Move, Catch, Throw

Curriculum Area

Subject: Physical Education
Grade: Year 2
Duration: 40 minutes
Number of Students: 35
Curriculum: Based on the Ontario Health and Physical Education Curriculum (Canada), Grade 2
Strand: Active Living, Movement Competence
Curriculum Expectations Addressed:

• A1.1: Actively participate in a wide variety of physical activities.
• A1.2: Demonstrate an understanding of factors that contribute to enjoyment of physical activity.
• B1.3: Perform locomotor and non-locomotor movements in a variety of activities.
• B2.1: Demonstrate developmentally appropriate manipulative skills (e.g., throwing, catching) in small-group activities.

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Learning Goals

By the end of the session, students will be able to:

• Demonstrate proper form in overhand and underhand throwing.
• Show accurate timing and hand-eye coordination for catching.
• Engage in physical activity in a cooperative and respectful manner.

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Success Criteria

Students will successfully:

• Throw and catch a ball with a partner using correct technique.
• Participate safely and actively in all activities.
• Demonstrate spatial awareness and cooperation with peers.

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Equipment Needed

• 18 soft foam balls or beanbags (1 per 2 students)
• 12 hula hoops
• 20 coloured cones
• Stopwatch or whistle
• 2 large buckets
• Music speaker (optional for transition cues)

Note: Low-prep and easy cleanup. No permanent marking needed.

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Setup (5 minutes)

Location: Outdoor field or blacktop

• Mark out boundaries using cones for warm-up space and station areas.
• Space out hula hoops in a large circle approximately 2 metres apart.
• Place foam balls near the centre for easy access.

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Lesson Breakdown

🔄 Warm-Up & Stretching (5 minutes)

Activity: “Copy the Leader – Jungle Stretches”
Students follow your lead through a dynamic jungle-themed stretching routine. Call out the animal and action while demonstrating.

1. Giraffe Neck Stretch — Reach arms high, stretch tall (10 seconds)
2. Elephant Trunk Swings — Arms swing left and right (10 seconds)
3. Kangaroo Bounces — Light knee bends, bounce in place (15 seconds)
4. Crab Walk Wriggles — Sit back, move hips side to side (15 seconds)

Mini-Discussion: "Which muscles do we feel when we stretch like this? Why is this important before we play catch?"

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🤲 Catching Technique Review (5 minutes)

Focus Points (Teacher-led)

• Eyes on the ball
• Hands together in a “cup” for soft catches
• Reach out, absorb with soft hands

Mini Activity: "Self Toss"

• Each student gets a ball (or beanbag).
• Toss up gently and try to catch.
• Progression: clap once before catching → take one step back before toss.

Teacher Tip: Use phrases like: “Look, Reach, Catch!” to reinforce technique.

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🎯 Throwing Technique Review (5 minutes)

Focus Points

• Step with opposite foot to your throwing hand
• Use one hand for overhand, underhand
• Follow through with your arm

Mini Activity: “Target Toss”

• Students pair up, 2 metres apart
• Use underhand throw to throw beanbag to partner standing in a hula hoop
• After 4 successful catches, they move one step back

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🏅 Main Activity: 3-Station Circuit (20 minutes)

Divide class into 3 groups (12 + 12 + 11). Rotate every 6 minutes. 2-minute water break/transition.

🏃‍♂️ Station 1: Partner Catch Battle

• Students face a partner at 3 metres
• Toss and catch using soft foam balls
• Challenge: How many catches in 30 seconds?
• Extension: move farther after 5 successful catches

📌 Focus: Soft hands, timing, communication

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🎯 Station 2: “Bucket It” Challenge

• Set up two large buckets per team
• Use cones to mark 3 throw lines (close, medium, far)
• Students try to throw foam balls into the bucket from different distances

⭐ Achievement levels:

• Close: 1 point 🟢
• Medium: 2 points 🔵
• Far: 3 points 🔴

📌 Focus: Aiming, underhand accuracy, control

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🌪 Station 3: Catch-and-Move Tag

• Two students are “Tossing It” taggers with balls
• Taggers must gently toss the ball and call a name
• If the student catches = free; drop/can’t catch = joins taggers
• Rotate taggers each round

📌 Focus: Reaction, catching under light pressure, moving to space

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🧘 Cool Down & Reflection (5 minutes)

Activity: “Ball Breathing & Body Slowdown”

• Students sit in a circle
• Hold ball in lap, breathe in (lift ball), breathe out (lower)
• Slow shoulder rolls and reach to the sky

Reflection Questions (Pose while cooling down):

• “What helped you catch the ball better today?”
• “Why do we practise throwing different ways?”
• “How did you show teamwork today?”

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Assessment & Differentiation

Assessment (Observation)

Skill	Emerging	Developing	Proficient
Catching Technique	Needs support	Improving control	Consistent & confident
Throwing Form	Needs reminders	Basic steps evident	Clear technique & follow-through
Participation	Off-task	Usually engaged	Fully engaged, encouraging peers

Notes can be jotted on clipboard during stations or mentally noted for follow-up.

Differentiation

• For struggling students: Reduce distance, pair with supportive peers, provide success cues (“Thumbs together!”)
• For advanced learners: Introduce one-handed catching, trick throws, varied trajectories
• Language learners: Use visuals, role-play demonstration, body cues

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Extension Opportunities

• Introduce catching with movement (running catch zones)
• Partner-created throwing games (student-led warm-up next time)
• Challenge another class for round-robin Bucket Toss Day!

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Teacher Tips

• Reinforce the “look before you throw” golden rule.
• Praise soft hands and teamwork, not just accuracy.
• Keep tone energetic and light—celebrate all successes!

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Your students won’t just be learning to catch and throw—they’ll build coordination, trust, and confidence. This lesson is flexible and fun, with a rhythm that combines engagement and technique. Let the sunshine and the simple tools lead to huge growth on the playground!