Learning Safari: A Whole New Ball Game

Recommended for Grades: Preschool, K
Take a look at one of baseball’s heroes–Jackie Robinson! Join us as we learn about his amazing life and explore the sights, textures, and even smells of the game for ourselves. Play Ball!

Iowa Core |   Pre-visit Materials |   Vocabulary |   Post-visit Activity |   Resources

Iowa Core Essential Concepts

  • Reading: Read for a variety of purposes and across content areas.
  • Reading: Use a variety of strategies and skills to comprehend and interpret fiction.
  • Reading: Use a variety of strategies to develop and expand reading vocabulary.
  • Listening: Listen for information and understanding
  • Listening: Listen for interpretation, analysis, and evaluation
  • Behavioral Sciences: Understand all people have individual traits.
  • Behavioral Sciences: Understand the relationship of the individual to the components of society and culture
  • Geography: Understand how geographic and human characteristics create culture and define regions
  • History: Understand individuals and groups within a society my promote change of the status quo

Pre-visit Materials.

  • Which sport? Show students a variety of athletic equipment and ask them which sport is played using each piece. Students can also try it for themselves, or draw a picture of it.
  • What does “fair” mean? Describe some common scenarios in which students can tell you if what happened is fair or not. Examples: Gavin took all of the blocks and won’t let Liam play with them. Is this fair or unfair? Bella always shares her pop tarts with Allyson, but won’t give them to anyone else. Is this fair or unfair?

Vocabulary

  • Fair
  • Baseball
  • Unfair
  • Diamond
  • Equality
  • Pitch
  • Mitt
  • Discrimination

Post-visit Activities

  • Play a game of baseball with your students. Use your hands to hit the ball and let them catch it or throw it back to you.
  • Make baseball cards by coloring a picture on an index card.
  • Re –read the book shown in the workshop. Ask students what they remember.
  • On large chart paper, write a letter about your trip to the parents. Post it on the door to the classroom.

Suggested Resources

Books
Teammates
White Socks Only
Our Children Can Soar

Internet
Baseball Activities: http://www.perpetualpreschool.com/preschool_themes/baseball/theme.htm
Baseball Activities: http://www.kidsparkz.com/baseball.html