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Name of Activity: The Changing Walls, Ceiling, and Floor Space Game
Purpose of Activity: The purpose of this activity is to get kids to use their imaginations when trying to play different types of shots in tennis.
Prerequisites: They should have some prior practice with general strokes in net games.
Suggested Grade Level: 3-5
Materials Needed: Badminton Rackets,
Shuttlecocks,
Whiffle Balls,
Tennis Rackets,
Tennis Balls,
Ping Pong Paddles,
Ping Pong Balls,
Large Plastic Paddles,
4 cones per pair and
Imaginations!!
Description of Idea
Working with a partner, the students have to imagine that they are playing a net game inside of an imaginary room. They have to decide how high the walls and ceiling are, how high the net is, and how much floor space there is. The 4 cones given to them act as corners of the room and indicate to them the amount of floor space that they have. For example, they could have very high walls and a high ceiling, but very little floor space or they could have very narrow but long floor space and medium height walls and ceiling (with a low net).
Whatever combination they come up with, they have to experiment with different types of equipment and playing the shots required considering the size of the room, height of the walls and ceiling, and height of the net. This promotes inquiry and helps students learn about a variety of shots of various trajectory, length and touch. They play the game for a few minutes and then switch all aspects of the room. Once they change all aspects, they have to discuss and practice which shots are needed. They are allowed to change equipment whenever they wanted. The complete lesson plan and real examples of student assessment can be seen by visiting the following link on my website: http://www.pyppewithandy.com/2/post/2012/11/getting-the-students-to-use-inquiry-in-net-games-grade-4.html
Assessment Ideas: What is most important here is thinking skills rather than the actual physical skill of hitting a shuttlecock, ping pong ball, or tennis ball. On their assessment sheets they have to draw the rooms that they created in their imaginations with their partner. They have to describe which shots were easy and which shots were most difficult. As well, they can chose to use colored lines to indicate different ball flights.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: Kids with disabilities can be observers and learn from the process and still complete the assessment sheets as an option. As well, they can verbalize their thoughts when possible or easily take part using a bigger softer ball rather than the smaller ones.
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