travelling in gymnastics ks2

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Gymnastics: travelling

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PE activity module for KS2 Children (Yrs 3&4)

Look out for our Baby Shark BONUS challenge at the bottom of this page

Activity: 1

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Lesson Plan 1 

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Lesson Plan 1

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Activity 4: make it harder.

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Baby shark core strength challenge.

Are you teaching gymnastics lessons this term? Why not try the Baby Shark Core Strength Challenge? You can do it as part of your warm up, make it a challenge between the girls and boys, or even do it in the classroom. Its great fun for the children and teachers too.

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Learning Intention: How can you perform a Straight Jump with a turn?

• I can perform straight jump with 1⁄4 turn in a sequence showing some control and body tension
• I can perform a straight jump with 1⁄4 and 1⁄2 turn in a sequence with control and body tension
• I can perform a straight jump with 1⁄2 and full turn in a sequence with control, body tension and pointed toes

Learning Intention: How can you travel in different ways?

• I can travel using my own ideas
• I can travel across a mat with some fluency and control
• I can travel with fluency, control and pointed toes and linking into my sequence

Learning Intention: How can you perform a Teddy Bear Roll?

• I can attempt to perform a Teddy Bear roll
• I can perform a Teddy Bear roll with some control
• I can perform a Teddy Bear roll with control and pointed toes

Learning Intention:

Learning intention: how can you perform a variety of point and patch balances and link them into a a sequence.

• I can perform a Point and Patch balance sequence with some body tension and control
• I can perform a Point and Patch balance sequence with body tension, control and some fluency
• I can perform a Point and Patch balance sequence with good body tension, control and fluency

Learning Intention: How can you perform matching and mirroring balances?

• I can perform a matching and mirroring balance in a sequence with some control
• I can perform a matching and mirroring balance in a sequence with control and precision
• I can perform complex matching and mirroring balances in a sequence with control, precision and fluency

Learning Intention: How can you perform a Bunny Hop on apparatus?

• I can bunny hop onto low apparatus
• I can bunny hop onto apparatus from standing with control
• I can bunny hop onto apparatus with control

Learning Intention: How can you perform a Bunny Hop on various apparatus?

• I can perform a bunny hop onto low apparatus
• I can bunny hop onto apparatus from standing with control, and some precision
• I can bunny hop onto apparatus with a short run up showing control, precision and fluency

Learning Intention: How can you perform a sequence on the floor?

• I can perform a sequence showing body tension and some control
• I can perform a sequence showing good body tension, control and pointed toes
• I can perform a sequence using different levels showing good body tension, control and fluency

Learning Intention: How can you perform a sequence on mats?

• I can perform a sequence in unison showing body tension and some control
• I can perform a sequence in unison showing different levels, good body tension and control
• I can perform a sequence in unison showing different levels with good timing, control and fluency

Learning Intention: How can you perform a sequence on apparatus?

• I can perform a sequence on apparatus showing body tension and some control
• I can perform a sequence on apparatus showing body tension, control and pointed toes
• I can perform a sequence using different levels showing good body tension and control

Learning Intention: How can you choose elements to make a sequence?

• I can perform a sequence using the four compulsory elements
• I can perform a sequence using both the compulsory elements and optional elements
• I can create a sequence choosing the more complex optional elements and perform with control

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The PE Specialist

Awesome Resources for Physical Education Teachers

How to Teach Gymnastics Skills in PE

So you’re getting ready for your Gymnastics Unit and looking for some ideas?   

You’re wondering how to get the boys that are “too cool” to buy in to your unit?

You’re wondering about safety and anxious that kids might get hurt while trying different movements?

That’s exactly how I felt when I was planning my first gymnastics unit.

I thought I would share how I teach gymnastics at my school to give you a few ideas as you plan your next unit.

First off – I think it’s really important to sell your kids on the importance of learning gymnastics, which is basically just body management.  Throughout the unit your students will learn to control their bodies while moving in a ton of different ways.   You can also throw in things like Parkour – which is form of body management that kids (especially boys) will resonate with.

I always talk to my kids about the fact that the strength, flexibility and balance that you will gain from working on gymnastics skills will transfer easily to every other sport that you might want to pursue .  

So even if you’re kids never take a gymnastics class, the skills will help them achieve success in other areas.  It’s really important to discuss this with your students so they will understand the “WHY” behind the instruction and realize that if they put in the effort, they will reap the benefits even if they never pursue gymnastics outside of school. 

Always Know the Why 👊🏻

So once you’re confident that you can explain to your students WHY you are teaching a Gymnastics Unit and how it will benefit them and help them become a better version of themselves, it’s time to give them a hook to spark their interest.

I usually begin with an overview of the unit, some rules via a Prezi and a quick gymnastics highlight video, you can see an example of a few excerpts from my unit intro below.

* Older Unit Intro Video Here

If you have a screen or projector and would like to use my Prezi for your Gymnastics unit, feel free to check it out HERE .   Just create an account and copy it to your own account and you should be able to make changes as you want to fit your unit. 

Sidenote :  If you have a setup similar to mine with a screen/projector a good alternative if you don’t have the ability to do an iPad mirror is using a laptop with a bluetooth keyboard  if you want mouse capabilities (like the one I’m using above) or a Presenter/Clicker if you’re just doing slides.

If you want to show a gymnastics video – the one below is one I was showing in my Unit Intro video above, it’s a great example of both talented guys and girls and also has a nice teamwork and sportsmanship component to it.

I usually do a 3-4 week unit and focus on a couple of skill components during each lesson plan, modifying the content and difficulty for each grade level to keep it age appropriate and build on prior knowledge.  FYI – I see my kids once a week for 50 minutes, so it’s usually 3-4 total lessons.

