Fun and Focused Passing

Overview

This 30-minute Physical Education (PE) lesson is designed for a Year 1 class with five students in Australia. The focus is on developing passing skills for basketball while incorporating elements from the Australian Health and Physical Education (HPE) Curriculum (Foundation to Year 2). The specific curriculum area emphasised is from the "Movement and Physical Activity" strand, addressing the outcome:

ACPMP025 - "Perform fundamental movement skills in a variety of movement sequences and situations."

The lesson aligns with age-specific expectations by making activities engaging, simple, and interactive, while also promoting teamwork and hand-eye coordination.

Overall Learning Goals:

• Develop fundamental basketball passing skills (chest pass and bounce pass).
• Enhance motor skills through controlled ball handling.
• Foster collaboration, communication, and enjoyment of physical activity.

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Lesson Structure

Warm-Up (5 minutes): The Animal Train Game

1. Objective: Transition into the activity by getting students to warm up their bodies and hands through imaginative movement.

2. Instructions:

   • Students pretend to be their favourite animals and form a "train" by moving as a group around the playing area.
   • The teacher gives instructions like “Hop like kangaroos!” or “Stomp like elephants!” to encourage coordination and fun movement.
   • Every 30-40 seconds, signal students to “freeze” and clap their hands twice to wake up their "basketball hands."

3. Purpose: This game engages students, promotes teamwork, and warms up key muscle groups for passing activities.

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Skill Introduction (5 minutes): Passing Basics

1. Objective: Teach students the chest pass and bounce pass through simple demonstrations.

2. Instructions:

   • Stand in a circle with the students. Demonstrate the two passes:
     • Chest Pass: Hold the ball at chest height, step forward with one foot, and push the ball toward a partner with both hands.
     • Bounce Pass: Same movement as the chest pass, but aim to bounce the ball once on the ground before reaching your partner.
   • Use verbal prompts like:
     • "Imagine the ball is a superhero—use both hands to send it flying to your partner!"
     • “Bounce the ball like a kangaroo jumping just once!”

3. Purpose: Visual demonstration builds understanding of the correct technique using relatable imagery for Year 1 learners.

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Main Activity (15 minutes): Passing Circuit Challenge

Part 1 – Circle Passing (5 minutes)

1. Instructions:

   • Students sit in a wide circle.
   • They practise passing the ball to the person directly across from them using the chest and bounce passes.
   • After each pass, they shout an encouraging message like “Good catch!” or “Great pass!”
   • Rotate positions every 1-2 minutes.

2. Purpose: Builds confidence in passing with consistent partner feedback. Simple movements allow students to focus on technique and teamwork.

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Part 2 – Team Passing Relay (10 minutes)

1. Instructions:

   • Arrange students in two groups of 2-3 people.
   • Use cones or markers to create a short line for each team (4-5 metres between the start and the finish).
   • Students take turns passing the ball down the line using the chest or bounce pass.
     • Example challenge: “Pass the ball five times to reach the cone—don’t let your superhero ball fall asleep!”
   • At the end, they pass it back in reverse order to the start.
   • Clapping or cheering the other team is encouraged while waiting.
   • For an extra challenge: Use instructions like “Only bounce the ball this round!” or “Do one chest pass and one bounce pass before the finish!”

2. Purpose: Students practise pass accuracy under simulated "team" pressure while improving reaction time and technique in fun, cooperative play.

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Cool Down (5 minutes): The Balloon Stretch

1. Instructions:

   • Ask students to imagine they are "balloons."
   • As the teacher slowly counts to 10, they stretch tall with their arms reaching for the sky.
   • Once reaching full "inflation," they exhale deeply and bend their bodies to "deflate" the balloon.
   • Repeat 2-3 times, with the final pose being a slow squat, holding hands (if culturally appropriate) to return to focus.

2. Purpose: Calms the body and reinforces mindfulness in ending the fun.

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Assessment of Learning:

• Observation: Demonstrate confidence and accuracy in chest and bounce passes.
• Feedback: Check if students are showing teamwork behaviours (e.g., encouraging each other, sharing turns).
• Reflection Question (post-session): "What was your favourite kind of pass and why?"

This immediate feedback captures their understanding and reinforces positive feelings toward PE.

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Resources and Equipment:

• 2-3 size-appropriate basketballs (small, lightweight).
• Cones or markers for team relay lines.
• Open space (indoor or outdoor).
• Positive reinforcement tools (e.g., clapping, stickers).

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Adjustments and Extensions:

• For higher ability students: Introduce a "moving pass" challenge where students must jog on the spot before passing.
• For learners needing support: Decrease passing distances or allow seated passing to build confidence.

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Make this a week to remember on the PE calendar—fun, skills, and lots of smiles!