Pumpkin Pins Teacher Guide
PE Curriculum • Grades K-3
PUMPKIN & PINS PE GUIDE
Duration: 40 Minutes
Focus: Hand-Eye Coordination & Roll Accuracy
Motor Skills Underhand Roll, Toss, Catch
SHAPE Standards S1.E13, S1.E16, S4.E1
Setting Gymnasium / Marked Court
Equipment Hoops, Pins, Yarn Balls, Cones
Essential Motor Skill Cues (K-3)
Teacher Prompting
1. TICK-TOCK
Arm swings back like a bowling pendulum
2. STEP OPPOSITE
Step forward with non-throwing foot
3. BEND & GLIDE
Drop knees low; release smooth on floor
4. ALLIGATOR TRAP
Two hands snap ball gently (no kick)
40-Minute Instructional Timeline
0-5 MIN
Warm-Up: Gym Floor Drivers & Body Bridges
Whole Class Dynamic Prep
Students hold a foam ball like a steering wheel, jogging in open space without bumping. On teacher signal ("Red Light!"), freeze in straddle stance and roll ball in a figure-8 through legs. Bridges: sit tall, roll ball around waist 5 times each way to activate visual tracking and grip.
5-15 MIN
Pre-Game Skill Drill: "Target Trap & Step-Back Alley" Pre-Event
Partner Practice (10 min)
Pairs face each other across a 6-foot alley with 1 ball and 1 center mini-cone or poly spot target between them.
K-1 Progression (Roll & Trap)
Partner A rolls ball through Partner B’s straddle legs. Partner B stops it with two hands ("Alligator Trap"). After 3 successful traps in a row, both take 1 giant step backwards to test range.
2-3 Progression (Target Snipe)
Partners attempt to roll or low-toss ball to brush/tap the center mini-cone before partner catches it. 1 point for hitting cone; partner must catch on fly or single bounce.
15-35 MIN
Main Event: Tiered Target Games (20 min)
Full Activity Block
K-1: Pumpkin Patch Roll (Station/team court). Teams roll into gym hoops to harvest pumpkins onto their home cones.
2-3: Pin Knockdown Showdown (Split court). Round 1 blitz demolition; Round 2 introduces the dynamic "Catch & Stand Pin" revive rule.
35-40 MIN
Debrief, Cool-Down & Equipment Return
Reflection & Transition
"Helicopter Ball Breathing": Students inhale rolling ball up to chest, exhale rolling down legs. Review cue questions: "Did looking at your target help you aim?" Team equipment tidy relay.
Gymnasium Safety & Ball Control Protocol
Always enforce waist-height throws or floor rolls only—no overhead strikes. In K-1, retrieve only when lane is clear. In 2-3, students must never cross the center neutral river line. Soft yarn or foam balls only to prevent injury.
Activity Deep Dive
GAMEPLAY MECHANICS & TIER SPECIFICS
Page 2 of 2
K-1: THE PUMPKIN PATCH
Court Setup:
Teams of 2-3 at poly spots behind baseline cones. 12-18 hula hoops ("pumpkins") scattered 8-18 ft away across open court. 1 soft ball per team.
Step-by-Step Flow:
- Player 1 rolls ball toward any open hula hoop.
- Hit & Land: If ball stops inside hoop, player runs out, takes hoop, and stacks it over their team cone ("Harvested!").
- Miss: Player fetches ball and hands it to Partner 2.
- Next player rolls. Game ends when all pumpkins are harvested!
Differentiation & Coaching:
- Support: Place 3 hoops closer (6-8 ft) or use larger 8" playground ball.
- Challenge: Multi-colored hoops: Green = 1 pt, Orange = 2 pts, Gold = 3 pts.
Focus: Speed control & release angle K-1 Target
2-3: PIN KNOCKDOWN ARENA
Court Setup:
Split gym with a 6-foot neutral buffer zone ("The River"). 8-10 pins stood upright inside hula hoops spaced along each baseline. 6-10 soft yarn balls.
Round 1: Rapid Demolition
Players stay on their side, throwing underhand to knock opponent pins over. First side to knock down all opposing pins earns the round victory.
Round 2: The "Catch & Revive" Rule
Game Changer: If a defender catches an opponent's thrown yarn ball cleanly in the air (without dropping), their team may stand ONE downed pin back up!
Safety & Rules:
- No goalie guarding inside hoop borders.
- Balls rolling in river can only be scooped if feet stay out.
Focus: Defensive tracking & precision toss Grades 2-3
Formative Observational Rubric
| Skill Category | 1 - Emerging | 2 - Developing | 3 - Proficient |
|---|
| Underhand Roll (K-1) | Throws from chest without stepping; ball bounces erratically. | Steps forward (same foot), releases close to ground; moderate aim. | Steps with opposite foot, low pendulum swing, ball stays smooth on floor. |
| Toss & Knockdown (2-3) | Over-throws wildly or rushes; releases above shoulder level. | Consistent underhand motion; hits hoop perimeter frequently. | Controls trajectory and speed; accurately targets upright pins. |
| Catching & Trapping | Waits for ball to stop; recoils hands away from approaching ball. | Traps rolling balls against body; occasional two-hand air catches. | Tracks ball with eyes; reaches with soft hands; secures clean catches. |
Closure Debrief Prompts
Mechanical Question: "What happened to your ball when you stood tall versus when you bent your knees deep to roll?"
