"If a husband states his opinion in
the forest and his wife is not there
to hear him, is he still wrong?"

Kent Oldknow, American director

1 Why

We didn’t have tennis in my high school and I always wondered what it would be like to play. Tennis is interesting to me on many levels. First of all, it is good exercise. Second, it is interesting for me to watch on television now, but would be even more entertaining if I understood the rules of the game.

2 Orientation

I have watched tennis many times on television. Also, there are tennis courts at the school down the street and I have stopped sometimes to watch them play.

3 Prerequisites

Includes eye-hand coordination, the ability to read and interpret rules, and reasonable physical stamina.

I want to know enough about playing to keep up with Bobby and watch tennis matches with an appreciation for the skill and strategy used.

5 Performance Criteria

I can play a game well enough that I can enjoy competition with another player, rather than focusing only upon the skills I’m working to develop.

6 Vocabulary

Terms to know: set, game, volley, baseline, love, advantage, serve, deuce, fault, forehand, backhand

7 Information

There are many sources of information. There are books and videos o tennis. There are web sites that contain lists of terms and go over the rules. Tennis classes are available.

8 Plan

I will begin by visiting some web sites about tennis terms and rules and take notes. Then, I’ll watch a tennis match on ESPN and write down any terms I don’t understand. I’ll return to do more research and improve my notes. Then, I’ll go to the tennis courts and find a place where I can practice hitting the ball. Next, I’ll ask my son to come and practice serving and returning with me. If I’m having problems, I’ll sign up for a class.

9 Models

Study videos of pros; videotape myself and review with a tennis teacher; use games that will help me keep my eye on the ball.

10 Thinking Critically