Unit Plan 18 (Grade 3 PE): Badminton/Balloon Rally

Focus: Develop beginning striking skills with implements, improve tracking of objects in flight, and build cooperative rallying habits through balloon and badminton lead-up activities.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Physical Education (Badminton Lead-Up • Balloon Rally • Striking, Tracking & Cooperation)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore badminton and balloon-rally activities as a beginner net-game experience that emphasizes control, patience, and teamwork. In this unit, students begin with balloon taps with hands, then move to short-handled rackets, so they can practice tracking a slow-moving object and striking it with gentle, controlled contact. They then apply those skills in Balloon Rally Over Line, and if available, progress to light birdie hits, where they learn to send an object upward and forward, recover into ready position, and help a partner keep a rally going. Throughout the unit, students focus on safe racket use, watching the object in the air, using the right amount of force, and cooperating rather than trying to overpower the rally.

Essential Questions

• How can I strike a balloon or birdie with better control?
• Why is it important to watch the object carefully while it is in the air?
• How does using the right amount of force help a rally last longer?
• What does good teamwork look like during a cooperative rally?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Strike a lightweight object with a short-handled racket using improving control and direction.
2. Use personal and general space effectively during partner rally activities.
3. Adjust effort and force to match balloon and birdie striking tasks.
4. Cooperate with a partner by taking turns, encouraging others, and helping the rally continue.
5. Show enjoyment and a positive attitude while trying new striking activities.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.3e – Striking with Implements Strike a lightweight object (balloon, foam ball, yarn ball) with hands or implements (paddles, short-handled rackets, foam bats) with developing accuracy and control.
  • Example: Students strike a ball off a tee into a designated field area or tap a balloon over a low net to a partner.
• PE:S2.3a – Space Awareness & Positioning Use knowledge of personal and general space to find open areas, avoid collisions, and position appropriately during games.
  • Example: In keep-away games, students move away from defenders to create open passing lanes.
• PE:S2.3c – Effort & Force to Match the Task Adjust speed, effort, and force (fast/slow, hard/soft) for successful performance in skills and games.
  • Example: Students throw softly to a nearby partner and with more force to a distant target in a throwing game.
• PE:S4.3b – Cooperation, Encouragement, and Teamwork Cooperate with partners and teams, share equipment, take turns, and encourage others.
  • Example: Students rotate through stations smoothly, give positive feedback to teammates, and help reset equipment.
• PE:S5.3a – Enjoyment and Positive Attitude Express enjoyment and a positive attitude toward participating in a variety of physical activities and games.
  • Example: Students state which activities they enjoyed and show enthusiasm by actively participating.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can tap a balloon or birdie with more control using my hand or racket.
• I can keep safe space while rallying with a partner.
• I can use softer or stronger force depending on the object and task.
• I can help my partner keep the rally going.
• I can show a positive attitude while practicing badminton lead-up skills.