Gorri Skills Development

Curriculum Area: Health and Physical Education (HPE)

Level: Year 3

Lesson Duration: 45 Minutes

Class Size: 21 Students

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Learning Objectives

• Develop movement skills: Students will work on fundamental motor skills, focusing on throwing and accuracy.
• Understand cultural significance: Introduce the indigenous game Gorri, explaining its origins and importance in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures.
• Encourage team play and respect: Foster teamwork and respect during physical activities.

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Equipment

• Soft balls (21, preferably tennis balls)
• Targets (circular hoops or cones)
• Coloured markers (for distinguishing between teams)
• Whiteboard and markers (for explaining rules & instructions)

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Introduction (5 Minutes)

1. Greeting and Attendance (2 Minutes)

   • Welcome students and mark the roll.
   • Briefly explain the importance of warming up.

2. Warm-Up Activity (3 Minutes)

   • Jogging on the spot followed by dynamic stretches (leg swings, arm circles).

Explanation of Gorri (5 Minutes)

1. Cultural Context Introduction (3 Minutes)

   • Explain that Gorri is an Indigenous game from the Aboriginal people of Australia.
   • Discuss the cultural significance and how it promotes physical fitness, accuracy, and teamwork.

2. Game Description (2 Minutes)

   • Gorri involves throwing a ball to hit a moving target (traditionally, a rolling piece of bark).

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Skill Development Activities (30 Minutes)

Activity 1: Throwing Accuracy Drills (10 Minutes)

1. Setup:

   • Students form pairs and stand 5 metres apart.
   • Each student has a tennis ball.

2. Instructions:

   • Practice underarm throws, aiming to hit the partner’s ball placed on a cone.
   • Focus on technique: stepping forward with the opposite foot, and aiming with the throwing arm.

3. Progression:

   • Increase the distance gradually.
   • Introduce challenges, such as hitting a specific part of the cone.

Activity 2: Target Practice (10 Minutes)

1. Setup:

   • Place circular hoops or cones at various distances (5, 10, 15 metres).

2. Instructions:

   • Students take turns to throw a ball to hit the targets.
   • Encourage them to use both underarm and overarm throws for variety.

3. Feedback:

   • Provide immediate feedback on technique and accuracy.
   • Encourage students to adjust their throws based on previous attempts.

Activity 3: Mini Gorri Game Simulation (10 Minutes)

1. Setup:

   • Divide students into two teams.
   • Create a large circle with a diameter of 10 metres using markers.

2. Instructions:

   • One team rolls a ball across the circle.
   • The other team attempts to hit the moving ball with their tennis balls.
   • Rotate roles after a set time (e.g., 5 minutes).

3. Rules:

   • Emphasise taking turns and allowing everyone a chance to throw.
   • Ensure that students maintain a safe distance from each other to avoid collisions.

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Conclusion (5 Minutes)

1. Cool Down (3 Minutes)

   • Gentle stretching focusing on arms and legs.
   • Deep breathing exercises to bring the heart rate down.

2. Reflection and Feedback (2 Minutes)

   • Gather students and ask them to share what they enjoyed and what they found challenging.
   • Reinforce the importance of the skills practised and their cultural significance.

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Assessment Strategies

• Observation: Monitor students’ throwing techniques and provide feedback.
• Participation: Encourage all students to participate actively and assess their engagement.
• Reflection: Use students' reflections to gauge understanding and enjoyment of the activities.

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Adaptations and Extensions

• Adaptations: For students struggling with motor skills, reduce the target distance or provide larger targets.
• Extensions: For advanced students, introduce moving targets or increase the complexity of throwing techniques (e.g., adding spins).

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By incorporating these activities, teachers will be able to seamlessly blend skill development with cultural education, creating a rich, engaging Physical Education experience.