Unit Plan 19 (Grade 4 PE): Wiffle Ball Striking & Fielding Skills

Focus: Develop striking mechanics, improve fielding footwork and throwing accuracy, and help students make smarter decisions during short-sided wiffle ball play.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Physical Education (Striking & Fielding • Throwing Accuracy • Game Skills)

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

I. Introduction

Students build wiffle ball skills by learning how striking, fielding, and throwing work together during game play. In this unit, students begin with swing mechanics that emphasize the contact point, balanced stance, and controlled follow-through, along with throwing warm-ups to partners so they can prepare for fielding and base-play situations. They then rotate through striking and fielding stations such as tee hits, grounders to infielders, and throws to bases before applying those skills in short-sided scrimmages. Throughout the unit, students focus on making solid contact, moving feet into good fielding position, choosing smart throws, and following all striking and fielding safety rules.

Essential Questions

• How can I make better contact when I swing a bat?
• What helps a fielder move into the best spot to field a ground ball?
• How can I choose the right amount of force for different throws and hits?
• Why do safety rules and smart decisions matter in striking and fielding games?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Throw and catch with improving accuracy during partner work and fielding situations.
2. Strike a stationary or gently placed wiffle ball with better control of direction and force.
3. Combine wiffle ball skills in sequence, such as field → throw → cover or swing → run → stop at base.
4. Adjust effort, force, and timing to match different throwing and striking tasks.
5. Follow safety rules and equipment procedures consistently during stations and scrimmages.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.4c – Throwing & Catching with Accuracy Throw (overhand and underhand) and catch objects with accuracy and consistency while both partners or players are moving.
  • Example: Students complete passing patterns in small-sided games, leading a moving teammate with an accurate throw.
• PE:S1.4e – Striking with Implements in Games Strike a moving or stationary object with a short- or long-handled implement (paddle, racket, bat, stick) with control of direction and force.
  • Example: Students strike a pitched or tossed ball in wiffle ball, or pass a ball along the floor with a hockey stick to a target or teammate.
• PE:S1.4f – Combining Skills in Game Sequences Combine multiple skills (dribble, pass, catch, shoot, strike, run, dodge) in game-like sequences with basic fluidity.
  • Example: In handball lead-up games, students catch a pass, take a few steps to open space, and then pass or shoot toward a goal.
• PE:S2.4c – Adjusting Effort, Force, and Timing Adjust speed, force, and timing of movements and skills to match the demands of the task (distance, target size, defender pressure).
  • Example: Students throw softly to a nearby teammate and more forcefully to a distant target, or time their jump to catch a thrown ball at its peak.
• PE:S4.4a – Consistent Rule-Following & Safety Consistently follow game rules, class procedures, and equipment safety guidelines without frequent reminders.
  • Example: Students wait for the teacher’s signal to begin, respect boundaries, and use sticks, balls, and scooters safely.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can throw and catch with better control during partner work and games.
• I can swing a bat with better balance and make contact closer to the right spot.
• I can move my feet to field a ground ball instead of reaching only with my hands.
• I can choose when to throw softly, firmly, or quickly depending on the play.
• I can follow batting and fielding safety rules without many reminders.