Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Darts

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

This stage of the lesson plan is crucial for establishing a solid foundation of knowledge about the sport of darts. By clearly defining the objectives, students will have a precise understanding of what is expected of them to learn and apply during the lesson. This not only guides the teaching-learning process but also helps to motivate students by providing an overview of how diverse and structured the sport is.

Main Objectives:

1. Recognize and describe the characteristics of the precision sport of darts, including its origin, equipment used, and general rules.

2. Identify the main championships and modalities of darts, exploring how these variations can influence the techniques and strategies of the game.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage students' curiosity and interest in the study of less conventional sports, promoting a broader view of the sports world.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The introduction serves to engage students and connect the content studied at home with practical and theoretical application in class. The problem situations encourage students to think critically about the sport of darts and its complexities, preparing them for a more in-depth discussion during the lesson. The contextualization helps to understand the relevance of studying darts, showing that it is more than just a simple bar game, but rather a sport with history, curiosities, and renowned professionals.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are watching a darts tournament and notice that one of the players does a little dance before throwing the dart. Why do you think he does that? How could this action influence his performance in the game?

2. You have a group of friends, and you decide to organize a small darts tournament at home. Everyone is using darts of different weights and sizes. Discuss how these variations can affect the accuracy and outcome of the game.

Contextualization

Darts are not just a bar pastime. They have a long history dating back to at least the 15th century and are played professionally all over the world. The sport of darts, also known as 'dart throwing', requires physical and mental skills, such as concentration and precision. Additionally, trivia such as the famous darts player Phil Taylor, who is compared to great names in more traditional sports, shows how this sport can be exciting and competitive.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development phase is designed for students to apply and deepen the knowledge acquired about the sport of darts in a practical and interactive way. By participating in the proposed activities, students will have the opportunity to explore the sport from different perspectives, whether mathematical, historical, or competitive. This not only reinforces theoretical concepts but also develops teamwork, critical thinking, and creativity skills. Each activity is structured to be fun and educational, ensuring that students are engaged and learning effectively.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Mathematical Darts

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply mathematical concepts of average and precision through the sport of darts.

- Description: In this activity, students will use darts to explore concepts of mathematics and precision. A large target will be created on the gym floor with different numbered zones. Each zone will have a value, and students will have to calculate the average of the points obtained in a series of throws.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Explain the rules of the game, including how each zone of the target on the floor corresponds to a different score.

• Each group will have 10 darts to throw.

• After the throws, each group will calculate the average of the points obtained.

• The group that reaches the highest average, following the rules and accurately calculating, will be the winner.

Activity 2 - Historical Darts

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop research and presentation skills, and understand the evolution of darts as a sport.

- Description: Students will research the history of the sport of darts and then create a mural in the classroom that represents important milestones, curiosities, and the evolution of the sport over time.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of up to 5 students.

• Provide resources such as books, online articles, and videos for researching the history of darts.

• Each group should focus on a specific period of history, like the beginning in the 15th century or the popularization in different countries.

• After the research, groups will create a section of the mural, sharing what they learned with the class.

• At the end, the complete mural will serve as an interactive timeline of the history of darts.

Activity 3 - Darts Championship

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Promote understanding of the rules and strategies of the sport of darts, and develop competition and cooperation skills.

- Description: Organize a darts championship in the classroom where students will compete individually. Each round will have different rules, such as double or triple points, or even throwing with blindfolds.

- Instructions:

• Prepare a safe space for the competition, with a large target fixed to a wall.

• Each student will have 5 darts per round.

• Explain the rules for each round before the championship begins.

• Keep a visible score sheet for everyone, updating it after each round.

• At the end, award the top three finishers to encourage competitive spirit and participation.

Feedback

Duration: (10 - 15 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to consolidate student learning, allowing them to articulate the theoretical knowledge with the experienced practice. Through group discussion, students can reflect on the strategies adopted, challenges faced, and lessons learned, promoting a deeper understanding of the sport of darts and its applications. Furthermore, this stage aims to develop communication and argumentation skills, essential for collaborative learning.

Group Discussion

To start the group discussion, it is suggested that the teacher brings all the students together and introduces the importance of sharing the experiences lived during the activities. One can start with a brief recap of the activities conducted and the results obtained. Then, the teacher can ask each group to share a discovery or challenge they faced and how they managed to overcome it. It is essential that each student has the opportunity to speak and that the teacher encourages dialogue among the groups, fostering an environment of respect and mutual learning.

Key Questions

1. What were the main strategies your group used to improve accuracy in darts throws during the championship?

2. How did the variation in weight and size of the darts affect your group’s performance in the average calculation activity?

3. Which aspects of the history of darts did you find most surprising and why?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The purpose of this conclusion stage is to consolidate the knowledge acquired by students, ensuring that they can relate theoretical concepts with the practices carried out in class. This recap helps reinforce memory and understanding of the topics covered, as well as highlight the applicability of the sport of darts in everyday and academic situations. The conclusion also serves to emphasize the importance of active and practical learning, encouraging students to see the value of Physical Education in their overall education.

Summary

To conclude, the teacher should summarize and recap the main points covered during the lesson, emphasizing the history, rules, equipment, and techniques of the sport of darts. The discoveries made through practical activities, such as the average calculation and precision competition, which helped solidify the understanding of the sport, should also be reinforced.

Theory Connection

Today’s lesson was structured to effectively connect theory with practice. Activities such as 'Mathematical Darts' and 'Darts Championship' allowed students to apply mathematical and competitive concepts, while the research for 'Historical Darts' integrated theoretical knowledge about the origin and evolution of the sport.

Closing

Understanding the sport of darts goes beyond throwing darts at a target. It teaches valuable skills such as concentration, strategy, and precision, which are applicable in various areas of life. Additionally, studying darts provides a broader view of the diversity of sports, enriching the students' sports and cultural repertoire.