Constructing The Basketball Court- The Lane

The problem that I presented to my small group of 5th grade students is how to line the basketball court. In this case we are making the lane. First we talked about diagramming the area. We talked about the standard measurements of the key as it pertains to the junior level. We found these measurements on line. It gave us the dimensions in diagram form. We then talked about what tools we would need. We said we would need the tape measure, string line, chalk, square and paint.
While we were constrtucting the lane we also made the circle. We used our string line with chalk attached. It was here we were able to identify the center, measure the diameter and discuss the radius. After we chalked out the circle and lane we painted.
Some problems that I am running into is the simple place of where to start. The students need to learn where would be the logical place to start. We need to start with what is given or presented. We need to start with a logical order.

This past week I worked with a group that measured, marked and painted a lane. I brought that same group out the next day and they couldn’t tell me where to start. Maybe all we need is more practice.

Our basketball skills lesson was on the lane. We talked about the rule of 3 seconds in the lane. We talked about the offensive strategy of moving in and out the lane. We talked about the rule concerning moving into the lane on a free throw. We talked about the defensive strategy regarding the defense wanting to control the court from the inside/out. During our small sided games the defense had to stay inside the lane.