Materials
hopscotch grid (in chalk on your blacktop, with tape on the
floor, or on a hopscotch carpet)
chalk
small beanbags
balls
Instructions
* Prepare a hopscotch grid with numbers 1 to 8.
What to Do
1. Assemble the children around your hopscotch grid.
2. Discuss or review how to hop and jump. For the purposes of this activity,
encourage the children to "hop" on one foot and "jump" with both feet.
3. Demonstrate rules of traditional hopscotch and tell the children that they are
going to do something special on the grid.
4. Invite each child to practice hopping or jumping into the square.
5. Distribute beanbags.
6. Call out a number to one child and have him throw the beanbag to the
numbered square and hop or jump to it.
7. Distribute the balls, call out numbers to each child and challenge him to hop
or jump to the numbered square and bounce the ball the number of time
indicated by the number on the square.
Teacher - to - Teacher Tip
* As the children's number recognition skills increase, write new numbers on
paper and tape them over any permanent ones on the grid. Consider making
a request from your director or principal to have a permanent hopscotch grid
painted on your outdoor hardtop. On another day, teach interested children
the traditional hopscotch game. With older children, consider having them
bounce the ball to two separate squares and add the numbers.
Assessment
To assess the children's learning, consider the following:
* Did the child recognize the numbers on the grid?
* Can the child balance while hopping and jumping in the squares?
