Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Before this lesson, ensure you have a variety of soft, child-friendly balls (e.g., foam, rubber, beach balls) available and a safe, open space like a playground or a cleared classroom area. The central idea is for pupils to understand and practise the basic actions of throwing and catching a ball. Emphasize gentle throws and safe catching. Successful learning will be observed when pupils can attempt to throw a ball towards a partner and try to catch a gently thrown ball using both hands.
Class: Pre-School Level 3
Term: Third Term
Week: 3
Age: 4 years
Duration: 30 minutes
Subject: Physical and Health Education
Curriculum Theme: Physical and Health Education
Previous Lesson: Not separately stated in the scheme.
Topic: Throwing and Catching of Balls
Subject Matter: Throwing and Catching of Balls
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
Cognitive Domain
- Identify a ball.
- Explain in simple terms what throwing and catching mean.
Affective Domain
- Show enthusiasm for playing with balls.
- Take turns when throwing and catching with a partner.
Psychomotor Domain
- Demonstrate the basic action of throwing a ball gently.
- Attempt to catch a gently thrown ball using both hands.
Social Domain
- Participate actively in group throwing and catching activities.
- Share balls with classmates.
Reference Materials
- NAPPS National Unified Teaching Scheme for Pre-School Level 3
- Early Childhood Care and Education resources
Instructional Materials
- Soft balls (foam, rubber, beach balls) of various sizes
- Picture cards showing children throwing and catching
- Open playground or cleared classroom space
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson is important for 4-year-olds as it develops fundamental gross motor skills, hand-eye coordination, and spatial awareness. Learning to throw and catch balls also promotes physical fitness, social interaction, and confidence in physical activities, which are crucial for healthy development.Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils can identify different types of toys and have engaged in simple free play involving movement like running and jumping. They may have seen older children or adults throw and catch balls.Lesson Content/Board Summary
Throwing and Catching of Balls
Throwing and catching are fun ways to play with a ball!
What is Throwing?
Throwing means pushing a ball away from your body with your hand or arm. You can throw a ball up, down, or to a friend.
- How to Throw (Underhand):
- Hold the ball with one hand.
- Swing your arm back gently.
- Swing your arm forward and let go of the ball towards your friend.
What is Catching?
Catching means stopping a ball with your hands before it touches the ground. You need to watch the ball carefully!
- How to Catch:
- Watch the ball coming towards you.
- Put both hands out in front of you, ready to meet the ball.
- Close your hands around the ball gently, like a soft basket.
Movement Rhyme: Throw and Catch
Tune: Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
Ball, ball, round and bright,
Throw it up with all your might.
Watch it fly, so high, so free,
Catch it now, one, two, three!
Throw it to your friend so near,
Catch it with a happy cheer!
Actions:
- “Ball, ball, round and bright” – Make a circle with hands.
- “Throw it up with all your might” – Pretend to throw a ball upwards.
- “Watch it fly, so high, so free” – Follow imaginary ball with eyes.
- “Catch it now, one, two, three!” – Bring hands together as if catching.
- “Throw it to your friend so near” – Pretend to throw to a side.
- “Catch it with a happy cheer!” – Clap hands together.
Watch and Practise
Key Words
- Ball – A round object used for playing.
- Throw – To send something through the air with your hand.
- Catch – To grab something that is moving through the air.
- Hands – The parts of your body used for holding and catching.
💡 Teacher Guide for Using This Board Summary
How to teach the content: Explain “throwing” and “catching” using simple language and demonstrate each action clearly. Use real balls to show how to hold and release for throwing, and how to position hands for catching. Emphasize watching the ball. Start with underhand throws as they are easier for this age group.
What to show or demonstrate: Show different sizes of soft balls. Demonstrate a gentle underhand throw. Demonstrate how to hold hands open like a “basket” to catch a ball, then close them gently. Emphasize soft hands for catching.
How to use the rhyme/song: Introduce the “Throw and Catch” rhyme. Sing it slowly with pupils, demonstrating the actions as you go. Repeat it several times to help pupils remember the words and movements. Encourage active participation.
