JugglinJugglinggGradesGrades

33rdrd, 4, 4thth & 5 & 5thth

Juggling This unit plan is designed to teach

elementary aged students how to juggle. Juggling is an art form that is challenging

in the beginning, but turns into a lifetime skill.

Juggling is rhythmic, so why not turn on the music! In fact you will learn faster if you put on some music with a good solid beat. Good luck and have fun!!!!

Major benefits include Major benefits include self discipline, eye-self discipline, eye-hand coordination, self hand coordination, self esteem, school spirit esteem, school spirit and cardiovascular and cardiovascular wellness.wellness.

This program This program integrates all three integrates all three learning styles – learning styles – auditory, visual and auditory, visual and kinesthetic.kinesthetic.

Research has shown Research has shown that there is a direct that there is a direct relationship between relationship between the hand-eye the hand-eye coordination learned coordination learned through juggling and through juggling and the ability to read the ability to read and write.and write.

Research has now Research has now shown that learning shown that learning to juggle can to juggle can improve both improve both handwriting and handwriting and reading skills.reading skills.

The 4 C’s can help the 3 The 4 C’s can help the 3 R’s.R’s.

Juggling , in addition to enhancing self-esteem Juggling , in addition to enhancing self-esteem and improving reading and writing skills, helps and improving reading and writing skills, helps develop the following:develop the following:

ConcentrationConcentration – Staying on task is vital to – Staying on task is vital to learning tolearning to

juggle. juggle. CoordinationCoordination – Every practice session further – Every practice session further

refines refines skills.skills. CommitmenCommitmentt – With daily improvement practice is – With daily improvement practice is fun.fun. CooperationCooperation – Partner juggling develops patience – Partner juggling develops patience

and and caring.caring.

Column Juggling With Column Juggling With One ScarfOne Scarf

Hold scarves in the Hold scarves in the middle before tossing middle before tossing them into the air. The them into the air. The Jellyfish position.Jellyfish position.

Toss the scarves with the Toss the scarves with the back of the hand pointing back of the hand pointing toward the ceiling.toward the ceiling.

Catch the scarves using a Catch the scarves using a clawing movement. It is clawing movement. It is like a cat trying to catch like a cat trying to catch a rolling ball with its a rolling ball with its front paws.front paws.

Keep eyes focused at the Keep eyes focused at the peek of the toss.peek of the toss.

Circle Juggling With One Circle Juggling With One ScarfScarf

Remember to use large circle motions and to release your scarf at the very top of your circle.

Column Juggling With 2 Column Juggling With 2 ScarvesScarves

With 2 column juggling use 2 different colored scarves and try to keep your columns straight up and down. Remember to focus your eyes at the top of your throws.

Cascade Juggling With 3 Cascade Juggling With 3 ScarvesScarves

Holding 3 Scarves: Holding 3 Scarves: Make a Jellyfish with the first Make a Jellyfish with the first

scarf. Place it in your hand and scarf. Place it in your hand and wrap your little finger and ring wrap your little finger and ring finger around the scarf. Do not finger around the scarf. Do not stick the scarf in between stick the scarf in between fingers. Grab the second scarf, fingers. Grab the second scarf, in Jellyfish position , with thumb, in Jellyfish position , with thumb, index, and middle finger of the index, and middle finger of the same hand. Grab the third scarf same hand. Grab the third scarf – Jellyfish position with the other – Jellyfish position with the other hand. Place it between your hand. Place it between your thumb and middle finger. thumb and middle finger.

Always throw the scarf that is Always throw the scarf that is held by the thumb, index, and held by the thumb, index, and middle finger in the hand that middle finger in the hand that has two scarves. Throw and has two scarves. Throw and release it on the opposite side.release it on the opposite side.

Cues: Alternate scarves by Cues: Alternate scarves by throw, throw, catch-throw, throw, throw, catch-throw, catch-throw, catch-throw, etc… catch-throw, catch-throw, etc…

Reverse Cascade Juggling Reverse Cascade Juggling With Three ScarvesWith Three Scarves

Begin with throwing on scarf Begin with throwing on scarf in a figure 8, but this time it in a figure 8, but this time it is an overhand throw which is an overhand throw which goes straight down the goes straight down the center.center.

Next begin with one scarf in Next begin with one scarf in each hand. Throw on scarf each hand. Throw on scarf overhand. When it begins to overhand. When it begins to come down the center, throw come down the center, throw the second with a big the second with a big overhand movement. Catch overhand movement. Catch the first, catch the second.the first, catch the second.

Lastly, just imagine you have Lastly, just imagine you have a bucket in front of you at a bucket in front of you at eye level, start with the hand eye level, start with the hand that has two, and drop them that has two, and drop them in the bucket, one by one.in the bucket, one by one.

Column Juggling With 4 Column Juggling With 4 ScarvesScarves

If you use 2 scarves of one color and 2 scarves of a different color it will make it easier for you to see your columns as you juggle.

Partner Juggling With 4 & 6 Partner Juggling With 4 & 6 ScarvesScarves

Student with 4 scarves must start first!

Doesn’t matter which student starts but you may find it easier if each student uses 2 of the same colored scarves.

Have Fun Juggling and Have Fun Juggling and Remember Don’t Forget Remember Don’t Forget

The Music !!!The Music !!!