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Name of Activity: StackBall
Purpose of Activity: To participate in a cooperative activity that allows for different stack formations to be completed as a result of successful throws and catches.
Prerequisites: Students should know and be able to demonstrate the proper form for the overhand throw (side to target, elbow back, step with opposition, throw and follow through) and catch (reach, grab, pull).
Suggested Grade Level: 3-5
Materials Needed: sport stacking cups, small foam or gator skin balls, small cones, large cones, hula hoops
Description of Idea Have the students find a partner and explain how one partner will be the thrower to start, while the other is the catcher to start. The throwers must stay behind a certain line in the gym, while the catchers must stay behind the small cone line opposite the throwers. Off to the side, several large cones mark off the "stacking area" which has several hula hoops on the floor, each with a stack of 6 cups inside (we use 8 hoops). Teacher will hand out the small foam balls or gator balls to the throwers (one for each). The throwers try to throw the ball from behind the designated line to the catchers behind the cone line. If a successful throw and catch are completed (aka a catch is made without being dropped) the catcher runs over to the stacking area and takes 1 cup off the top of the downstacked 6-stack and places it in front. Then the catcher runs back behind the cones, rolls the ball back to their partner who is the thrower so that they can try again. All catchers work on the same 6-stack until it is completely upstacked before moving on to the next hoop with the next downstacked 6-stack inside. Players are working cooperatively to see if they can upstack all 8 6-stacks within a given time limit (we use 4:00 minutes). Once all the 6-stacks are upstacked or the 4:00 minutes is up, the round is over and the music goes off, which lets the students know they should sit and listen. We usually keep a leader board for each round to let the students see if they can improve on their time with each next round. Once the totals are tallied by the teacher, have the catchers downstack all of the cups so they look just as they did when we started. Then have the partners switch places and start a new round!
Assessment Ideas: You can use checklist rubrics for both overhand throwing and catching using the critical elements you have gone over in previous classes that you are looking for the students to demonstrate during this game.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: For students with disabilities have their partners get as close as necessary in order for both to be successful for both throwing and catching. Also use various sized, shaped and textured balls that may be a necessary accommodation for a student with a specific type of disability.
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