K-4Movement Skills10-15 min
Bean Bag Toss Challenge
Students practice tossing and catching a bean bag with increasing challenge by following the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oKgIK88GKy0 First they toss the bean bag up and catch it with their hands 5 times in a row. Next they toss it up and catch it on their back 5 times successfully. Great hand-eye coordination, body awareness, and partner cooperation activity that keeps everyone moving and challenged!
Created by Miller
Equipment
Equipment: 1 bean bag per student
Character Focus
Perseverance & Encouragement
“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
How to Play
- 1Place beanbag on foot, lift and catch (Then switch and do the other foot)
- 2Toss beanbag behind your back and catch (Then switch and use the other hand)
- 3Place beanbag between your feet, jump and catch
- 4Make the beanbag go around your body really fast
- 5Toss the beanbag and catch it on your shirt
- 6Place beanbag on your elbow, drop your arm and catch (Then switch and use the other arm)
- 7Toss the beanbag and catch it on your back
TEKS Alignment
- K.1A / 1.1A / 2.1A / 3.1A / 4.1A – Demonstrate mature form in manipulative skills (tossing and catching)
- K.5A / 1.5A / 2.5A / 3.5A / 4.5A – Demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior while working with others
- 2.7A / 3.7A / 4.7A – Apply movement concepts while participating in physical activities
Cross-Curricular: Perseverance & Encouragement “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”
5E Lesson Plan
engage
🔥 Engage (2 min) Gather students with a bean bag each. Say: “We’re going to challenge ourselves with our bean bags! First goal: toss it up and catch it with your hands 5 times in a row. When you can do that, the next challenge is to toss it up and catch it on your back 5 times. When you finish both, find a partner who is also done and try the same challenges together. Ready to level up?” Quick demo of a soft upward toss + hand catch, then a gentle toss + flat-back catch.
explore
🔍 Explore (8–12 min) Each student finds personal space with one bean bag. Level 1: Toss the bean bag up and catch it with the hands. Count to 5 successful catches in a row. Level 2: Toss the bean bag up and catch it on the flat part of the back (lean slightly forward or arch the back). Count to 5 successful catches. Once both levels are completed, the student raises a hand or gives a thumbs-up and looks for another student who is also finished. Partner Challenge: Partners take turns or work side-by-side repeating the same sequence (5 hand catches, then 5 back catches). Encourage students who finish early to help others or try a harder variation (one-hand toss, higher toss, etc.).
explain
📖 Explain (2 min) Freeze the class. Ask: What helped you catch the bean bag on your back? (flat back, soft toss, eyes tracking) How did you encourage your partner? Why is it important to keep trying even when you miss? Reinforce: “We toss softly, we keep our backs flat, and we cheer each other on.”
elaborate
🚀 Elaborate (2–3 min) Challenge options (choose 1–2): One-hand toss and catch only. Clap once (or twice) before catching with hands. Partner stands farther apart for the hand-catch portion. After partner success, try tossing the bean bag to each other and catching on the back (advanced). Younger students may reduce the number to 3 successful catches.
evaluate
✅ Evaluate Observe: Are students using controlled tosses? Are they successfully catching on the back with a flat surface? Are they finding partners and encouraging one another? Is the progression clear (hands → back → partner)? Quick verbal check or thumbs-up: “Who completed both solo challenges and found a partner?”
Grade Modifications
K
K–1 Reduce to 3 successful catches for each level. Teacher or helper models the back catch frequently. Allow catching against the wall or with a partner spotting if needed. More time on the hand-catch portion.
1st
K–1 Reduce to 3 successful catches for each level. Teacher or helper models the back catch frequently. Allow catching against the wall or with a partner spotting if needed. More time on the hand-catch portion.
2nd
2nd–3rd Standard 5-catch goal. Emphasize “soft hands” and “flat back.” Partner work begins as soon as both students finish.
3rd
2nd–3rd Standard 5-catch goal. Emphasize “soft hands” and “flat back.” Partner work begins as soon as both students finish.
4th
4th Require 5 in a row without dropping. Add variations (non-dominant hand, clap before catch, higher toss). Partners can create their own final challenge together.