Lesson 1 of 3

30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Learning Goals

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

actively participate in target activities

apply tactical solutions as they send a variety of objects using an overhand throw to a target
demonstrate behaviours and apply procedures to maximize safety.

Facility

Field, Open space

Safety Requirements

Refer to the Ontario Physical Education Safety Guidelines at safety.ophea.net.

Equipment List

5 6 hoops

10 15 pylons

20 30 numbered small balls, such as tennis balls (1 per student)

Teacher Resource 1: Active Living Checklist

Teacher Resource 2: Overhand Throwing to a Target Checklist

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 1 of 6

 Lesson 1 of 3
30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Warm-Up

Students will gradually increase their heart rate by participating in the following activity.

Moving Ball Toss

Place 10 15 pylons around the playing area to designate boundaries.
Divide students into pairs.
Give one partner a small ball.
Have students move around the activity area in a variety of ways while throwing and catching as they
move with their partner.
On a signal, student with the ball throws overhand and completes a self-catch.
Students resume throwing and catching with partner while moving about the playing area until the next
signal.
Repeat.

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 2 of 6

 Lesson 1 of 3
30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Minds On

Share and clarify the lesson Learning Goals with students. Have students reword Learning Goals using
their own language and share newly worded Learning Goals orally.

Using group discussion, have the class identify Success Criteria for the Overhand Throw.

Model the Success Criteria for the three phases for overhand throwing. Preparation

Stand with feet apart, facing sideways with weight on back foot. Hold ball with fingers
Throwing arm lengthens down and back behind body
Eyes remain on target

Execution

Foot opposite to the throwing hand is forward. Rotate body to face target, transferring weight onto the
front foot.
Straighten throwing arm
Keep ball above ear level

Follow-Through

Point throwing hand towards target

Release ball slightly above and in front of head
Throwing arm follows through down and across the body

Play Moving Ball Toss again. Encourage students to experiment throwing overhand with their
non-dominant hand.

A&E - Minds On

Teacher observation of students demonstrated knowledge relating to throwing overhand

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 3 of 6

 Lesson 1 of 3
30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Action

Mad Scramble Toss

Place five hoops randomly around the field and determine a point value for each hoop.
Give each student a numbered small ball. Remind them to remember their number.
Have students line up at one end of the field.
On the teacher s signal, have all students throw their balls using an overhand throw at the various hoops
spread out in the field.
Students find their ball as quickly as possible.
After finding their ball, they return to the start position and wait for the signal from teacher to throw their
ball again.
Students can keep track of the number of points they were able to collect each round.
Remind students to throw only on the signal.

Hoop Toss
Have students work in small groups, each group with their own hoop. Students take turns each
throwing their ball overhand, trying to be closest to the hoop without going further.

Throughout the activity, conference with groups and ask students the following.

Teacher prompt: Why is it important to not throw the ball as hard as you can in this game? Student
response: Because if I throw it too hard, I will not be as accurate and will likely miss the targets,
especially if I am aiming for the closer hoops. I must maintain control of the throw.

Teacher prompt: What can you do to improve your chances at hitting the target? Student response:
I can keep my eyes on the target and follow-through to it as I am throwing.

A&E - Action

Teacher observation of students demonstration of active participation and safety using Teacher
Resource 1: Active Living Checklist

Teacher observation with feedback of students application of overhand throwing skills using Teacher
Resource 2: Overhand Throwing to a Target Checklist

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 4 of 6

 Lesson 1 of 3
30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Cool-Down

Students gradually decrease their heart rate to a resting rate by participating in the activity below.
Students should also stretch the body parts that have been active throughout the lesson. See
Appendix for stretches.

Students walk around the perimeter of the field tossing and catching their small balls on their own or with
a partner.
Once back to the start, students bounce their small ball while standing in one position.
While the teacher collects the balls, students begin to stretch their muscles from head to toes.

Consolidation

Review lesson Learning Goals with students and what those goals look like based on the Success
Criteria. Students use the Thumbs-Up Strategy (see Appendix) to self-assess their ability to obtain the
lesson Learning Goals.

A&E - Consolidation

Teacher observation of student response during Thumbs-up Strategy (see Appendix) self-assessment

Ideas for Extension

Mad Scramble Toss

Have students create group goals when playing against other teams.

Next Steps

Students will refine their understanding and application of sending objects to a target using an
overhand throw with regards to proximity, force and aim.

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 5 of 6

 Lesson 1 of 3
30 minutes
Curriculum expectations: A1.1, A3.1, B1.4, B2.3
Topics: Movement Competence, Active Living
Mad Scramble Toss
Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games

Notes to Teacher

The following steps will help students complete the activities safely and with minimal confusion:

Outline boundaries of the activity area for students.

Ensure each game is spread out to minimize interference from other games.
Remind students that, prior to throwing at target, students are to ensure that there is no one between
them and the target.

Grade 4 | Outdoor Target Games | Mad Scramble Toss | Page 6 of 6