See an example of what the breakdown would look like below:

Gymnastics Unit Overview

Week 1 – Traveling ( 1st Grade ) ( 3rd Grade )

• Animal Travels
• Cartwheel/Roundoff
• Create Your Own Travels

  View this post on Instagram   3rd grade gymnasts showing off their traveling skills today in week 1 of our gymnastics unit ????‍♂️ . Duck walk Knee jump Knee walk Seal walk Squat through . Shoulder roll (AKA safety roll) Forward roll Backward shoulder roll And everyone’s favorite … Cartwheels ????‍♀️???? . Proud of these kiddos for staying focused and working hard ???????? (most of them anyway ????) . #physicaleducation #physed #pegeeks #iteachpe #pe #peteacher #elempe A post shared by Ben Landers (@thepespecialist) on Nov 28, 2018 at 11:57am PST

Week 2 – Balancing & Jumping and Landing 

• Review Rules and Travels from last week (see video below)

• Using my 25 Awesome Balancing Challenges E-Book Task Cards and Poster or if you have a screen playing “ This or That ” (see video below)

• Using PE Geek App or BalanceIt Task Cards
• Jumping and landing on the mat and then off the equipment – Stick that Landing!
• Jumping Tricks (2nd – 5th)

• Create a Sequence using previously learned skills (Travel, Balance, Jump)

  View this post on Instagram   Clip from last weeks lesson on balancing and jumping and landing . 3rd graders working on some jumping tricks???? . Focus – stick your landing by landing on your toes and bending your knees???????? . #physicaleducation #physed #pegeeks #iteachpe #pe #peteacher #elempe A post shared by Ben Landers (@thepespecialist) on Dec 11, 2018 at 4:26pm PST

You can download the poster below for free at the bottom of this page. 

You can see the balance sheet in action with this Twitter share from Mike Graham

Individual Balance Practice as part of gymnastics lesson 2. The balance sheet you see is from @thepespecialist you can find it here https://t.co/15K8U2fNed #PhysEd pic.twitter.com/SRjRiBo3rr — Mike Graham (@pe4everykid) September 21, 2022

Week 3 – Create A Routine

• Review Travels, Balances & Jumping and Landing
• Have students come up with a Sequence or Routine combining all the elements they have learned
• Perform the Sequence after giving students time to practice

During this week I have my older students write their routine down to help them think through it and also just to have a piece of evidence to show learning.   You can see an example of the worksheet I use below – It’s available in my Gymnastics Resource Pack.

If you see your students more than once a week and have more time to devote to the unit, this is a great time to integrate some technology and video your students routines and then watch them all as a class via a projector or TV.   I wish I had enough time to do this because I think it would be an awesome learning experience to talk through the different routines as a class.

• Jumping and Landing
• Balancing Challenges
• Partner Balances
• Balance Beams
• Cartwheels/Roundoffs
• Exercise Station
• Rings or Bars if you have them
• Create a sequence

You can see the station sign holders that I used in the video below, if you want to check them out you can find them by clicking here.  

Note : The slips have vertical and horizontal orientations, so make sure to select the one you want… or get both if you need both orientations.

The Culminating Experience ( Gymnastics Activity Skill Stations )

Taking a note from the Sport Education Model, I try to end each unit of instruction that I teach with a culminating experience for my students.  I want them to look forward to it and remember it from year to year.  Usually it’s a super fun game, some type of tournament or a bunch of exciting activity stations.  

The students get pretty pumped about the last week of our gymnastics unit when we do the activity stations because we have a small trampoline that they get to vault over equipment (See below for an example of my Kindy Students)

  View this post on Instagram   A post shared by Ben Landers (@thepespecialist)

Students also get to practice jumping off equipment, practicing skills on the balance beams, doing the rope swing and watch themselves perform different travels on the TV with an app called BAM video delay.  

Kids are just like adults in that they really enjoy autonomy and working towards mastery (sidenote: if you want to learn more about what motivates us as humans check out the book Drive: by Dan Pink , it gave me some great perspective for teaching)  Anyway – stations is a great way to give students that independent practice that they desire and need in order to work towards mastering a skill.   Also, they are a great tool for teachers to use to free themselves up to give one-on-one feedback, and assess student skill and behavior either formally or informally.  ( here’s a few examples of our stations in action )

You can see an example of the way I have my Gymnastics stations setup below:

Also, here’s a more detailed breakdown of the Rope Swing Station Levels:

You can see a highlight video of our gymnastics stations that I created with iMovie below.

I create these videos periodically to share with our teachers, admin and parents so they know what we’re doing in PE class.  If you want to learn how to create something similar – check out my iMovie Tutorial Here.

The Balance Board Station

Since filming the videos above I’ve gotten a few balance boards since it was something I always found really fun and challenging,  you can check out the ones I have below and the progressions I use for introducing them to students.

Don’t have much equipment?  

I realize that I have a lot of equipment, we are super blessed at my school and I have built on the program each year.  If you don’t have much equipment, don’t sweat it, it takes time to build up a well stocked equipment closet, but you can always figure out ways to make it work, here’s a few ideas.

• Approach your district about buying some equipment that can be shared and travel around to all the schools during each schools gymnastics unit
• Check out these mats – great reviews at a good price
• Don’t have a balance beam?  Just use a simple 2 x 4 for a balance beam, or g oogle “DIY Balance Beam” for some ideas
• Use aerobic steps for jump boxes
• Use poly spots to balance on
• Use yoga mats instead of gymnastics mats
• Think outside the box 🙂

Got some money to spend? 

If you just scored a big grant, found a sponsor, got funding approved by your admin or got some money from a fundraiser and are looking to build up some gymnastics equipment you can check out the links below for some ideas:

• The specific mats I have were at my school when I got there, but they’re the same size as the ones linked above – my kids love vaulting over them and using them as jump boxes or swinging between them on the rope swing.  Super pricey though.
• My school already had jump boxes when I got there, but the ones I have are very similar to the ones linked above – multiple heights for various age and skill levels and easily stackable for storage.  
• NOTE: I don’t have this mat – but man check out these reviews! I paid twice this price for my mats – next time I need some mats, these are the ones I’m ordering.  
• I have the 60″ x 15″, but I’d recommend getting as big of a size as you can afford, I wish mine was bigger.  Forward and backward rolls it’s pretty good, but for log/pencil rolls the kids feet and hands hang off the edge.
• Using a trampoline for your gymnastics or jump rope unit will get your kids pumped up, they love it. I set mine up as a station in front of trapezoid mats and my kids love vaulting over them.
• I have a few sets of these that I hang from the basketball goals or monkey bars in my gym.  A cheap and portable way for kids to work on modified pull-ups or flex arm hang.
• I liked this more than the PVC carts I’ve seen around – it’s way more heavy duty and takes up less space than the other PVC carts (and it’s cheaper).  I recently upgraded from using Old scooters to this cart and am really happy with it.
• These were a huge score that were already at my school when I got here.  They offer flexible seating, fun balancing activities and can be flipped upside down to make a more narrow balance beam as well.  They are super pricey, but they’ll last forever.   Here’s a link to the ones I have.

