The Short Throw

Ages 12-15

Shana's beanbag lands short of the target.

It lies across a nearer chalk line. She steps over that line to pick it up, then carries it back to the far one.

Her second throw goes wide.

Two classmates wait beside the target.

Shana collects the beanbag. At the nearer line, she stops.

"I'm trying here."

She throws from there. The beanbag catches the rim and falls outside.

A classmate rolls it back.

Shana puts her shoe behind the chalk. She holds the beanbag at her side and throws again.

It lands inside.

She retrieves it and comes back to the same line.

Another throw. This one lands inside, too.

The far line is still several steps behind her. Shana looks toward it.

She moves back one step.

She throws. The beanbag falls against the rim and drops outside.

She gets it without moving the target.

A classmate points to the far line.

"From there now?"

Shana returns to her one-step place.

"Here."

Her next throw reaches the target. One corner hangs over the rim, but the rest stays inside.

Shana leaves it there while her classmate takes a turn.

Behind the nearer chalk line, her shoeprint marks one small step in the dust.