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A Game for All (Sports) Seasons

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Subjects Mathematics Arithmetic, Measurement, Statistics Physical Education Games, Team Sports Science Physical Science, Physics

Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8

Brief Description

Objectives

• follow directions.
• practice a variety of athletic skills.
• display good sportsmanship throughout the activity.

Keywords

Materials Needed

• two goal nets (or carpet tiles, desk chairs, or other means of blocking out a goal area on the field or in the gym)
• appropriate sports equipment depending on the sport being emphasized (see Game Notes for tips for adapting the game to different sports)
• sticks, clothespins, or paper slips with sequential numbers from 1 to __ (the number of students on each team) marked on them

Lesson Plan

• Arrange students into two teams. (If the class has an odd number of students, you might appoint one student scorekeeper.)
• Have each team count off in sequence from 1 to __ (the number of players on each team). Students must remember their numbers.
• Set up a goal net at either end of the field or gym. If you do not have access to goal nets, use two carpet squares or chairs to mark the goal area. Provide required sports equipment (see Game Notes) in the center of the playing area. Have students sit along the sidelines near the center of the field/gym.
• Number clothespins, sticks, or slips of paper from 1 to __ (the number of players on each team). Put those numbers into a container. Draw a number from the container and call out that number.
• When the number is called out, the students on each team who have that number go to the center of the playing area and perform the game skill. (See Game Notes below for ideas.)
• The first student to successfully perform the skill for her or his team earns 2 points for the team.
• If you wish, provide the other student whose number was called one more opportunity to perform the skill. If successful, the student earns 1 point for her/his team.
• As students play, emphasize being a good sport. Students should encourage one another -- even if things are not going well -- and congratulate one another and the members of the opposing team appropriately.

Game Notes:
Following are a handful of ideas about how this game might be adapted to different sports:

• If it's baseball season, set two plastic balls and bats at the center of the playing area. Use tape or chalk to mark an X and an O on the floor. Instruct students on one team to go to the X when their number is called and students on the other team to go to the O. (Set the two marks far enough apart so that students are not in danger of hitting each other as they swing their bats.) The players take swings until one of them hits the ball into the goal area.
• If it's basketball season, provide a basketball and two nets. Mark a foul line an appropriate distance from the net. When their number is called, students go to their respective foul lines and shoot the basketball until one of them gets a basket.
• If it's hockey season, provide hockey sticks (wrapped in cloth if you are playing this game with young students) and a ball (in place of a puck). Let students shoot at the goal until one scores.
• If it's soccer season, provide a soccer ball and let students take shots at the goal from a set distance away.

Assessment

None

Lesson Plan Source

Education World

Submitted By

Gary Hopkins

National Standards

PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND HEALTH: Physical Education

• GRADES K - 12
  NPH.K-12.3 Physical Activity
  NPH.K-12.5 Responsible Behavior
  NPH.K-12.6 Respect for Others