Thanks for checking out the blog, I hope it was helpful.   If you have some ideas for upgrading a gymnastics unit or have any questions –  leave a comment in the comment section. 

If you’re looking for some resources to take your upgrade your next Gymnastics unit, consider purchasing my Gymnastics Resource Pack – I’ve put ALOT of hard work into it, and I think it would be a super valuable resource for your program.  You can see the details below.

• This 22 page document is straight from my clipboard to yours.  My refined, tried and tested lessons aligned to SHAPE America’s Grade Level Outcomes and the National PE Standards.  It’s detailed and packed with ideas and value to help you plan your next unit.
• Based on once a week PE , but can easily be modified to fit your specific situation
• My first E-book, inspired by the PE Geeks Partner Balancing Series.
• 25 Single Balance Task Cards that can be printed or projected on a screen to give your students a visual to try and replicate when working on balancing.
• All task cards are color coded into 3 different difficulty levels for easy sorting and teaching with differentiation to all skill levels.
• Digital copy of all 25 balances on one page to be printed poster size for your gym wall
• 21 printable gymnastics task card challenges that go along with the different travels we recommend teaching in the Unit Plan
• Tricks Checklist to use for a self assessment or partner assessment
• 24 Jumping Trick task card challenges that go along with the different jumps we recommend teaching in the Unit Plan
• A printable worksheet that guides your students in creating their own routine.
• It’s a great student portfolio piece and also comes with rubric if you want to use it as an assessment
• 14 printable station signs to allow your students the freedom to work on their gymnastics skills independently while you give feedback and assess student skills.

*NOTE: The entire Gymnastics Resource Pack and tons of other resources are available for free download within the membership section. ( Show Me How to Become a Member )

Want a freebie   you can download my 25 single balances poster below for free below., the follow the leader gymnastics pack.

If you have a screen in your teaching space you also might be interested in the Follow the Leader Gymnastics Pack!

I created the follow the leader pack for my gymnastics unit to help provide visuals of the different tricks, travels and movements to my students throughout our unit (it’s a similar idea to the jump rope follow the leader pack ).

This is an AWESOME resource for any teacher that has a screen in their teaching space.  The Follow the Leader pack includes Animated GIFS and remade powerpoint slideshows for each week of the unit.  It also includes some awesome follow the leader balancing challenges and some bonus printable as well.

You can check out a few examples of how I use it below.

This or That

This or that is a fun activity I do with my students during Week 2 when we are going over Balancing and Jumping and Landing.  It’s a way to compare and contrast different balances and discuss what makes different balances harder or easier.

Check out the video below for an example of the activity

Animated GIFs For Station Activities

I also used the animated GIF Summary slides to place at the different stations around the room during our station activities week.

You could use iPads or Chromebooks if they’re available to provide a looping example of what to do at each station.

I really found this helped students understand what to do and made expectations and instructions much more clear at each station.

Check out a walkthrough of the stations and animated GIFS below:

Walkthrough of the Gymnastics Follow the Leader Pack

You can check out the video below for a walkthrough of the whole resource

If you’d like to purchase the Follow the Leader Pack you can click the link below to head over to our Teachers Pay Teachers Page to purchase it (or if you’re a member you can login and download it in the Membership Area).

Check Out the Gymnastics Follow the Leader Pack

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Reader Interactions

January 5, 2024 at 10:02 am

I know nothing about gymnastics, I find your videos incredibly helpful!

January 5, 2024 at 3:24 pm

Me either Cheri when I first started! Now it’s one of my favorite units!

Glad you’re enjoying the resources!

December 22, 2023 at 2:03 pm

Where can I find the gymnastics rules sign

December 26, 2023 at 6:16 am

The Gymnastics Rules poster can be located within the Gymnastics Unit Resources along with lesson plans, stations signs, and much more!

It’s also included (with all of our other resources) within the PE Specialist Membership. Info can be found below:

https://www.thepespecialist.com/info

Hope this helps!

January 23, 2023 at 5:37 am

Love all your tips and hints. Some wonderful activities for all ages

January 23, 2023 at 3:20 pm

You’re welcome Chris!

January 1, 2023 at 4:52 pm

Thank you for the information and help.

January 2, 2023 at 3:37 pm

You’re welcome Julie!

December 2, 2022 at 6:58 am

I’m so appreciative that you mentioned that students get to practice jumping off of equipment, honing their balance on the balance beams, swinging from a rope, and watching themselves perform various movements. My niece has always wanted to try gymnastics so this just convinced me to get her into one. I also feel like gymnastics will allow her to harness her talent and potential so thanks for this.

December 2, 2022 at 3:38 pm

So true Taylor!

We love providing opportunities for students to grow and learn!

August 25, 2022 at 11:26 am

I am a wrestling coach at an intermediate school (grades 5-6) and am wanting to use my mats/wrestling room to develop a tumbling/gymnastics unit. I am in Texas and need to make sure I am within our TEKS. Looking for some help in developing a 2-day per week unit that might last 7-8 weeks. Anything I can beg/borrow/steal in a PDF format etc. so I can write this curriculum and share with my fellow PE teachers would be much appreciated!

August 25, 2022 at 3:37 pm

Thanks for reaching out!

I would encourage you to look at our Gymnastics Resource Pack. It has a detailed unit breakdown of our Gymnastics unit which may help in your prep.

The link to the Gymnastics Resource Pack is below:

https://www.thepespecialist.com/downloads/gymnastics-resource-pack/

February 9, 2022 at 8:58 am

Fabulous resource, definitely feeling braver when it comes to teaching the children to jump off of equipment – I may have been putting it off! Thank you for all of the ideas.

February 9, 2022 at 3:28 pm

You’re welcome! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!