How to use the video: Introduce the video as a way to see how other children throw and catch. Play the video, pausing to highlight key actions like how the children hold the ball, swing their arm, and position their hands for catching. After watching, encourage pupils to try the actions they saw in the video.
What to watch for: Observe if pupils are attempting to use both hands for catching, if they are watching the ball, and if they are throwing gently towards a partner rather than wildly. Correct any unsafe throwing behaviours immediately.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques
- Play-based Learning
- Demonstration
- Guided Practice
- Songs and Rhymes
- Imitation
- Practical Activity
- Question and Answer
Instructional Procedures
Step 1: Introduction
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Engagement/Recall
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher greets the pupils and shows them a ball. “Good morning, children! Look what I have here! What is this?” The teacher asks pupils what they can do with a ball.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils respond to greetings, identify the ball, and share ideas like “kick,” “roll,” or “play.”
Learning Point: Pupils identify a ball and recall familiar ways to play with it.
Step 2: Explanation of Throwing
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “throwing” using simple words and demonstrates how to throw a soft ball gently (underhand) towards a wall or a target. “Throwing means pushing the ball away from you. Watch me!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and watch the teacher’s demonstration. They may try to imitate the arm movement in the air.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of throwing and observe the basic action.
Step 3: Guided Practice – Throwing
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Correction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher distributes soft balls to pupils (or pairs) and guides them to practise throwing gently. “Now you try! Hold your ball, swing your arm, and throw it gently.” The teacher reminds them not to throw at faces.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to throw their balls gently, following the teacher’s instructions. They might throw to themselves, a partner, or a designated area.
Learning Point: Pupils practise the physical skill of throwing a ball.
Step 4: Explanation of Catching
Time: 4 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation/Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains “catching” and demonstrates how to catch a gently thrown ball using both hands, making a “basket” with their hands. “Catching means stopping the ball with your hands. Watch my hands carefully!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and observe the teacher’s demonstration of catching. They may try to position their hands like a basket.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the concept of catching and observe the basic action.
Step 5: Guided Practice – Catching and Rhyme Reinforcement
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Guided Practice/Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher gently throws balls to individual pupils or pairs, guiding them to try and catch. “Remember to watch the ball and use both hands!” The teacher leads the “Throw and Catch” rhyme with actions to reinforce the lesson.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils attempt to catch gently thrown balls. They sing the rhyme and perform the actions with the teacher.
Learning Point: Pupils practise catching skills and reinforce learning through song and movement.
Step 6: Paired Throwing and Catching Activity
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Peer Interaction/Application
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher pairs pupils up and supervises them as they gently throw and catch balls among themselves. “Now, stand a little bit apart and try to throw the ball gently to your friend, and your friend will try to catch it!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils work in pairs, taking turns to throw and catch the ball, practising the skills learned.
Learning Point: Pupils apply throwing and catching skills in a social, interactive context.
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.
- What is this? (Teacher shows a ball)
- Show me how you throw a ball gently.
- Show me how you get ready to catch a ball.
- Can you throw the ball to me? (Teacher stands a short distance away)
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: Consolidation/Closure
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher praises the pupils for their efforts and encourages them to keep practising throwing and catching. “You all did a great job throwing and catching today! Keep practising to become even better!”
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with enthusiasm, feeling proud of their achievements.
Learning Point: Pupils feel encouraged and motivated to continue developing their skills.
Lesson Keywords
- Ball – A round object used for playing.
- Throw – To send something through the air with your hand.
- Catch – To grab something that is moving through the air.
- Playground – An outdoor area for children to play.
Differentiation
- Support: For pupils struggling with throwing, use larger, softer balls (e.g., beach balls) and encourage rolling the ball before attempting to throw. For catching, stand very close and throw the ball gently, allowing them to trap it against their body first. Provide hand-over-hand guidance for ball release and hand positioning.
- Extension: For pupils who quickly grasp the skill, encourage them to throw to a partner from a slightly greater distance, or introduce simple target practice (e.g., throwing into a large hoop or box). Challenge them to catch a ball after one bounce.
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