KS2 · Physical education · Year 4
Symmetry
Gymnastics: symmetry and asymmetry
Learn it. Recall it. Make it stick.
IllumED Slides
IllumED · 1/10
Your learning goal
I can create a variety of quality movements and balances in a symmetrical way.
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Symmetry: slides adapted from the imported teaching text; recall questions created from its keywords, learning points and common mistakes. Self-check practice, with no automatic grading or XP. Answers stay on this page and are cleared when you leave.
What you’ll learn
I can create a variety of quality movements and balances in a symmetrical way.
Key learning points
- Move: quality symmetrical movements require moving the body with both sides in sync and are controlled with extension.
- Move: quality pair symmetrical balances require holding our balance still with extension, creating a line of symmetry.
- Think: ensuring two different levels and connection points within balances demonstrates creative gymnastics.
- Feel: trying to find the line of symmetry in our actions requires determination and integrity to keep trying.
- Connect: working effectively with a partner to create a symmetrical balance requires respect.
Words to know
- balance
- maintaining a desired shape completely still
- symmetrical
- when a balance or a movement is identical on either side
- creativity
- the ability to generate, imagine or produce new and original ideas, concepts or solutions
Common mistakes
Pupils forget the line of symmetry in their balances. Pupils always mirror their partner when creating symmetrical balances and always want to connect to their partner using the same body parts.
The content in cycle 3 will help with this but pupils will need lots of model examples to see how symmetrical balances can still be created without always mirroring their partner.
For parents, carers and teachers
- Drip feed the explanation throughout the practice task. Provide lots of models of symmetrical balances with different levels and connection points to support pupil understanding. Mix up the pairings so that pupils work with a variety of partners to help with creative thinking.