October 12, 2021 at 1:45 am

Very informative and good article. Thank you very much!

October 12, 2021 at 3:41 pm

June 9, 2021 at 10:41 am

i love it i was do it

June 9, 2021 at 3:43 pm

Glad you enjoyed the activities!

March 3, 2021 at 4:21 am

Thank for sharing this article..its amazing.

March 3, 2021 at 4:15 pm

Thanks! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!

March 7, 2020 at 4:01 pm

Once they have mastered balancing, rolling, and tumbling, they can build their endurance by practicing them all in a continuous sequence. Creating sequences offers students the chance to be creative, have fun, and build confidence in their gymnastic skills.

February 4, 2020 at 11:32 am

I noticed you were using fold out mats. What size/width/padding depth do you use?

February 5, 2020 at 6:19 pm

4 x 8, not sure the depth, but there’s a link to ones I recommend here: https://www.thepespecialist.com/amazon/

June 21, 2019 at 4:39 am

Very informative

April 30, 2019 at 4:07 pm

This is a great unit. I was wondering if you could please send me the word document of the stations you have please?

May 2, 2019 at 3:22 pm

Hey Michelle, you can purchase the stations (it’s a PDF) along with the unit in the gymnastics resource pack which is linked at the bottom of the post. If you just want the stand alone stations – check out our Station Teaching Tips Blog Post Here

March 11, 2019 at 9:14 am

That is an amazing content! I am glad that I found your blog to inspire me and help me to feel confident to teach gymnastics to my students! Thank you very much! Regards from Brazil.

March 12, 2019 at 3:03 pm

So pumped to hear that! Hope everything goes well with your Unit!

February 2, 2019 at 8:36 pm

feeling much better about teaching gymnastics after going through your unit and videos! Thanks for improving my instruction and keeping my kids safe.

February 5, 2019 at 7:57 pm

Awesome! Glad to hear that it was helpful

November 26, 2018 at 2:14 am

Hi! Great content! Regards

November 26, 2018 at 7:55 pm

Thanks! Glad it was helpful

October 20, 2018 at 9:17 pm

Hi, I am trying to download the Unit and it is not working. Any advice on what I am doing wrong, or another way to pay and download? Thanks!

October 26, 2018 at 3:40 pm

Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.

As a last resort you can also find it on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist

October 2, 2018 at 5:07 pm

This is my first year teaching P.E. to Kindergartners, and this was very helpful. It’s was nice to see it laid out in an organized independent structure. Thank you for putting this all together- videos and all.

October 5, 2018 at 8:11 am

Teaching Kinder is definitely an art form 🙂 – glad it was helpful!

September 3, 2018 at 1:00 pm

Hey!!! I really need some help I’m from Bolivia, and I just start working as a P.E. teacher in an international school. That means that all the teaching is like in US. I really need help for planning my units and I’m having trouble about how mny units should I have for the entire year, the lenght, and the formative and summative assessment. Thanks

September 6, 2018 at 8:41 pm

Hey Ana – check out our post on How to Plan a Year of PE in 15 Minute… do a search on the site or google it

May 17, 2018 at 7:06 am

I am training to become a primary teacher and gymnastics is a strand that is part of the P.E. curriculum. I am wondering if you sell DVDs or anything visual which describes discusses whats involved as I’m unfamiliar with gymnastics.

Kind Regards

May 17, 2018 at 7:08 am

I’m training in Ireland but hoping to find a resource that will really help me to become much more familiar with this area.

Thanks again,

May 18, 2018 at 2:55 pm

Hey Judith – I only sell the Unit Plan + Station Signs, it does come with the Balances E-book which has illustrations of all the balances, however if you’re looking for video demonstrations of all the movements, check out the App called “Head Over Heels Gymnastics”

May 18, 2018 at 3:29 pm

That’s brilliant. Thanks for your help Ben!

March 23, 2018 at 9:02 am

For the trampoline and vault.. Do you allow the kids to run and then jump off the trampoline or do you have start on the trampoline jumping and trying to gain height before they perform the move? Thanks!

March 26, 2018 at 3:12 pm

We allow them to run and jump, but put a cone for the start of the line and it’s only about 5 feet from the trampoline

March 23, 2018 at 6:59 am

thanks this helped alot

March 2, 2018 at 8:59 am

Ben, when you have students do Level 1 and 2 off of the trampoline on to the vaulting mat do you have them put their hands on the vaulting mat and then jump up OR do you have them just try to jump off the trampoline and land on the mat?

March 2, 2018 at 3:02 pm

Usually they use their hands, but if they can do it without that’s fine too, I don’t require them to use hands, it just makes it easier

February 15, 2018 at 9:37 am

We’re doing our gymnastics unit and using mats to vault over. How do you keep mats from sliding? I put my knee on the mats and have my body behind the mat as a brace but am still constantly adjusting it. Any ideas? Thanks!

February 16, 2018 at 3:23 pm

We lay our landing mats against the wall and put the vaulting mats right next to it, you can see the way we set it up in the youtube video in the post above. It moves a little, but definitely helps a lot

February 17, 2018 at 12:33 pm

Thanks so much! We’re stacking floor mats to vault over and those are sliding. Do you remember where you got your vaulting mats? Something to save up for. I’ll be moving our landing mat against the wall. Thanks!

February 19, 2018 at 3:38 pm

They were already here when I started – they’re pretty pricey. They are called “Trapezoid Mats”, here’s an example

I would shop around and try to find a deal from a PE Equipment provider with a discount coupon or something

February 12, 2018 at 2:12 pm

Would this work for k-4? Except for the specific things you listed with a specific grade level next to it?

February 13, 2018 at 10:26 am

I teach K-5, so yes

January 16, 2018 at 2:26 pm

Thanks for all the useful resources! You rock PE Specialist!

January 9, 2018 at 12:51 pm

Awesome information! Thank you very much!!!

January 10, 2018 at 3:49 pm

Sure thing – glad it was helpful!

January 5, 2018 at 10:08 pm

Very useful for teachers I highly appreciate your endeavor

January 8, 2018 at 6:00 pm

Thanks Jayantha! Glad it was helpful

November 20, 2017 at 6:47 pm

You need to be a part of a contest for one of the most useful blogs on the net. I am going to highly recommend this site!

