Rounders - Lesson 1

In a structured Year 4 physical education lesson, students are introduced to the fundamental skills of throwing and catching, essential for playing rounders. The learning objectives are clearly defined: pupils should be able to catch consistently, throw accurately at a target and to others, and maintain these skills under pressure. The lesson is broken down into a warm-up, main activity, and cool-down, each designed to progressively build the necessary skills. The warm-up involves dynamic exercises such as running between cones and passing balls in teams, with variations like side steps and high-knees to enhance agility. Key vocabulary such as "throw," "catch," "underarm," and "overarm" is introduced to help students understand and execute the movements effectively.

The main section of the lesson focuses on paired catching exercises, with pupils working in pairs and small groups to practice underarm throws and catches at varying heights and distances. Key teaching points emphasize the importance of accurate throws aimed at waist height and the correct hand positioning for catching. The lesson plan incorporates variations and extensions to challenge pupils of different abilities, including using different types of balls and adjusting the size of the playing area. The cool-down activity reinforces the lesson's focus, with pupils passing balls along a line and discussing the importance of the skills learned in the context of playing rounders. Throughout the lesson, success criteria ensure that pupils can self-assess their progress in achieving the objectives of consistently throwing and catching a ball.