Catching Techniques

Unit: Manos en Acción: Object Control

Lesson 4 of 10

Year Level: Prep Duration: 50 minutes Class Size: 20 students Subject: Health and Physical Education (HPE) Context: Spanish bilingual primary school, Victoria

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Learning Intentions

WALT (We Are Learning To):

• Develop hand-eye coordination by practising catching skills with a partner.
• Build confidence using scarves and soft balls to catch and control objects safely.
• Work cooperatively, showing teamwork and inclusion.

Success Criteria (I Can):

• I can watch the object carefully and use my hands to catch it.
• I can catch softly with scarves and soft balls, adapting my hands to the object.
• I can work safely and kindly with my partner to practise catching.
• I can describe how catching objects helps me in games and play.

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Victorian Curriculum Alignment

Content Descriptions:

• AC9HPFM02: Experiment with different ways of moving their body safely and manipulating objects and space (Foundation Year).
• AC9HP2M05: Apply strategies to work collaboratively when participating in physical activities (Years 1 and 2).

Achievement Standard:

• Prep students perform fundamental movement skills involving controlling objects with equipment and different parts of the body and practise working cooperatively with others during physical activities.

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Equipment

• Lightweight scarves (1 per pair) - to develop slow-motion tracking and catching skills.
• Soft foam balls (1 per pair) - to practise catching with different object sizes and weights.
• Cones to mark safe catching zones/pairs area.
• Optional: Whistle for transitions and attention.

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Lesson Structure

1. Retrieval Warm-Up (5–8 minutes)

Activity: “Sigue la música” (Follow the music)

• Students move freely around the space to Spanish music from previous lessons, practising moving in different directions, speeds, and levels (linked to prior locomotor skills).
• When music stops, students pair up quickly in their cones’ zones. This warms their bodies and mentally recalls movement skills relevant to object control.
• Introduce “mirar” (watch/look) as a key Spanish word for the session, encouraging attention to the object during catching.

2. Goals and Introduction (3–5 minutes)

• State the WALT and success criteria clearly.
• Use simple language and gestures to demonstrate “catching with two hands” and “watching the object.”
• Briefly explain safety: “Trabajo seguro, espacio seguro” (safe work, safe space).
• Engage students: “Why is it important to watch the scarf or ball when catching?”

3. Learning – I Do, We Do, You Do (Total 10–15 minutes)

I Do (Explicit teaching, 3–4 minutes):

• Demonstrate catching a scarf slowly with two hands, showing how to "softly close" hands.
• Then demonstrate catching a soft ball tossed lightly. Emphasise “míralo” (watch it).
• Speak aloud movements with simple cues: “manos listas” (hands ready), “mirar,” “atrapar” (catch).

We Do (Guided practice, 4–5 minutes):

• In pairs, students pass scarves to each other under teacher guidance — focusing on tracking and gentle catches.
• Teacher models and coaches, asking guiding questions like, “¿Dónde están tus manos?” (Where are your hands?) and “¿Qué ves?” (What do you see?).
• Next, repeat with soft balls, encouraging gradual increase in speed while maintaining control.

You Do (Independent practice, 3–5 minutes):

• Students practise catching scarves and balls with their partner independently but in teacher-monitored zones.
• Encourage positive feedback: “Good watching!” or “Try to catch softly.”
• For advanced learners, challenge with a slightly higher toss or catching with one hand.

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4. Consolidation (15–20 minutes)

Game: “Atrapa la pelota/Paño” (Catch the ball/scarf)

• Organise small groups (4 pairs in a zone). The teacher explains the game: partners toss scarves or balls to each other, aiming to catch without dropping.
• Introduce cooperative challenges: “How many catches in a row can you do?”
• Differentiate via distance or object:
• Support: Closer tosses, larger scarves.
• Extension: Toss above head height or catch with one hand.
• Teacher roams, giving feedback, encouraging teamwork: “Buen equipo” (good team).
• Emphasise fair play, listening, and helping partners.

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5. Show Me What You Know (5 minutes)

• Students demonstrate their catching skill in front of a peer or small group.
• Use partner feedback question prompts:
• “¿Estaba mirando el objeto?” (Was your partner watching the object?)
• “¿Usó dos manos para atrapar?” (Did they use two hands to catch?)
• Teacher reinforces success criteria, summarises key learning points in English and Spanish.
• Quick reflection: “¿Qué aprendimos hoy?” (What did we learn today?)

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Differentiation Strategies

Support:

• Use larger scarves and soft balls.
• Allow extra time for small tosses at close distances.
• Provide hand-over-hand guidance initially.

Extension:

• Increase toss speed or distance.
• Practice catching with one hand or while moving.
• Encourage students to count successful catches in a row.

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Behaviour and Safety Expectations

• Stay within marked zones for safe space.
• Respect personal space and equipment.
• Use equipment gently and safely.
• Listen to the teacher and partners.
• Cooperate and encourage others (“¡Muy bien!” / Well done).

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Key Spanish Vocabulary

English	Spanish	Pronunciation (approx.)
Catch	Atrapar	ah-trah-PAR
Hands	Manos	MAH-nos
Watch / Look	Mirar	mee-RAR
Soft / Gently	Suave	SWAH-veh
Partner	Compañero/a	kohm-pah-NYEH-ro / -ra
Safe	Seguro	seh-GOO-ro
Ball	Pelota	peh-LOH-tah
Scarf	Paño	PAH-nyo
Ready	Listo/a	LEES-to / -ta
Good team	Buen equipo	bwehn eh-KEE-poh

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This lesson leverages active participation, cooperative learning, and movement-based fun to embed early object control skills in Prep students, following Victorian Curriculum expectations. It also integrates Spanish vocabulary naturally aligned with the bilingual learning context. The lesson structure ensures students stay engaged while receiving appropriate support and challenge.

If applied consistently across the unit, these lessons will build solid foundational skills, teamwork, and confidence with catching for young learners.

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