Lesson Plan for Transitional Kindergarten
Throwing and Catching Balls Use Balloons and Balls to develop coordination, learn about sharing space, develop muscle movements, and learn vocabulary for identifying body parts, directions and balls skills."
Make a Paper Ball as an art project (1) Wad a couple sheets of paper into a round shape securing the shape with masking tape. Add three or four layers of newspaper strips that have been soaked in water. Lay strips of paper towels on top of the newspaper strips for the last layer. When dry, the balls can be colored with tempera paint. Add a cover of diluted white glue to make the ball waterproof. (2) Make a lightweight ball by applying paper mache over a balloon, dry and paint it as previously explained.
Start With a Balloon (1) Catching a balloon is easier than catching a ball because the balloon moves slowly, helping children to coordinate their movements. Have the children throw a balloon to each other and catch it. In a group, have several children hit a balloon gently to keep it up in the air. You can play a waltz or other music while practicing to keep the balloon in the air. (2) Try using two balloons or one balloon for two people. Consider keeping an extra balloon on hand in case the first one pops. Explain ahead of time what makes a balloon pop; demonstrate by popping a paper sack. It might be good to pop a few balloons deliberately to avoid any fears a child may have.
Practice Skills for Tossing and Catching
Have the students toss the ball (1) From one hand to the other (2) In the air and catch it
(3) Back and forth to a partner (4) In the air, then clap your hands and catch it (5) In the air, then turn around and catch it (6) Keep the ball in the air tossing and catching with their hands without throwing it
Ball Manipulation
(1) Have students sit down and move the ball around their bodies (2) Hold the ball in their hands and step through their arms (3) Hold the ball between their knees (4) Pick up the balls with their feet
Bouncing Ball
Have students use a rubber ball to (1) Bounce and catch with one hand, then use the other hand (2) Bounce and catch a ball two times, then three times (3) Bounce the ball and catch it before it hits the ground (4) Bounce the ball very low to the ground ( (5) Bounce the ball with another part of the body: two fingers, wrist, or elbow (6) Bounce and catch a ball as they walk along a line (7) Bounce a ball back and forth with a partner (8) Have students pass their leg over the ball as they bounce and catch the ball
Circle Game with Balls
Have students roll the ball back and forth with a partner. Then have them sit in a circle, call out another student’s name, and toss or roll the ball to that person. The ball in turn is tossed to another person in the circle.