Every once in a while, a lesson evolves so much that calling it an “update” just doesn’t feel right. This is one of those moments.
Today, I’m reintroducing the Montessori PE Black Holes lesson plan—not because the original didn’t work, but because this new version is so different, so much more engaging, and so much more fun that it has essentially become a brand-new game.
A Look Back: The Original Black Holes Game
The original version of Black Holes was built around basketball. The core dynamic resembled a classic Bozo Buckets progression: teams attempted shots from increasing distances, with success tied closely to shooting accuracy and technique.
If your goal was to:
Practice basketball shooting mechanics
Reward repetition and consistency
Gradually increase the challenge through distance
…then it absolutely did the job.
But there was one problem.
Unless your students were already obsessed with basketball, the game didn’t quite have that “wow” factor—the kind that makes kids ask, “Are we playing this again next week?”
My School’s Sports Culture reinvented the game
At my school, we still joke (only half-jokingly) that we’re a basketball factory. It’s the sport students look forward to most, the one they talk about at recess, and the one that fills the gym with energy.
But something interesting has happened over the past few years.
Volleyball has really grown into its own.
We have had a tremendous growth in our volleyball participation, and playground volleyball is as common as seeing football or basketball played at recess.
Volleyball has drawn the students who don’t identify as “basketball kids” to a team sport they can play to represent our school. Some of the basketball kids also play because I harp on the value of cross-sport training. My go-to phrase to them is “you may not be able to dunk a basketball, but spiking on someone feels the same. And if you can block a spike, everyone in the gym goes crazy.”
The New Black Holes: Volleyball-Based and Student-Approved
The new version of Black Holes draws on most of the familiar rules of volleyball, making it instantly accessible and easy for students to understand.
But there’s one exciting twist.
That twist transforms the game from a standard volleyball experience into a unique experience that connects directly back to the science concept of black holes, while still feeling fast-paced, competitive, and collaborative.
The result?
High energy
Constant involvement
Real teamwork
And most importantly… kids absolutely loved it
Even the non-volleyball players, which is the true test of a PE lesson.
Less Equipment, More Flexibility
Another major improvement?
Equipment.
The old version required multiple basketball hoops, which limited where and how the game could be played.
The new version requires very little equipment, making it:
Easier to set up
Easier to adapt to different gym or outdoor spaces
More realistic for schools with limited resources
This flexibility also makes it much easier to modify the game for different age groups and skill levels, staying true to Montessori principles while meeting students where they are.
Montessori at Its Core—Powerful in Any PE Setting
What hasn’t changed is the lesson's heart.
With this new version, you can still:
Introduce the concept of black holes through concrete, embodied experience
Connect physical movement to abstract scientific ideas, supporting Montessori principles of learning through action
Encourage observation, strategy, self-regulation, and teamwork
One of the strongest features of this redesigned lesson is its versatility. While it aligns naturally with Montessori philosophy, it also fits seamlessly into traditional PE programs.
The game can be played:
Indoors or outdoors
With small groups or large classes
With younger or older students
At a wide range of skill levels, using simple rules and space modifications
This makes Black Holes ideal for almost any school setting, schedule, or student population.
Personally, I’m much happier with this version.
And I have a feeling your students will be too.
Free Download 🎉
Because this update is such a dramatic shift from the original lesson, I’m making it a free download.
👉 Please click the image below to visit the individual lesson store and download the Black Holes Montessori PE Lesson Plan at no cost.
Try it out, watch your students light up, and enjoy seeing science come alive through movement.
Happy New Year!
