Track and Field Unit

Subject:  Tennis Ball Throw:  Grades:  1-3

Objective (Standard):

 Students will develop fundamental movement skills that are associated with the tennis ball throw.

Enduring Understanding: 

Students will participate in physical activity to achieve and maintain a healthy level of physical fitness.

Essential Questions: 

What fundamental movement skills would you associate with the tennis ball throw?

How will participation in physical activity allow you to maintain a healthy level of fitness?

In what ways will we develop responsible and respectful personal and social behavior skills?

Day One:  Intro to proper techniques of the overhand throw. 

Activity: 

1.      Students will find stretching spots and warm-up.

2.      Instructor will demonstrate the culminating activity of throwing the tennis ball. 

3.      Students will be assigned partners and sent to areas of the gym or field.  The partners will alternate throwing the tennis balls.  The instructor will remind students of proper technique through the use of cue words to insure the performance of proper throwing techniques.

4.      Role Assessment:  Students will evaluate their partner and score their attempts.  Students will attempt 10 tosses at a target. 

5.      Students will then reverse roles and repeat the throwing task.

6.      While the students are completing the formal peer assessment the instructor will use a check off observation sheet that tells whether each student “consistently”, “sometimes”, and “hardly ever” uses each of the cue words given by the instructor or partner.

7.      When all cooperative groups have completed the assessment and have returned to their spots, then the instructor will review the main points to throwing a tennis ball.

Cue Words:

1.      Step with opposite foot.

2.      Arm back and Up

3.      Side to Target

4.      Arm Back and Up

5.   Palm Down

5.      Follow Through

Day Two:  Review and Practice of the Tennis Ball Throw for Field Day