What’s up Phys Ed Fam!
I’m super excited to share this post with you, it’s been in the works for a while.
Below you’ll find an awesome lesson example for teaching your younger students an introduction to striking with implements using balloons.
I normally teach this lesson with K-2nd students, but you can always try it with older kids as well.
One of my student teachers was kind enough to film this entire lesson for me a while ago and I finally had a chance to edit it and upload it for you to check out.
Check out the lesson below:
- If you’re not familiar with “The WOW Challenge” check out this post on self assessment“
In case you don’t have time to watch the video, let’s break it down below:
Equipment Needed:
- Balloons – 1 per student and extras since it might pop (I used to get my 5th graders to help me blow them up, but then I got an awesome electric balloon pump and now it takes about 5 minutes to blow up 25 balloons, it’s only $20 and there’s a link in our Amazon Store if you want to check it out). Video below showing how cool it is. If you have any students who are allergic to latex you can have them wear latex free gloves or get some foil balloons like these so they can still participate
Balloons Pro Tip: To avoid any tears, whining and hurt feelings, just use one color of balloon
View this post on Instagram
- 4 buckets with different implements – you could use pretty much anything, but a few ideas below:
- Lollipop paddles
- Foam Frisbee
- Noodles
- Playground Balls
- If you trust your students to be safe you could use harder objects:
- Ping Pong Paddles / Badminton Rackets / Tennis Rackets / Bowling pins
- Music (my music playlists here)
- Boundaries for the Station Areas (Here’s a few tips for teaching with Station Activities)
Introduction:
- What is a strike?
- What is an implement?
- What sports/activities can you play if you learn to strike an object with control using an implement?
Station Activity Challenges
- Everyone will get 1 balloon and go to a station
- Note: I normally allow my kids to split themselves up quickly, we work on this at the beginning of the year, but if you are struggling with making groups, check out an app called Teamshake
- At your station you will attempt to keep the balloon up in the air by hitting it with the implement at that station as many times as you can, keep track of your own score.
- If you touch the balloon with your body or if it touches the ground start over
- WOW Challenge Suggestions:
- K – 25 in a row
- 1st – 35 in a row
- 2nd – 50 in a row
- When the music stops, put your implement up and hold your balloon by the tail and point to the next station
- Goal Setting Tip
- At each station set a goal for yourself and attempt to beat your own personal record for how many hits you have in a row
I normally give students 3- 5 minutes before we rotate to the next station. After the students have completed all their stations, bring them together for a discussion. This is a good time to ask questions and get students to think about what made the different implements harder or easier to control the balloon with.
Discussion:
- Which implement was easiest and which was hardest and why do you think so?
Bonus Challenge:
For the bonus challenge I add a polyspot to make it more challenging for my students.
- Rules:
- Each student gets to have their own dot.
- One foot can move around while the other has to be glued to the spot.
- The goal is to hit the balloon with an implement 25 times without leaving the spot.
- If the foot comes off the dot, they have to start counting again.
- When the music stops the students get to rotate to a different implement.
- Partner Work
- If a student makes it to 25 while on a spot, I allow them to partner up and try a partner challenge.
- The students have to face each other with a line between them.
- The goal is to hit the balloon back and forth over the line with a partner.
- If there is an odd number, or a student that doesn’t have a partner, they could form a trio or a triangle.
I end my class by asking my students to practice with a ball at home since that will our challenge in the next class. On their way out, I remind them about the daily self-assessment. (Here is the link for that).
I hope you found the video helpful and have fun teaching this great lesson.
Download the Free Lesson Plan
You can download the free lesson plan that I use to teach this lesson below:
Hope you enjoy it!
Another Striking With Implements Lesson
If you want to check out another great lesson with some of my favorite Striking with Implements Station Activities Click This Link
More Striking with Paddles Resources
If you’re looking for some more awesome striking with paddles resources, check out our Unit Plan Pack or our Follow the Leader Pack on TPT at the links below (or if you’re a member you can login to the membership and download both of these resources inside the membership resources area):
Have an awesome day!
Sean Lofton says
I am a teacher candidate developing a short unit plan on striking with an implement for kindergarten through 5th grade. My plan is to develop one lesson plan for kindergarten through 2nd grade and a more advanced lesson plan for 3rd grade through 5th grade. What differentiations do you suggest I include for any of the grade levels?
Marcus says
Hey Sean,
Thanks for reaching out!
Some suggestions for differentiations are included in the post. You could have students at a stations or working on the skill independently and they could be practicing different Skill Activity Challenges
You can also add in the differentiation of equipment for students to practice. Check out the link below for ideas:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/strikingstations/
You could advance the skill challenges based on student grade level.
Hope this helps!
Elizabeth Maher says
I use balloons with my Adapted/Unified PE classes is there a secret that I do not no about after 40 years of teaching with the balloons deflating it drives me nuts. Yes I have the balloon pump. If this happens to you I feel better and will just continue to inflate new balloons. Thanks great videos.
Marcus says
Awesome! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Bloggeradd says
This post was extremely helpful!
Marcus says
Thank you!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
April Lynn Shoppa says
HI,
What is your suggestion to do with grades 3-5 while I’m teaching grades K-2 Striking with implements?
Marcus says
Hey April,
With 3rd – 5th we are striking with implements as well. Check out the link below to our TPT striking with Paddles Unit Plan:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist/Search:paddles
It’s also located inside our membership…information about our membership can be found at the link below:
https://thepespecialist.com/info
Hope this helps!
Dan Frazier says
Any striking games?
Marcus says
Hey Dan!
This lesson post is designed for younger students. We have a resources for striking with paddles that have more games and activities designed for older students! Link is below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Striking-with-Paddles-AKA-Tennis-Unit-Plan-Resource-Pack-for-PE-Class-5144730
Hope this helps!
GB says
Fascinating lesson, I’ll have to try it sometime.
Marcus says
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Tammy Brogan says
I LOVE all your lessons. Thank you so much. I was wondering if you know where I can get a digital copy of “Call it Macaroni”.
Thanks again,
Tammy
Marcus says
Hey Tammy!
The only place where we could find copies was at the link below:
http://www.wagonwheelrecords.net/individualization-in-movement-music-cd.html
Hopefully they have some copies!
Chinthakindi sudha rani says
Such a wonderful lesson plan sir ??it’s more useful to me thank u so much
Marcus Nellems says
You’re welcome! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!