This week, each class will begin with a five minute cardiovascular warm-up. A timer will be projected on the wall, with a buzzer sound at the conclusion of the five minutes. For the next couple of weeks, we'll gradually increase the warm-up time to prepare for the mile run (grades 3-5 FitnessGram test, grade 2 practice), half mile run/walk (Young Fives, K, and 1st grade), AND the Haisley Walk-a-Thon!!
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| This is what our "scoreboard" looks like. Using a projector, it displays on the wall for all to see during our warm-up. This helps students know exactly how much time is left in the warm-up activity. |
Hungry Hippos is the name of the game for this week for 1st through 5th grade. This was entirely inspired by social network posts (Pinterest/Facebook) from other PE teachers. Hungry Hungry Hippos was one of my favorite childhood games to play. Imagine this game in the gymnasium, and the students are the "hippos". Teams work together to send out a teammate on a scooter with a small plastic container. On the scooter, the student must use the plastic container to trap balls from the floor to slide them back to their team's area. The team with the most balls in their corner wins that round.
Update 4/16: K and Young Fives participate in a modified version of this game, reinforcing teamwork, cooperation, scooter safety, and space awareness. Check out the blog post about their version here.
****UPDATE 4/16: We'll have to save our Sewer teamwork activity (below) for another time...Hippos definitely needed all of our class time this week!!
Teamwork
This week, if time allows, students will also participate in a teamwork activity called The Sewer. This activity also includes spatial awareness, communication, problem solving, and strategy.
Students are divided into groups of four. Each group has three cones and one hula hoop. Cones are set in a triangular pattern, with the hoop balanced on top. This makes the group's sewer top. Groups have different challenges to accomplish together. These include:
1. Students begin outside the sewer. One at a time, they must enter the sewer and stay inside until all student are inside.
2. All students are inside. They must now have all students leave the sewer one at a time.
3. Students must go under the sewer top and stand inside the hoop one at a time.
4. Students are in the hoop and now crawl under the hoop, one at a time, until they're all out.
