Rounders - Lesson 5

In the fifth lesson of a Year 4 rounders series, students aim to enhance their striking skills through engaging small-sided games. The learning objectives are clear: pupils should become more consistent at hitting a bowled ball, learn to hit the ball into spaces away from fielders, and work cohesively as a team. To achieve these goals, the lesson is structured with a warm-up, main activities, and a cool down, each designed to reinforce the key skills of striking and teamwork. The success criteria set the expectations for students to demonstrate improved consistency, spatial awareness, and collaboration.

The warm-up consists of an interceptors game, where students are divided into groups and tasked with catching and passing the ball, with the challenge of maintaining possession under certain conditions. The main part of the lesson involves two primary activities: 'Diamond Rounders' and 'Caterpillar Rounders'. In 'Diamond Rounders', students play a modified game that encourages them to strategise and score runs, while 'Caterpillar Rounders' focuses on teamwork as they hit the ball and complete a rounder in a sequential formation. The lesson concludes with 'Catch & Chat', a reflective activity where students catch and throw a ball while discussing what they've learned. Key vocabulary such as 'strike', 'bowl', and 'waist height' are emphasised, and equipment like rounders posts, bats, tennis balls, and cones are utilised throughout the lesson.