November 22, 2017 at 2:12 pm

September 21, 2017 at 4:26 pm

nice video! 2 questions….How many students at a time do you have/ class and was the rope hanging from the ceiling or basketball goal?

September 23, 2017 at 8:56 pm

We have either single class with about 25-30 kids or double class with around 50-55.

The rope is hanging from the ceiling.

August 29, 2017 at 5:50 pm

This is a great rainy day activity as well. Especially around Olympic season. My 3 year old was very into the floor routines. Next time summer Olympics roll around shell be ready to create her own routine.

May 16, 2017 at 12:08 pm

This is great stuff. Love getting new ideas

February 27, 2017 at 11:58 am

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCKmov9NRdA&app=desktop

I’ve started my new and improved gymnastic unit using some of your helpful advice and videos. Kids are loving it!!! Thanks for helping to add some flare to my old gymnastics unit! Thought you might like the above video to get your kids excited about Parkour which I have included in our gymnastics unit this year!

February 27, 2017 at 5:46 pm

Good Stuff Jon! Thanks for sharing – I love Parkour, especially seeing kids get into it early.

February 16, 2017 at 9:31 am

Hello – Can you go into more details on your jumping and landing or jumping tricks you do with your students?

February 20, 2017 at 4:06 pm

We just focus on doing different jump shape and sticking the landing. It keeps it interesting and challenging to try different tricks like straddles, tucks or any other body shapes in the air once you master the basic jump and land with control.

February 12, 2017 at 11:20 pm

Hello Ben, Where can I go to download the Gymnastics Resource pack if you are a member? Lindy

February 13, 2017 at 4:44 pm

Hey Lindy, paying members can login to the membership section here to download all the resources I create inside the members section: http://www.thepespecialist.com/login

January 21, 2018 at 5:26 am

Hi Ben, I have just paid for the gymnastics pack. The money has come out of my account and everything and I am unable to download. The file hasn’t shown up in emails or anywhere ?

HELP haha Thanks

January 22, 2018 at 7:46 pm

Hey Courtney – we sent you an email with a download link, check your SPAM folder. We just sent a 2nd email, let us know if you didn’t get it. We’ll leave this comment up until the issue is resolve – thanks!

February 12, 2017 at 3:55 am

I was just wondering for pe teachers without any gymnastics experience, could anyone recommend good gymnastics books for purchase as well?

January 24, 2017 at 8:22 am

Great resource, I love the sheet for organizing your routine. My friend Kelly has a great site as well that offers ideas and videos from St. FX university if you are looking for more ideas http://people.stfx.ca/kthompso/Home.html

Thanks for sharing, I am excited to try some of your activities with my kiddos!

January 24, 2017 at 7:51 pm

Whoa – what an awesome resource. Thanks for sharing!

January 17, 2017 at 9:15 pm

Where did you order the noodle holders for the rock wall from?

January 17, 2017 at 9:18 pm

Mine came with my rock wall, which was from Everlast – but you can Google “Rock Wall Hold Noodle” and find other retailers to order from pretty easily

January 5, 2017 at 4:48 pm

Excellent information! I am a gymnastics and circus coach and am starting my own mobile business to teach gymnastics to preschools and elementary schools. Your comment on explaining why gymnastics is important is so valuable. There will always be those kids (boys) who feel uncool trying the sport. At the gym I work at our most popular program is “Extreme Kids” which is basically gymnastics, parkour, trampoline, and general physical challenges. Boys love it, and really, parkour and gymnastics are so similar, especially at the beginning stages, that the class isn’t much different from a gymnastics class. Less focus on straight legs and pointed toes perhaps, but still lots of focus on technique. When we have birthday parties at the gym, we do a Mission Impossible obstacle course that is always a hit. In order to win over the boys, I emphasize that there are parkour and gymnastic type challenges.

I also agree that kids love skill mastery and challenge. I like to incorporate lots of “how high can you…”, “how long can you”, “how many can you”, etc. Ideas include consecutive long jumps, running up the wall (ideally with an incline or even yoga/ sting mat, but not crucial… also chalk or something to hold with tape on the back so the kids can mark their spot), leaping over pool noodles (good for teaching split leaps too), sprints, number of tuck jumps, etc.

I love how you include balance tricks, not just because of their inherent value, but also because it gives the weaker kids something they can theoretically do well at. Making their own routine has the same benefit, not to mention the chance to be creative (I compare it to the benefits of art over crafts). I love how you have set up your program!

If equipment is limited, there are tons of gymnastics skills and drills can be taught with benches, walls, duct tape, chairs, pool noodles, hoola hoops, and tables.

If you teach older kids, you’ll probably have a gymnast or two to take advantage of. I would find out who is in competitive gymnastics in the school as he or she will be able to show drills and skills with correct technique and have a wide knowledge base to share with you.

January 7, 2017 at 2:57 pm

Sounds like a fun business, JoAnna! Thanks for comment and the tips, I will try a few of those out.

October 24, 2016 at 3:25 pm

your article is well organised

October 13, 2016 at 9:17 pm

Amazing resource for teachers. Thanks for sharing!

April 27, 2016 at 2:27 pm

This looks great. I am definitely interested in the package. Just curious to what grades this is specialized to? I teach all the way from K-12 at my school so I know it will hit some of those grades, I was just wondering what ones?

April 27, 2016 at 3:36 pm

Thanks Stephen – The resource pack is focused on Elementary level, since that’s what I teach – but you can use the same ideas, concepts and activities for older students with a little modification.

I can’t give you specifics since I’ve never taught Gymnastics to middle/high school kids, it would just be me guessing about what’s appropriate and engaging for students.

January 19, 2016 at 9:35 pm

Wow! I’m getting ready to do a gymnastics unit as well! This was right on time Mr. PEspecialist! Thank you for sharing! You rock!

January 21, 2016 at 8:44 pm

Awesome! Glad it was helpful, thanks for checking it out!

May 15, 2018 at 2:01 pm

Can you tell me what mat configuration should be? Thin mats on top of thicker softer mats?

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Gymnastic module: shapes, travelling, jumping, sequences

Subject: Physical education

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Unit of work

Last updated

30 April 2020

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Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria: More than Mt. Elbrus!

