Objective

By the end of this lesson, the student will be able to understand and play hopscotch, improving their balance, coordination, and counting skills while having fun!

Materials and Prep

• No special materials are needed, just some outdoor space or a flat area to draw the hopscotch grid.
• Before the lesson, make sure to find a safe place where the student can jump around freely.
• Consider using chalk or tape to create the hopscotch grid if available, but it can also be drawn with sticks or just imagined in the air!

Activities

• Creating the Hopscotch Grid: Start by drawing a hopscotch grid on the ground with chalk or tape, or simply use your imagination to visualize it. The grid should have 9 squares numbered 1 to 9, with a single square at the top and a double square for 4 and 5.

• Learning to Toss: Use a small stone or any small object to toss onto the numbers. The student can practice aiming and throwing to land the object in the right square.

• Jumping and Hopping: Teach the student how to jump on one foot and two feet as they navigate through the squares. Encourage them to hop on one foot for the single squares and land with both feet in the double squares.

• Counting and Singing: While playing, the student can count the numbers as they hop and sing a fun hopscotch song or chant to keep the rhythm!

• Variations of the Game: Encourage the student to come up with their own rules or variations, like hopping backward or doing silly dances in between jumps!

Talking Points

• "Hopscotch is a fun game that helps us practice jumping and balancing. Let's see how high we can jump!"
• "Can you count the numbers on the hopscotch grid? Let's count together as we play!"
• "When you toss the stone, aim for the square! Try to get it right on the number!"
• "Remember, we hop on one foot for the single squares and use two feet for the double squares. Can you show me?"
• "What silly dance can you do while waiting for your turn? Let's make it a fun part of the game!"
• "Hopscotch is not just about jumping; it's also about having fun and being creative. What other games can we play like this?"