Striking with Racquets and Paddles
K Swinging motion using hand and scarf 1 - 9 Basic paddle skills (stations)
K Swinging motion using balloons or balls 2 Partner Balloon challenges using striking skills with soft paddle
K Rolling ball to wall and striking the rebound ball 2 - 9 Basic paddle skills (wall work)
1 Balancing and manipulating a fluffy ball with a soft paddle 2 - 9 Paddle skills (forehand-wall work)
1 Bouncing a ball to self with a soft paddle, self challenges 2 - 9 Paddle skills (backhand-wall work)
1 Small Group, round robin striking practice 2 - 9 Paddle Skills (hitting cooperatively and continuously with a partner)
1 - 9 Basic paddle skills (Ups and Downs) 3 - 9 Paddle Four Square

PPEP-PALS Lesson Sharing
Teacher & School: Suzy Charles, Jefferson Elementary
Activity Grade Level
Partner Balloon challenges using striking skills with soft paddle 2
Equipment Needs One paddle per student, one balloon per pair of students
Facility/Playground Needs Outdoor or Indoor facility
Lesson Objective (Psychomotor and/or Cognitive):
  1. Students will be able to demonstrate appropriate foot placement and arm motion when striking a balloon with a soft paddle.
  2. Students will show correct hand placement when holding the soft paddle.
  3. Students will move safely and under control while striking the balloon to a partner.
  4. Students will work as a team to maximize the number of bounces between each other.
Teaching Hints: Teachers should check for proper foot and arm motion during the activity and comment on specific students that are participating as instructed and are using teamwork for success.
Description:
  1. Demonstrate the striking motion (shoulder back, body facing forward, hand behind the ear, step with the opposite foot as you swing forward and follow through toward the target with the hand). Also demonstrate the side, underhand, and back hand motions. You may want to choose a student to demonstrate these skills.
  2. Students will partner up (Use a pairing technique that does not exclude anyone) and find a spot in the playing area, safe distance from other teams.
  3. One student per team will retrieve two paddles and a balloon from the bags or bins.
  4. Allow time for teams to strike the balloon back and forth. Encourage students to use the different swing (overhead, underhand, back swing and side swing). Remind students that they should be in control of the balloon at all time. If they have to run out of their safe zone, they are not in control of the balloon. Students should be 4-6 feet away from each other.
  5. When all teams are in control. Begin the challenge. On a "go" signal have the teams count how many times they can strike the balloon back and forth without loosing control or having the balloon touch the ground. Repeat the challenge to see if they can beat their previous score.
  6. Regroup and allow students the chance to demonstrate the correct striking techniques with their classmates.
Alternatives/Modifications A more advanced lesson would be to perform this activity with a small group of students.
Reference

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