If you’ve traveled to the North Caucasus before, there is a good chance you’ve already been to Kabardino-Balkaria, and you didn’t even know it!  Kabardino-Balkaria lies in the center of the North Caucasus region, is home to Mt. Elbrus, but more than that is a treasure chest of travel possibilities.  Here is our guide to traveling through the republic of Kabardino-Balkaria, or 9 travel tips to this beautiful land:

1. How do I get there?

Kabardino-Balkaria hosts a large number of both foreign and Russian travelers every year, and has an improving infrastructure able to handle the incoming masses.  Let’s start with the obvious.  You might be a mountain climber or skier coming to enjoy the slopes of Mt. Elbrus.  That means you’re likely arriving on an airplane to Russia.  Here are your travel options:

A. Plane – We advise you fly into the Mineralni Vodi (MRV) airport in the Stavropol Region, which is about 45 minutes from the border of Kabardino-Balkaria.  MRV is the largest airport in the North Caucasus, and has daily direct flights to and from all 3 airpots in Moscow (SVO, DME, and VKO), direct flights from St. Petersburg, and several international flight routes as well, including from Istanbul, Dubai, Greece, Tel Aviv, and Bishkek.  The MRV airport has a growing infrastructure and is the most obvious choice to fly into if going to Elbrus.  From MRV, it’s a 2 hr. drive to Nalchik, and a 3.5 hr. drive to Mt. Elbrus.

That being said, the capital of Kabardino-Balkaria, Nalchik (NAL), also has a small regional airport with a daily flight to/from Moscow as well as weekly flights to Istanbul. As is to be expected in most smaller, regional airports around Russia, the service standard at a small airport like this will be minimal.  As a result, we recommend you flying in and out of MRV if able.  It’s a 2 hr. drive to Elbrus from Nalchik.  You can also fly into other regional airports which are 2 hrs. from Nalchik, such as OGZ in North Ossetia (Vladikavkaz) or IGT in Ingushetia (Magas).

B.  Car/Public Transport – If you have a car, are using a taxi, or are hitch-hiking your way to Kabardino-Balkaria, the region is accessible by a variety of roads and vehicles.  A major Russian federal highway E50 runs through Pyatigorsk into Kabardino-Balkaria, and can take you towards Mt. Elbrus, Nalchik, and deeper into the North Caucasus.  There are daily mini-buses, or “marshrutkas”, that travel to Nalchik from Pyatigorsk, Vladikavkaz, Grozny, and Magas, if you’re coming from a neighboring republic.  From the main Nalchik bus station, there is a marshrutka that goes to Terskol (i.e. Mt. Elbrus) daily around 12:30 pm; for that matter,  marshrutkas run daily into every valley of this beautiful republic.  For the seasoned international traveler, you can drive from the country of Georgia up the famed “Georgian Military Highway” through the heart of the Caucasus Mountains, cross the border into Russia at the “Verkhni Lars” border stop, and be in Nalchik in about 2.5 hours as well. 

Anyone traveling on their own should download the “Yandex” taxi app, which is Russia’s version of Uber, and has a very user-friendly app with affordable prices.  In smaller villages/towns where Yandex’s service doesn’t reach, just ask a local and they’ll direct you to a friend or relative who can taxi you where you need to go!

C.  Train – Kabardino-Balkaria is also very accessible by the famous cross-country Russian train system if that’s your preferred method of travel.  Almost all trains to the North Caucasus pass through Mineralni Vodi in the Stavropol region to the north, so make sure wherever you are coming from, Mineralni Vodi is one of the stops.  Despite Nalchik having a train station, the city is about 45 minutes from the main railway route that runs diagonal through the North Caucasus, and as a result it’s a bit convoluted to get a train directly to Nalchik.  That being said, the town Prokhladni is a regular stop on trains going to/coming from Baku, Makhachkala, Grozny, Nazran, and Vladikavkaz, so you can always hop off there and find your way by public transport or taxi.

2.  What are the best places to stay?

This list could get exhaustive, fast. 🙂  Let’s first look at an overview of the republic’s geography, followed by hotel recommendations:

A. Nalchik – This is the capital city of Kabardino-Balkaria, with a population of around 250,000.  Nalchik is growing and new, modern hotels are being built regularly.  Here are some of our recommendations:

-Modern and comfortable:  Azimut , Butik Otel

-Budget with less frills:  Hotel Rossia , Korona

You could comfortably spend a week in Nalchik, while doing day trips into Kabardino-Balkaria’s beautiful mountain valleys.

B.  Baksan Valley – This is the most traveled road in Kabardino-Balkaria, the road to Mt. Elbrus.  If you have questions about its safety because of travel warnings, please see our detailed blog here of the drive to erase any doubts or fears.  Needless to say, because of the draw of Mt. Elbrus, there are a huge variety of lodging options at the end of this valley, from 4-star to mid-range to budget to hostel.  Here are just a few we’ll recommend from our experience:

-Modern and comfortable 4-star-ish:  Azau Star , Kristall 139

-Budget with less frills 3-star-ish:   Laguna , Povorot

If you’re a mountain climber with your sites set on the summit of Elbrus, you’ll have to spend at least 3-4 nights at Elbrus’s famous base camp at 13,000 feet.  The “barrel huts” are not easy to book directly with, and we highly recommend you do your climb (and hence, have your bookings handled) through a trusted climbing company.  Here are two shelters at base camp we recommend:

-Modern and comfortable:  Leaprus

-Budget with less frills:  Heart of Elbrus Lodge

If you’re interested in climbing Mt. Elbrus and staying in these barrel huts, click  here  to see our climbing itineraries, pricing, and group dates.

C.  Chegem Valley – Chegem Valley is the adjacent valley to Elbrus’s Baksan Valley, and is famous for its beautiful waterfalls as well as being Russia’s top paragliding location.  The “ Paradrome ” has modest accommodations for those wanting to get to know this beautiful valley for a longer period of time.

D.  Upper Balkaria, or Cherek Valley – This is another beautiful mountain gorge not too far from Nalchik.  There is an authentic lodging complex in Upper Balkaria called Tau-El, with amazing local food for meals as well.

