Lesson Plan: Positive Communication in Volleyball

Subject: Physical Education & Health

Year Level: Year 10 (Ages 14-15)

Duration: 59 minutes

Class Size: 30 students

Location: School Gymnasium

Focus

This lesson plan is developed to align with the New Zealand Curriculum standards for Physical Education, specifically targeting the Health and Physical Education learning area, under the strand Healthy Communities and Environments and the key area of learning Relationships with Other People. The students will explore and develop positive communication skills in a sport setting (volleyball), aiming to enhance positive attitudes and enjoyment in sports.

Learning Objectives

1. Understand and apply effective communication strategies in volleyball.
2. Demonstrate sportsmanship and positive social interactions during gameplay.
3. Reflect on how communication affects team dynamics and personal enjoyment in sports.

Resources Required

• Volleyballs (at least one per group)
• Volleyball nets (set up before class)
• Whistle
• Timer or stopwatch
• Whiteboard and markers
• Observation checklist for communication and sportsmanship

Lesson Structure

Introduction (10 minutes)

1. Welcome and Learning Objectives Presentation (5 minutes):

   • Briefly introduce the session's focus, explaining the importance of communication in sports for fostering enjoyment and positive team dynamics.
   • Address the specific objectives of the lesson.

2. Warm-Up Activity: Communication Circle (5 minutes):

   • Students form a large circle. Start with a volleyball; the student with the ball states their name and passes the ball to another student across the circle while making eye contact and using positive verbal encouragement.
   • This exercise preps the students for teamwork and communication, emphasizing eye contact and clear verbal cues.

Main Activity (35 minutes)

1. Skill Development: King of the Court (15 minutes):

   • Divide the class into small groups (5 groups of 6 students).
   • Each group plays at their designated volleyball court. The game is played where each team takes turns serving and attempting to win points. The team on the "King's" side tries to maintain their position by winning the point. When they lose a point, they rotate with another team.
   • Focus on the use of supportive language, positive cheering, and strategizing aloud amongst teammates.

2. Full Class Activity: Volleyball Match (20 minutes):

   • Reorganise students into two larger teams (15 vs. 15) for a regular volleyball match.
   • Encourage application of the learned communication skills during a full-scale game.
   • Use this opportunity to observe and later discuss the application of positive communication strategies.

Conclusion (14 minutes)

1. Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes):

   • Lead a cool-down activity with light stretching.
   • Ask students to think about moments where positive communication impacted their game today.

2. Group Discussion and Feedback (9 minutes):

   • Facilitate a discussion on what types of communication helped maintain a positive atmosphere.
   • Discuss how these strategies can be applied in other team sports and areas of life.
   • Invite feedback on what worked well and what could be improved in future sports sessions.

Assessment

• Observational Assessment: Use a checklist to observe and note instances of effective communication and sportsmanship during the main activities.
• Reflective Discussion: Assess students’ ability to articulate how communication affected their gameplay and team dynamics.

Links to the New Zealand Curriculum

• Health and Physical Education in the New Zealand Curriculum: This link provides detailed standards and expectations for teaching PE and Health in New Zealand, supporting the development of well-rounded skills in physical activity and social interactions among students.

This lesson plan is designed to not only improve physical skills in volleyball but also to enhance interpersonal and communication skills that students can carry into various aspects of their lives, in accordance with New Zealand educational goals.