Learning experience 1, Activity 3: Throw the leaves Kurua ngā rau
Intended outcome(s)
The students could:
- identify and use safe practice and basic risk management in raupō (bulrush) and rito (centre shoot of a monocotyledonous plant, such as flax) throwing games (HPE 3 A3)
- play minor games using parts of plants to develop throwing, catching, and dodging skills (HPE 3 B3)
Suggested approach
Introduce the students to the raupō and rito throwing activities. Explain to the students that in days gone by, these activities were used to develop throwing, catching, and dodging skills.
Raupō
- In pairs, the students face each other and and after discussing what care and safety they will need to observe for the space provided, the students throw/toss their leaf to their partners.
- The partner watches where the raupō leaf goes and the way in which it flies.
- Once all the leaves have been thrown, the students go and get their respective leaf.
- The students repeat this activity, using the underhand toss, the overhand toss, the right hand, and the left hand. The partners can attempt to catch the leaf, remembering safety rules.
Rito
- In pairs, the students face each other and after discussing what care and safety they will need to observe for the space provided, the students toss the rito to their partners.
- Follow the same sequences as the raupō exercise. As the students improve with their tosses and catches, the space between them can be increased to further challenge them as they make their throws. Catching in this context is as important as the throw or toss.
In groups of four to six, the students design a game that uses raupō or rito to develop at least two of the skills of throwing, catching, and dodging and outline a set of rules that will allow the game to be played fairly as well as keep the participants safe. The students develop a safety action plan to review possible environmental, equipment, or people hazards that could affect the safety of participants and develop their rules to eliminate or reduce the risk of injury.
The students show and explain their games to the class, and the class participates in the games developed by their peers. After each game, the students can identify any changes or improvements that could be made to the game and/or the safety rules.