Toss Champs Lesson Plan
Adapted P.E. Essential Skills Curriculum
Toss Champs: Underhand Fundamentals
35–40 Minutes
Grades K–5 • All Abilities
Focus Skill Underhand Toss
Environment Gym / Safe Hallway
Support Staff 1:1 Aides & Peer Buddies
Target Standard SHAPE S1.E13 & S4
Measurable Learning Objectives
Motor Skill (Psychomotor)
Student will perform an underhand pendulum swing releasing an adapted object toward a 3-foot target from 4–6 feet away in 4 out of 5 trials with tiered cueing.
Social & Safety (Affective)
Student will wait for the "Clear / Toss" signal before releasing, and participate in peer partner retrieval routines using safe floor scanning.
Core Movement Cues (Simplified Language)
1
"Eyes on Target"
Feet stable, face the basket, belly button forward.
2
"Tick-Tock Swing"
Arm swings back like a grandfather clock pendulum.
3
"Step & Open"
Step opposite foot forward, fingers open low to release.
Sensory-Adapted Equipment Options
Chiffon Scarves
Slow-motion float; zero bounce; ideal for low tracking speed.
Fleece Yarn Balls
Ultra-tactile, no noise impact, soft grip, won't roll away.
Textured Beanbags
Weighted proprioceptive feedback, stays where it lands.
Giant Pop-Up Bins
High contrast, 24" wide mouths, laundry hampers or low hoops.
Safety & Room Management Protocol
- Universal Toss Line: Poly spots or brightly colored floor tape mark fixed throwing stations.
- "Stop, Drop, Freeze": Use whistle + visual red stop sign when anyone steps into the tossing zone.
- Organized Retrieval: Students toss all 3 items first; retrieve only when peer buddy gives "All Clear".
- Trip Hazard Prevention: Use yarn balls and beanbags that do not roll into neighboring student zones.
Toss Champs Adapted P.E. Series Page 1 of 2 • Instructional Framework
Lesson Pacing & Station Differentiation
Structured time blocks, tiered skill levels, and peer coaching guidance
Stations & Flow
Pacing Breakdown (35–40 Min)
05–08 Min
Sensory Warm-Up: "Floating Clouds & Clock Hands"
Each student holds a scarf. Practice gentle two-hand lifts, then single-hand "tick-tock" swings. Follow the teacher's metronome chime.
20–22 Min
Rotational Stations (4 Stations × 5 Min)
Small groups of 2–3 rotate through 4 activity stations with peer buddy/aide: Cloud Drop, Color Splash Hoops, Monster Basket, and Ladder Lines.
05–07 Min
Cool-Down, Visual Rubric & Celebration
Deep breath balloon exercise, equipment collect into rolling bin, self-reflection thumb signal (Up = Rocked it, Side = Practicing).
Three Skill Levels (Tiered Support)
Beginning Tier 1
- Distance: 2–3 feet from target.
- Target: 30" wide container or hoop on floor.
- Object: Chiffon scarf or oversized yarn ball.
- Cue: Focus solely on opening hand downward into target.
Developing Tier 2
- Distance: 4–6 feet from target.
- Target: Standard laundry basket or angled hoop.
- Object: Standard beanbag or soft tennis ball.
- Cue: Combine "Tick-Tock" backward swing + low release.
Progressing Tier 3
- Distance: 6–8+ feet with tiered zones.
- Target: Tiered buckets or smaller cones.
- Object: Variety of weighted beanbags.
- Cue: Step with opposite foot; follow through to hip/chest.
Adult Aide & Peer Support Hierarchy
Prompt Fading Sequence
- Hand-under-Hand: Guide under student's wrist/elbow to support swing path.
- Tactile Tap: Tap hip or target foot to prompt backward swing or step.
- Visual Pointing: Point to target and model "open hand" gesture.
- Verbal Only: Say "Tick-Tock... Release!" with no physical assistance.
Peer Buddy Action Roles
- The Cheerer: Stands alongside (not in line of fire), gives high fives after throws.
- The Hand-Off: Hands one beanbag at a time to prevent tossing all at once.
- The Retriever: Walks to target zone only after peer finishes all 3 throws.
- Model Partner: Demonstrates one smooth underhand toss before student's turn.
Quick Observational Checklist
| Skill Criterion | Emerging (1) | With Support (2) | Mastered (3) |
|---|
| Faces target with body & eyes | Needs full redirect | Verbal prompt | Consistent independent |
| Backward arm swing (pendulum) | Chest shove / push | Partial backswing | Smooth underhand swing |
| Releases object forward toward target | Drops straight down | Releases with cue | Arc towards target |
Toss Champs Adapted P.E. Series Page 2 of 2 • Lesson Facilitation & Rubric
Toss Station Activity Cards
Toss Champs Station Cards
Essential Skills Adapted P.E. • Stations 1 & 2
3 Skill Tiers Peer Supported
Station 1
Floating Cloud Drop
Sensory Acclimation • Scarves
Equipment: 3 Bright Chiffon Scarves • 1 Large Floor Target (Hula Hoop or Baby Pool)
1
Pinch the Cloud
Hold corner of the scarf with thumb and pointer finger.
2
Swing Pendulum
Swing arm back like a clock hand: "Tick... Tock!"
3
Float into Hoop
Open fingers forward low to let the cloud drift down.
🟢 Level 1: Beginning
Stand right next to hoop (1 ft away); drop scarf directly into the center.
🟡 Level 2: Developing
Stand at the 3-foot marker; use a smooth backward swing before release.
🔵 Level 3: Progressing
Stand 5 feet back; step opposite foot forward as the scarf floats away.
Peer Buddy Role: Hand one scarf at a time. Cheer: "1, 2, 3, Float!"
Aide Prompt: Hand-under-wrist to guide the low upward arc.
Station 2
Color Splash Hoop Toss
Proprioception • Beanbags
Equipment: 4 Colored Beanbags (Red, Blue, Yellow, Green) • 3 Flat Hula Hoops
1
Pick a Color
Grip textured beanbag in palm; point toes toward that hoop.
2
Tick-Tock Back
Arm straight down; swing back past hip like a bowling ball.
3
Slide onto Target
Release low at knee height so beanbag lands with a soft splat!
🟢 Level 1: Beginning
Target is 3 feet away. Aim for any of the 3 large hoops.
🟡 Level 2: Developing
Target is 5 feet away. Color match: Red beanbag into Red hoop!
🔵 Level 3: Progressing
Hoops placed in a row (Close, Medium, Far). Score 1-2-3 points.
Peer Buddy Role: Calls out the matching color: "Find Red!" Counts successful lands.
Aide Prompt: Place floor footprint marker to guide opposite foot placement.
Toss Champs Station Cards
Essential Skills Adapted P.E. • Stations 3 & 4
Quiet Yarn Balls Distance Stepper
Station 3
Monster Bin Feeding Frenzy
Sensory Friendly • Yarn Balls
Equipment: 4 Soft Fleece Yarn Balls • 1 Giant Pop-Up Hamper with Friendly Monster Eyes
1
Squeeze & Ready
Squeeze the squishy yarn ball; look at the monster's open mouth.
