Throwing and Catching a Ball as Manipulative Movement for Pre-School Level 3

Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: First Term
Week: 9
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Previous Lesson: Simple movement activities like running, jumping, and hopping.
Topic: MANIPULATIVE MOVEMENT (THROWING AND CATCHING A BALL)
Subject Matter: Throwing and catching a ball as manipulative movement.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain

• Identify a ball.
• State simple safety rules for playing with a ball.

Affective Domain

• Show enthusiasm for playing with balls.
• Cooperate with teammates during ball activities.

Psychomotor Domain

• Demonstrate how to throw a ball gently.
• Attempt to catch a gently thrown ball.

Social Domain

• Take turns when playing with a ball in a group.
• Participate in team-based ball activities.

Reference Materials

• NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
• Relevant Early Childhood Care and Education resources

Instructional Materials

• Various soft balls (different sizes if available)
• An open field or playground
• First Aid Box
• Skipping rope (for marking boundaries if needed)
• Picture cards showing children throwing and catching
• Video display (if available)

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it helps develop fundamental gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Learning to throw and catch a ball also encourages physical activity, teamwork, and social interaction, which are crucial for a child’s holistic development. It builds confidence and provides a foundation for more complex sports skills later on.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils can already perform basic movements like walking, running, and jumping. They have also seen or played with balls before.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

MANIPULATIVE MOVEMENT (THROWING AND CATCHING A BALL)

Manipulative movement means using our hands, feet, or other body parts to control objects. Today, we will learn about throwing and catching a ball.

Throwing a Ball

• What is throwing? It is pushing a ball away from your body with your hand or hands.
• How to throw:
  1. Hold the ball with one or two hands.
  2. Look at where you want the ball to go (your target).
  3. Swing your arm(s) forward and let go of the ball.
• Safety when throwing: Throw gently, and always look around to make sure no one is in the way.

Catching a Ball

• What is catching? It is stopping a ball that is coming towards you, usually with your hands.
• How to catch:
  1. Watch the ball as it comes to you.
  2. Put your hands out to meet the ball.
  3. Cup your hands to hold the ball gently.
• Safety when catching: Try to catch soft balls, and stand in a safe space.

Key Words

• Throw – to send a ball through the air with your hand.
• Catch – to stop and hold a ball that is moving.
• Ball – a round object used for playing games.
• Play – to do fun activities.
• Team – a group of people working or playing together.

Movement Rhyme: Throw and Catch

Tune: “Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star”

Throw the ball up high, high, high,
Watch it fly across the sky.
Catch it gently, don’t let go,
Throw and catch, watch it flow.
Throw the ball to a friend, you see,
Playing together, happy we!

Actions:

• “Throw the ball up high, high, high” – Pretend to throw a ball upwards.
• “Watch it fly across the sky” – Look up and follow the imaginary ball.
• “Catch it gently, don’t let go” – Bring hands together as if catching a ball.
• “Throw and catch, watch it flow” – Repeat throwing and catching motions.
• “Throw the ball to a friend, you see” – Pretend to throw a ball to a friend.
• “Playing together, happy we!” – Clap hands and smile.

Watch and Practise

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F5286J-sHJU

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques

• Play-based Learning
• Demonstration
• Guided Practice
• Songs and Rhymes
• Imitation
• Manipulation of Objects
• Teamwork and Collaboration

Instructional Procedures

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Engagement/Warm-up

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and leads a short warm-up activity like stretching arms and legs. The teacher asks pupils if they have ever played with a ball and what they did with it.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils greet the teacher, participate in warm-up stretches, and share their experiences with balls.

Learning Point: Pupils are physically and mentally prepared for the lesson and connect to prior experiences.

Step 2: Presentation (Throwing)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what “throwing” means simply. Using a soft ball, the teacher demonstrates how to hold the ball, look at a target, and gently throw it a short distance. The teacher reminds pupils to throw gently and safely.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively, observe the teacher’s demonstration, and identify the ball.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of throwing and observe the correct technique.

Step 3: Presentation (Catching)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Demonstration/Explanation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains what “catching” means. The teacher then demonstrates how to position hands, watch the ball, and gently catch a ball thrown by another adult or a very gentle bounce. The teacher emphasizes watching the ball.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and observe the teacher’s demonstration of catching. They practise putting their hands out to catch.

Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of catching and observe the correct hand position.

Step 4: Guided Practice (Throwing & Catching)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Supervision

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher divides pupils into small groups or pairs. The teacher gives each group/pair a soft ball and guides them to practise throwing and catching gently to each other. The teacher moves around, offering individual help and reminding them of safety.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in groups/pairs, taking turns to gently throw and catch the ball. They try to apply the techniques demonstrated.

Learning Point: Pupils gain initial practical experience in throwing and catching in a controlled environment.

Step 5: Reinforcement (Movement Rhyme and Video)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Reinforcement/Integration

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher leads the pupils in singing the “Throw and Catch” rhyme with actions. If a video display is available, the teacher plays the verified video on throwing and catching, asking pupils to observe the movements.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils sing the rhyme and perform the actions. They watch the video and observe the children demonstrating throwing and catching.

Learning Point: Concepts are reinforced through song and visual examples, encouraging active participation.

Step 6: Application (Team Play)

Time: 5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Application/Observation

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher organises a simple “Pass the Ball” game where pupils sit in a circle or line and pass a ball to each other. The teacher observes how pupils throw and catch, encouraging teamwork and turn-taking. The teacher ensures safety and fair play.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in the “Pass the Ball” game, practising throwing and catching to their teammates and taking turns.

Learning Point: Pupils apply throwing and catching skills in a team setting, fostering social habits.

Step 7: Evaluation/Review

Time: 4–5 minutes

Teaching Skill: Questioning/Assessment

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher checks pupils’ understanding through short questions and practical tasks.

1. “Show me how you hold a ball to throw.”
2. “Show me how you put your hands to catch a ball.”
3. The teacher gently throws a ball to each pupil and observes their attempt to catch.
4. The teacher asks, “What do we say if we want to play with the ball?” (e.g., “Please pass the ball.”)

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond orally and demonstrate the required skill where appropriate.

Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson.

Step 8: Conclusion

Time: 1 minute

Teaching Skill: Summarization

Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their efforts and participation. The teacher reminds them to always play safely with balls and to practise throwing and catching.

Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen to the teacher and respond with “Thank you, teacher.”

Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and remember the key message of safe play.

Lesson Keywords

• Throw – to send a ball through the air with your hand.
• Catch – to stop and hold a ball that is moving.
• Ball – a round object used for playing games.
• Play – to do fun activities.
• Team – a group of people working or playing together.

Differentiation

• Support: For pupils struggling with throwing, provide larger, softer balls that are easier to grip. For catching, throw the ball from a very short distance or roll it along the ground first. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for correct hand positioning.
• Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the skills, challenge them to throw to a specific, slightly further target (e.g., a hoop on the ground). Encourage them to try catching a ball thrown with a little more speed, or to throw and catch with a partner while moving slowly.