two feet, bending their knees to land softly and holding their balance for three seconds.
Prep
2 min: tear one scrap-paper spot per child
Materials
- scrap paper (one piece per child)
Steps
- Have each child put a paper spot on the floor with space all around it and stand just behind it. Show the jump: swing your arms back, bend your knees, jump, then land on both feet with bent knees, quiet as a cat.
- Say 'Jump and freeze' five times and have everyone jump straight up on the spot. After each landing, count '1, 2, 3' while they hold still, and ask whether the landings sounded noisy or quiet.
- Have children jump forward from behind their spot to land on it with two feet. Then step back farther and try again, still landing softly and freezing for three counts.
- Pair children up. One partner jumps three times while the other watches for bent knees and a quiet landing and gives a thumbs up, then they swap.
- End with a quick call-out round of 'forward jump', 'sideways jump' and 'tiny jump', with everyone freezing in a soft landing after each one.
Quick Check
Call 'Jump and freeze' once and scan the room for children who land on both feet with bent knees and hold still for three counts without wobbling.
Differentiation
Make it easier: Practise only small jumps on the spot, and let children hold a chair back or wall for balance as they land.
Make it harder: Have children jump onto their spot and immediately jump again to a partner's spot, landing softly both times without stepping.
Good For
- Morning warm-up
- Brain break
- Transition time
- Supply teacher
