Skills Circuit with a Peer Checklist

A four-station circuit (jump, roll, climb, and bear walk) where, in pairs, one student performs and the other observes with a checklist of three key points per station. Students practice fundamental movement skills and learn their technique through peer assessment.

How to play

1. Four stations: two-foot jumps from hoop to hoop with soft landings; forward roll on a mat; wall bar climb to 3 feet and back down; bear crawl along a gym bench. Pairs, three pairs per station.
2. Explanation (4 min): each station has three key points on the checklist with a "yes / not yet" box. Jump example: arms swing to drive, knees bend on landing, feet together.
3. Rotation 1 (8 min): 2 minutes per station. The performer takes 3 tries, and the observer checks the boxes without talking during the try.
4. Feedback (1 min after each station): the observer first says something done well, then one thing to improve.
5. Rotation 2 (8 min): switch roles and repeat the circuit.
6. Wrap-up (4 min): each student looks at their checklist and picks the point they want to improve; the teacher collects the checklists.

Rules

• The observer speaks after the try, never during.
• Safety: one performer per station at a time and mats under every landing.
• Use "not yet" instead of "wrong."
• Leave the checklist on the station cone so nobody holds it while performing.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: expert observer at all four stations and, on their turn, adapted stations (hoop toss, trunk turns, pulls).
• Autism or shyness: a checklist with pictures and ready-made sentences for giving feedback.
• Lower fitness: two tries per station instead of three.

Learning goals

• Perform fundamental movement skills focusing on their key points.
• Observe and assess a partner's performance with clear criteria.
• Give and receive feedback respectfully.

Equipment for a class of 25

• observation checklists: 25
• pencils: 13
• mats: 8
• hoops: 6
• gym bench: 2
• wall bars: 3

Teacher tip

Model one observation with the whole class before starting, or the checklists get filled in at random. The checklists also give you a quick assessment of the whole class.

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