E.  Border Zone lodging – Several of Kabardino-Balkaria’s mountain gorges run into the border zone with neighboring country Georgia, i.e. an area that foreigners cannot enter without a special permit from the local government (often taking 2 months to receive).  There is a famous mountaineering lodge in Bezengi Valley, where several generations of Russian mountain climbers have honed their craft in the Caucasus Mountains.  Perpendicular to Baksan Valley (about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus) is Adyr-Suu Valley, where there is a lodge for back-country skiers to stay, while trying their hands (and feet!) on the untouched snow of that valley.  Both these valleys require border permits for foreigners, but are possible to access for the more adventurous!

3.  Top cities to visit?

Most locals would agree that Nalchik is the main city of significance to visit in Kabardino-Balkaria, but let’s be honest, even more would say, “Just go to the mountains!”  Tirnauz is the capital of the Elbrus district, and is an interesting town to spend some time in, with its unique location in the mountains and place in Soviet history as a once-booming mining town.  The main thing to consider in visiting Nalchik and other cities in the lowlands, is the chance to experience Kabardian culture and food.  Whereas the deeper you go into the valleys, the more you’ll encounter Balkar culture and food.

4.  Best local foods to try?

There are 3 types of food that come to mind, when spending time in Kabardino-Balkaria:

A. Khychiny – This is one of the staple national dishes of the Balkar people, and what you’ll inevitably be served if guests of local Balkars.  It’s a thin buttery flat bread, sometimes cooked with fillings of cottage cheese, fresh greens, or potatoes.  It is often slathered in butter, but wow is that some tasty greasy goodness! 🙂

B.  Shashlik – Shashlik is a MUST for any visit anywhere in the North Caucasus!  Most people would agree that it’s the national food of the entire region.  Shashlik is meat shish kabobs; while pork and turkey can be found in some parts of the Caucasus, lamb or chicken are the preferred shashlik meats of choice in Kabardino-Balkaria. 

C.  Soup – No matter where you are in Russia, you’re sure to find a local soup that people love.  Kabardino-Balkaria is no different.  Especially in the winter months in the mountain valleys, there’s nothing better than to come inside from the cold weather and warm your body up to a bowl of hearty Caucasus soup.  Whether Georgian kharcho or local Balkar lakhman, make sure to try your hand at one of these soups with a side of fresh baked bread/lavash!

5.  Top Hole-In-The-Wall restaurants:

Of course, for a republic of this size, we’re bound to leave at least a few great local joints off our list, but here are a few to get you started. ***Note:  Restaurants in the North Caucasus are much better known for their food than their service, so prepare for tasty food, but manage your expectations about service:

-Elbrus – Kogutai Restaurant at Mt. Cheget – While this isn’t a hole-in-the-wall restaurant per se, it’s one of many to choose from in the Cheget tourist village, and we have found them to provide consistently good food and service.  Kogutai has a nice interior, and maybe most important, an English-language menu with good pictures. 🙂  There also is a nice outdoor patio with fantastic views of the surrounding mountains.

-Nalchik #1 – Tameris Restaurant – This is a cafe with a relaxed atmosphere in the capital Nalchik.  Local tour company Elbrus Elevation has taken foreign groups there on multiple occasions and always had good experiences.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 3. 

-Nalchik #2 – Cafe-Bar Oasis – You have to know where this restaurant is to find it, but once inside, you won’t regret it!  There is a unique cafeteria-style ordering process, that includes several dishes being cooked on the spot once ordered.  You can sample local Kabardian dishes here.  The seating area is very modern and a pleasant atmosphere to have a meal in.  Address is ul. Kuliyeva 2. 

-Upper Balkaria – Tau-El Restaurant – This is the restaurant part of the Tau-El Tourist Complex in Upper Balkaria.  Whether spending the night or just passing through, make sure to stop here for a meal!

6.  Must-See Sites

This republic is so chock full of “must-see” destinations, it’s impossible to narrow the list down.  Here are just a few suggestions to get you started: (***Mt. Elbrus is a no-brainer and we’re assuming that’s on your list)

A. El-Tyubu and Paradrome – This is an amazing area towards the end of Chegem Valley.  Many tourists visit the famous Chegem Waterfalls and don’t drive any further down this gorge, which really is a shame.  El-Tyubu is a picturesque Balkar village with several historical sites to see, including some ancient mausoleums.  The real gem of the area, though, is the Paradrome , which is Russia’s premier paragliding destination.  The combination of the scenic surrounding mountains and constant winds produces almost daily conditions to sail through the beautiful Caucasus sky.  Highly recommend!

B.  Upper Balkaria – Also known as Cherek Valley, the entire drive to the actual village of Upper Balkaria is one big destination.  First, you can spend time at the 3 consecutive “ Blue Lakes ”, one of which is one of Russia’s deepest lakes with an underground spring.  Then, the drive itself becomes an adventure, as you pass by steep rock walls with a huge drop-off on the other side.  If you’re able to walk this part of the road, that is a bonus!  Once you’ve made your way through the valley walls, the region opens up into a beautiful panoramic view.  Many years ago, there were multiple villages in this region, but they’ve since been condensed into one main village.  You can see some of the ancient Balkar towers that their ancestors used to live in as well.

C.  Djili-Suu – Although hard to pronounce and not easy to get to, Djili-Suu is one of those places in the North Caucasus that people rave about that you “have to” visit.  It’s actually on the North side of Mt. Elbrus, and more accessible from the Mineral Waters region (2 hrs. from Kislovodsk).  The base camp for Elbrus climbers summiting the mountain from the North side is at Djili-Suu.  This area is famous in Russia for its numerous natural healing springs, as well as unique climate conditions that make for beneficial, long holidays for seeking a respite from their daily grind.  There are wide swaths of land available for camping, with probably the most unrivaled views of Mt. Elbrus in the North Caucasus.  Make sure to check this out!

