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Watermelon Bowling

Lesson plan developed by Ms. Erika Geelhoed, BA Ed
Activity:  
Watermelon Bowling
Age Group:
Preschool
Watermelon Bowling
Watermelon Bowling
* Lesson plan objective and assessment can be adapted to use this activity with school-age children.
Objectives:  
  • Student will develop gross motor skills
CDA Competency Standard:   
II.4.1a
  • Activities, materials and equipment encourage children of varying abilities to develop their large muscles
a) Gross motor skills are encouraged through developmentally appropriate materials, equipment and indoor/outdoor activities
Materials: 
  • Round watermelon
  • 6 empty water bottles
  • hot pink paint
  • black marker
Procedure: 
Prepare for activity by making the pins. Put about a tablespoon of hot pink paint into the bottle. Close the lid and shake the bottle to coat the inside. Use the black marker to draw seeds on the outside. Repeat the process for each of the bottles and set up into a triangle. Encourage students to use the watermelon as a bowling ball to knock down the pins. 
Assessment: 
  • Observe and record the student’s gross motor skills. How did they go about rolling the melon? Did they have any unique techniques? 
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Large Motor Skills

There are many different materials and activities that can be utilized to help young children develop large motor skills. As you begin to develop activities for your children, keep in mind that young children of the same chronological age often function on many different developmental levels. As the teacher, you need to observe each child carefully to see how you can adapt the activity to meet his/her individual needs. 


The most important thing to remember is that children develop large motor skills just like every other  skill – at their own rate and their own pace. Your responsibility is simply to provide them with a variety of materials that promote development in this area through daily activities.
Play a simple game of Simon Says with the children in your group. Give the children directions for motions to do that develop large motor skills. For instance, “Simon says run in place,” or “Simon says hop on one foot.” As the children attempt each motion, observe to determine their level of development. For instance, some may be able to hop on one foot while others may not. This simple game (which children love) provides a great opportunity for you to observe each child’s level of large motor skill development.