Lesson Plan 1 - Juggling

I. Juggling Skill

a. Class Name: Grades 4 - 6

b. Skill Level: Control

c. Length of Time: 45 minutes

d. Number of Meetings: 1^st class meeting

e. Major Focus: Hand-eye coordination & accuracy, peer teaching

f. Sub-focus: self toss (back hand motion), catching, cooperation

II. Safety:

a. Activity: spatial awareness, especially when with partners, students must stay under control at all times, students must stop activity and sit down properly when he/she hears the “freeze” cue

b. Organizational: students must enter the gymnasium quietly and walk to an open space on the floor, students must practice “active listening” when the instructor is speaking, students must wait quietly on a designated line before exiting the gymnasium, “no interference” rule

III. Equipment:

a. 30 - 60 scarves (3 different colors)

IV. Objectives:

a. Psychomotor: the student will demonstrate proper juggling skill by:

1. developing control of fine motor skills

2. proper bio-mechanics regarding the backhanded throwing motion

3. catching the top of the scarf on its way down

4. putting forth maximum effort and participation

Cues: ghost, knuckles up, toss - top, eye on target

b. Cognitive: the student will demonstrate an understanding of juggling by:

1. following specific cues and safety guidelines

2. differentiating between the three juggling techniques (columns, cascade, three scarves)

3. displaying a general understanding of eye-hand coordination and accuracy

4. teaching proper juggling techniques to his/her partner

Cues: hands are ready, remember your pattern

c. Affective: The student will demonstrate proper peer teaching by:

1. taking turns and demonstrating the patterns to each other

2. watching his/her partner and giving advice (specific information)

3. encouraging partner to try his/her best

Cues: help each other, good advice

V. Instant Activity

Fitness Warm ups

1. Jog in place (1 minute)

2. Jumping Jacks (20)

3. Push Ups (10)

4. Curl Ups (10)

5. Sit and Reach (10 seconds)

6. Sole of shoe to inside of the knee, alternate legs (10 seconds)

7. Butterfly (10 seconds)

8. Triceps Extensions over the head, alternate arms (10 seconds)

9. Triceps Extensions front of the body, alternate arms (10 seconds)

10. Shoulder & Neck stretch (10 seconds)

VI. Organization:

a. Initiation

Attendance

Instant Activity

Unit Introduction

Focus of Activity

Sub-focus of Activity

Demonstration of Activity

Safety Concerns

b. Content:

Proper holding, tossing and catching technique and practice

1. Ghost (knuckles up)

2. Backhand toss

3. Catch the top of the scarf (palms down)

4. Students do this individually in their own space

Columns

1. Students find partner

2. Each student is given two scarves

3. Partners find self space

4. One student performs the column pattern

5. The other student watches and gives advice and encouragement

6. The partners continuously take turns performing the skill and peer teaching

7. Column pattern – 2 scarves, right and left hands, parallel to each other, straight up and straight down movements, ghost (pinch center of scarf between thumb, index, and middle finger), back hand throwing motion (knuckles up and release), throw high over head and in front of the body, catch the top of the scarf on the way down, both hands at the same time or separately, eye-hand coordination & accuracy

8. Extensors – stand on one foot and perform the pattern, walk in the

straight, curved, or zigzag pathway while performing the pattern, perform the pattern together (see if all four scarves can be used at one time)

9. Modifiers – perform pattern with one scarf, have partner drop scarf

from high point while other partner practices catching it, have partner practice back handed tossing motion while other partner catches the scarf

10. Time – 10 minutes

Cascade

1. Students are already in self space with partners

2. One student performs the Cascade pattern

3. The other student gives advice and encouragement

4. The partners continuously take turns performing the skill and peer teaching

5. Cascade pattern – 2 scarves, both hands, toss scarf in right hand up and across the body to the left side, toss scarf in left hand up and across the body to the right side, catch the scarf from the right hand with the left hand, catch the scarf from the right hand with the left hand

6. Extensors – use 3 scarves, partners can both try to catch the scarves

7. Modifiers – practice with only 1 scarf

8. Time – 10 minutes

3 Scarf Pattern

1. Students are already in self space with partners

2. One student attempts to perform the juggling skill using 3 scarves

3. The student begins with 2 scarves in one hand and 1 scarf in the other hand

4. When holding 2 scarves in one hand the student may wish to pinch the top of one scarf with the thumb and forefinger and pinch the top of the other scarf with the middle and third finger

5. Toss the scarf that is between the thumb and forefinger up across the body to the opposite shoulder

6. Toss the scarf in the other hand across the body to the other opposite shoulder

7. Catch the first scarf with the free hand that tossed the second scarf

8. Do this by using a downward motion (catch the top of the scarf)

9. Immediately after the first scarf is caught, toss the third scarf up and across the body to the opposite shoulder

10. Immediately toss the first scarf back up across the body to the opposite shoulder

11. Repeat the procedure

12. The other student gives advice and encouragement

13. The partners continuously take turns performing the skill and peer teaching

c. Floor Plan

The students will have partners and each pair will find their own self-space anywhere on the gymnasium floor.

d. Closure

What was the focus of our activity today?

Why was it important to be aware of the space and the other students around us?

How did we throw the scarf into the air?

Did we catch the scarf on the bottom or the top?

Did your partner give you good advice and encouragement?

Can someone tell me what he/she said to their partner or what their partner said to them that helped him/her?