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Curriculum Links

Learning Area: Health and Physical Education
Curriculum Level: Level 4 – New Zealand Curriculum
Strand Focus:

• Movement Concepts and Motor Skills – develop more complex movement sequences and strategies in a range of physical activities.
• Relationships with Other People – demonstrate cooperation and responsible behaviour in physical settings.
• Personal Health and Physical Development – participate in regular physical activity and explain how this enhances their well-being.

Big Idea from Physical Education Learning Matrix:

“Understanding movement—how and why we move—in ways that develop personal and social responsibility, identity, and hauora (well-being).”

Whakataukī (Subject Guidance):

He oranga ngākau, he pikinga waiora – Positive feelings in your heart will raise your sense of self-worth.

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Lesson Title

Rounders: Play with Purpose

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Year Level

Year 7 (approximately age 11–12)

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Class Size

28 students

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Duration

60 minutes

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Lesson Purpose / Learning Intentions

By the end of this lesson, students will:

• Develop and demonstrate fundamental striking and fielding skills through a modified game of rounders.
• Apply tactics within a team environment, showing cooperation and communication.
• Reflect on how physical activity contributes to their identity, well-being, and sense of belonging.

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Success Criteria

Students will be successful when they can:

• Confidently strike a ball with control using a bat or paddle.
• Field effectively as part of a team and apply basic tactics.
• Communicate positively and supportively with teammates.
• Reflect on their participation and identify how it impacted their physical, social, and emotional well-being.

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Required Equipment

• 1 foam rounders bat per group (or lightweight plastic bats)
• 6–8 tennis balls (soft)
• 4 bases / markers per diamond
• Cones to mark field boundaries
• Pinnies or bibs to identify teams
• Whistle (teacher-led)
• Whiteboard and markers for post-game debrief

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Safety Considerations

• Ensure adequate spacing between playing areas.
• Use soft equipment to reduce injury risks.
• Pre-lesson check that all students are wearing appropriate shoes.
• Warm-up and cooldown included to prevent injury.
• Clear safety instructions before striking activities.

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Lesson Outline

🟢 1. Whakatau & Warm-Up (10 minutes)

Purpose: Set focus, warm up muscles, build connection.

• Greeting/karakia or pepeha: Begin with a brief whakawhanaungatanga (connection moment), e.g., a simple class mihi or daily karakia.
• Dynamic warm-up tag: Mihi-Tag – Students jog in space; when tagged, pause and share one thing that makes them feel good during PE with the tagger before tagging someone else. Include:
  • High knees, lunges, arm circles
  • Encourage laughter and connection
  • Prompt: “Why do we enjoy playing games like rounders?”

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⚾ 2. Skill Development: Stations (15 minutes)

Purpose: Practise main components of rounders using rotational skill stations.

Split class into 4 groups of 7 – rotate every 3 minutes.

Tip: Set up stations in corners of field or gym.

1. Batting Technique – Standing sideways and hitting from a tee, focusing on stance and swing.
2. Throwing & Catching – Pair up and practise underarm/overarm throws with accuracy.
3. Base Running – Sprinting between cones, focus on agility and reaction time. Practice calling “safe” or “run!”.
4. Fielding Drill – Scoop and throw to a teammate across the square.

Each station led by clear visuals or peer modelling. Quick huddles between rotations to highlight good technique and fair play.

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🧠 3. Tactical Game Intro (5 minutes)

Purpose: Understand game rules and basic tactics.

Gather students and briefly explain modified Kiwi Rounders rules.

• 2 teams of 14 (split into 7 fielders + 7 batters, then switch)
• Batters hit, run around 4 bases
• 1 point for each base reached; bonus for a full run
• Fielders return ball quickly to ‘base 1’
• Everyone gets 2 turns to bat
• Encourage leadership roles like “team captain” or “score caller”

Prompt students with decision-making questions:

• “Where’s the best place to hit the ball to score most points?”
• “What can fielders do to work smarter together?”

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🔥 4. Play-Off: Kiwi Rounders (20 minutes)

Purpose: Apply skills in a game context; encourage fair play and communication.

Play on 2 small diamonds with 14 players per field. Rotate teams halfway (after 10 minutes).

• Encourage leaders to help organise positions.
• Teacher observes for skill application, encouragement, and fair play.
• Use a Māori value focus like mahitahi (collaboration) and call out loud praise for it.

Roles can rotate: batter, fielder, first base, backstop.

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💬 5. Cool Down & Reflection (10 minutes)

Purpose: Lower body temperature, reflect on learning and hauora.

Cool Down Activity – “Hauora Breather”

• Light jogging into walking around the field
• Group breathing sequence:
  Inhale for 4 – Hold for 2 – Exhale for 6
• Stretch arms, legs, and back while seated

Reflection Circle – “Whakarongo and Share”
Sit in a large circle. Ask:

• Tinana (body): “How did your body feel during the game?”
• Wairua (spirit): “Did you feel proud, excited, or nervous?”
• Hinengaro (mind): “What did you learn or try differently today?”
• Whānau (social): “How did you support your teammates?”

Ask for 3–4 volunteers to share. Celebrate great teamwork and effort.

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Assessment Opportunities

Formative:

• Observation checklists during skill stations and games
• Self-reflection comments during cooldown
• Peer-to-peer feedback between rotations

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Extensions / Differentiation

For Support:

• Use batting tees
• Allow underarm tosses
• Pair with buddy for fielding

For Challenge:

• Adapt rules: bonus points for team talks or tactical plays
• Introduce “mystery ball” – a heavier ball for double points when hit
• Student-led umpiring

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Teacher Reflection Notes

• What aspects did ākonga engage with most enthusiastically?
• Did mātauranga Māori concepts like hauora and kotahitanga show in student interactions?
• What support could I offer next time for students less confident with striking skills?

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Ka pai te mahi! Let’s keep building movement confidence and connection through purposeful and fun learning.