7.  Off-the-beaten path destinations

A. King’s Waterfalls (Tsarskie), or Gedmisht – Probably the valley in Kabardino-Balkaria with the least amount of hype is the Malka Valley, which is the northernmost valley and mainly runs through the Kabardian lowlands.  At the point where the villages end, though (Khabas), the asphalt turns into dirt and the hills start to rise, culminating with the incredible King’s Waterfalls, or as one friend put it, Avatar Waterfalls.  These stunning waterfalls are best visited in the early summer, when everything is lush green and the water flow is strong, with many streams of water flowing down the earth’s surface.  The different colors are incredible and it’s hard to look away.  Once you’ve enjoyed the waterfalls, enjoy a meal of shashlik at one of the nearby lunch huts.  Having an off-road vehicle is ideal to visit these falls, but worth the time and effort!

B.  One-seater chair lift at Elbrus – As the infrastructure at Mt. Elbrus has modernized, some of the more “authentic” experiences have gone to the way-side.  This is one experience still available, though!  From the 2nd (11,000 ft.) to 3rd level (12,500 ft.) of Mt. Elbrus (whether skiing, going to base camp, or just touring), there is a single-seater chair lift for 100 rubles each way (less than $2).  This is an amazing experience if you have the time.  It’s 8-10 minutes each way, and a surreal experience of the majestic Caucasus mountain range surrounding you, skiers silently passing you by underneath, and in general enjoying the silent expanse of nature all around.  The chair lifts are from the Soviet times and so it feels like something from a different era.  For mountain climbers, the newer group cable car gives better access to most of base camp, but several huts are pretty close to this chair lift, so it still may be a good option for you.

C.  Abandoned Mines above Tirnauz – Tirnauz is about 1 hr. from Mt. Elbrus, and a town everyone drives through to and from the mountain.  Although today it looks old and half-abandoned, it was a booming mining town in the 20th century.  About a 45-minute drive above the city with an off-road vehicle, you can see the remains of the mining operations.  Learning about this history combined with the breath-taking views of the Baksan Valley and even into Georgia, you’ll wonder why more people aren’t visiting this place.  This is a great spot to see eagles soaring in the sky, as well as admire the Soviet city plan of Tirnauz from above.

8.  What do I need border zone passes to visit?

In Russia, any area within 5-10 km of a neighboring country, without a clearly delineated border (i.e. in the mountains) is considered a special border zone, and patrolled by Russian border guards.  This area IS accessible to all Russian citizens with their passports, but is NOT legally accessible to foreign citizens UNLESS you have a special permit from the FSB (Federal Security Bureau).  These permits are accessible, either through a tour operator or local friend, but require you to submit your application 45-60 days in advance.

Areas in Kabardino-Balkaria that are worth a visit if you have a border zone pass:

A.  Bezengi Wall – This is at the end of the Bezengi Valley, and holds a place of lore among Russian mountain climbers.  Many mountain guides go through training in this valley.  Five of the Caucasus Mountain’ range’s highest seven peaks are a part of the Bezengi Wall, so you can imagine the draw it has for climbers. There are great areas for trekking and camping in this area. 

B.  Adyr-Suu Gorge – This remote valley runs perpendicular to Baksan Valley and is about 25 minutes from the base of Mt. Elbrus.  It’s marked at the entrance by a relic of the past, a car lift from Soviet days that auto-cranks your car (and you) about 50 meters up the mountain.  After 45-60 minutes of driving on gravel road, the gorge opens up into a flat valley with a beautiful view of the surrounding mountains.  The Adyr-Suu Alpine Lodge is at the end of this valley and where back-country skiers base out of during the acclimatization phase of their Mt. Elbrus ski tours.  This is truly a place where you can experience untouched powder!

C.  Mt. Cheget (Elbrus) – Cheget is a neighboring mountain to Mt. Elbrus and where many climbers will acclimatize, both at its base and while doing some hikes.  It also is famous in Russia for its free-ride terrain for more experienced skiers.  Standard access to the chair lifts and mountain are available to all (i.e. mountain climbers don’t need to worry about accidentally crossing into the zone), but anyone wanting to summit the peak of Cheget OR visit the beautiful Cheget Lake needs a border permit. 

Foreigners violating the border zone areas is considered a serious offense in Russia; make sure to do your due diligence if wanting to visit one of these areas!  We highly recommend using a local tour operator and always traveling with a local person if visiting one of these areas.

9.  Any cultural “do’s” or “don’t’s” to be aware of

Kabardino-Balkaria is a fascinating republic with a combination of traditional and modern society.  The more you interact with local people, the more you’ll see a mixture of Muslim faith, post-Soviet mentality, and ancient local traditions all wrapped together.   

Kabardians mainly live in the lowlands (Nalchik, Baksan, and lowland villages), while Balkars primarily live in the mountain valleys (Elbrus, Chegem, Upper Balkaria, etc.).  There is a large population of Russians in the region as well.  Foreigners visit every area of the region regularly, and so local people are used to and will welcome your presence.

Come with an open mind to learn about these peoples, their traditions, and their land.  You won’t regret your trip to Kabardino-Balkaria!

***Want to learn more?  Here are several self-published resources from the podcast “ CaucasTalk ” related to Kabardino-Balkaria:

– Travel Tips to Kabardino-Balkaria (audio version of this blog)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 1)

– History of Mt. Elbrus (Part 2)

– Interview with Local Elbrus guide

– Climbing Elbrus: Interview with American guide

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 1)

– Who are the Kabardians? (Part 2)

– Skiing in the North Caucasus (Elbrus and more)

READY TO EXPERIENCE KABARDINO-BALKARIA FOR YOURSELF?

Where to find us.

• +1 704-810-4296
• [email protected]
• 1578 Pine Creek Rd., Gastonia, NC 28056

Travel Information

• We no longer offer travel services to Russia. See Caucasus Quest Tours for new destinations
• Is it Safe to Travel to the Caucasus in 2024?
• Climbing Kazbek & Kilimanjaro: Comparing two 5,000+ meter peaks
• How to Train to climb Mt. Kazbek in Georgia

Our Elbrus Climbing Tours

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ALL Travel Services to Russia and Mt. Elbrus have been indefinitely suspended as of Feb. 2022.

Explore our new tour branch Caucasus Quest to climb Mt. Kazbek (5,054 meters) in Georgia or for immersive cultural touring experiences in Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan.

Poor Economic Outlook and Lack of Security Undermine Kabardino-Balkaria’s Governor