Vision & Focus: "Where were your eyes looking during your backswing and right at your release?"
Strategy (2-3): "How did the Catch & Revive rule change how your team stood on defense?"
Lesson Unit: Motor Skills & Hand-Eye Coordination Standards: National PE Standards 1 & 4 Lenny Physical Education Suite
Gym Station Visual Posters
K - 1 Physical Education
🎃 THE GREAT PUMPKIN PATCH 🎃
Roll with accuracy • Harvest the hoops • High five your partner!
1
READY ON YOUR SPOT
Stand behind your team cone on your poly spot. Hold the ball with two hands.
2
TICK-TOCK ROLL!
Step forward with your opposite foot. Bend knees low and roll smooth along the floor!
3
PUMPKIN HARVEST!
Ball stopped in hoop? Run out, pick up the hoop, and slide it down your team cone!
4
PASS & HIGH FIVE
Missed? No problem! Scoop up the ball, run back, and gently hand it to your partner.
Court View: How Our Gym Looks K-1 Game Zone
🔺 Team Cone 1
🔺 Team Cone 2
🔺 Team Cone 3
🔺 Team Cone 4
⬇ Roll Smooth ⬇ ⬇ Eyes on Hoop ⬇ ⬇ Roll Smooth ⬇
🎃
🎃
🎃
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🎃
PRO ROLLER CHECKLIST
👀 Eagle Eyes Lock your eyes on the inside of the hoop
🦶 Opposite Foot Big step forward towards your target
🐸 Bend Like Frog Release the ball right against the wood floor
🤝 Good sportsmanship wins every time! Cheer on your teammates! 📣
Grades 2 - 3 Physical Education
🎳 PIN KNOCKDOWN ARENA 🎳
Precision Underhand Throwing • Team Defense • Catch & Revive
Round 1
PIN DEMOLITION
- ▶ Mission: Knock down all opponent bowling pins inside their hula hoops.
- ▶ Throws Only: Safe, underhand rolls and throws below waist level.
- ▶ Victory: First team to clear all opposing pins standing wins Round 1!
Round 2
CATCH & REVIVE!
- ⚡ Game-Changer Rule: Catch any opponent throw cleanly out of the air before it hits the floor!
- ⚡ Stand a Pin: A clean catch allows your team to immediately stand ONE pin back up!
- ⚡ Never Out: No matter how many pins fall, great catches can bring your team back!
Arena Boundary Rules Stay on your side at all times
TEAM BLUE ZONE
🎳🎳🎳🎳
Guards stand outside hoop borders
NO STEP The River Buffer
Pumpkin and Pins Slides
K - 3 Physical Education
40-Minute Target Unit
🎃 HAND-EYE COORDINATION 🎳
PUMPKIN & PINS
Master the low roll, pinpoint your target, and rally with your team in today’s gym challenge!
1
Partner Warm-Up
Step-Back Alley
2
K-1 Event
The Pumpkin Patch
3
Grades 2-3 Event
Pin Knockdown Arena
Technique Spotlight
The 4 Pro Cues to Aim & Roll
🕰️
1. TICK-TOCK
Swing arm back smooth like a clock pendulum.
Arm Back!
👟
2. OPPOSITE FOOT
Step forward with your other foot toward target.
Big Step!
🐸
3. BEND & GLIDE
Drop knees low. Ball glides smooth on the floor!
No Bouncing!
🐊
4. ALLIGATOR TRAP
Snap two hands over the ball to secure control.
Soft Hands!
💡 Remember: Keep your eyes locked on the target until the ball arrives!
Lead-In Skill Warm-Up (10 Minutes)
Partner Step-Back Alley
K-1 ROLL & TRAP
Level 1
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- Face your partner 6 feet apart in straddle stance.
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- Roll smoothly between your partner's feet.
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- Partner traps with two hands ("Alligator Trap").
⭐ Level Up: 3 clean traps = Take 1 giant step back!
2-3 TARGET SNIPE
Level 2
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- Place one mini-cone halfway between you and partner.
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- Roll or low-toss to tap the cone on the way through.
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- Partner catches on the fly or after 1 soft bounce.
🎯 Challenge: How many cone hits can you get in 2 min?
Focus: Soft hands & consistent control Warm-Up Phase: 10 Minutes
Main Event: Grades K - 1
The Great Pumpkin Patch
🎃
1
STAND & AIM
Stand on your team's poly spot behind your cone. Pick any hula hoop in the gym!
2
LAND TO HARVEST!
If your ball stops inside a hoop: run out, pick it up, and ring it onto your cone!
