Ideas on how to use starter quizzes in your PE lessons
Introduction
Questioning is an essential part of effective pedagogy because it helps to engage pupils in the learning process. When teachers ask questions, it prompts pupils to think deeply about the topic at hand and encourages them to reflect on their own learning experiences.
Questioning can also help pupils make connections between different concepts and develop a deeper understanding of the content. In developing critical thinking skills, pupils are encouraged to analyse information, evaluate evidence, and draw conclusions based on their own reasoning. This promotes independent thinking and can lead to more meaningful and long lasting learning outcomes.
Starter quizzes can be used alongside the warm-up to assess pupils’ prior knowledge and understanding. To ensure sustained movement for the majority of curriculum time, quizzes in physical education can be done practically.
Delivery
Starter quizzes take the form of multiple choice questions. Questions only have 1 correct answer and 2 distractors to help manage cognitive load. They could be delivered in the following ways.
Explain what pupils should do in relation to each letter (A, B or C) before reading the questions aloud.
1. All activities - place a mix of blue, red and white cones in the playing area:
- A - move to a blue cone
- B - move to a red cone
- C - move to a white cone
2. All activities - using lines on the court/pitch of the playing area:
- A - move to area A
- B - move to area B
- C - move to area C
3. All activities - in a space:
- A - make an A shape with hands above head
- B - rapidly move arms up and down like a bumble bee
- C - do an impression of someone surfing on the sea
4. All activities - in a space:
- A - do star jumps
- B - do high knees
- C - do tuck jump
5. Netball - passing in pairs around the court (being aware of others):
- A - chest passes
- B - shoulder passes
- C - bounce passes
6. Hockey - dribbling around an area with lots of gates set up as cones:
- A - straight dribble
- B - Indian dribble
- C - dribble through the gates
7. Gymnastics - jogging around the space, stop and ask the question:
- A - balance on one body part
- B - balance on two body parts
- C - balance on three body parts
8. Swimming - treading water (confidently)*:
- A - tread water normally
- B - wave one hand
- C - put one hand on your head
* with non-swimmers adapt so that pupils are standing on the floor
9. Football
- A - dribble the ball
- B - toe taps
- C - pass and switch your ball with someone else who thinks C
10. Basketball
- A - bounce the ball with your right hand
- B - bounce the ball with your left hand
- C - bounce the ball and catch it with both hands