In all classes, we've been working on different types of warm-up (and cool-down) activities. Some favorites include:
Y5, K, 1, & 2:
- Dots. Poly spot dots are spread inside the three center circles. Students move, using the announced locomotor skill (gallop, skip, sideways slide-step, jog/run) around the edges of the gym. When the music stops, they put their feet on a dot and listen for what to do next! This warm-up works on spatial awareness, and following directions (stop, start, freeze).
- Walk the box/walk the lines. Walking "the box" (the black line around the edges of the gym) or "the lines" (any/all lines in the gym) helps younger students identify important marks in the gym (spatial awareness). This warm-up also works on following directions, especially start and stop directions.
- 1&2: Everybody's It Tag. This is a great cool-down game. Walking only, stay inside the box. Just like the name of the game, everybody is IT! Round 1: Students tagged by anyone sit down, criss cross applesauce, hands in lap. They're out until we start another round. For now, students only play round 1. Later in the year, they'll play rounds 2 and 3. Round 2: When out, you can tag others still in the game. You stay out, but they're out, too, if you tag them. Round 3: When out, you can tag others still in the game. You get back into the game if you tag another participant still walking.
3-5:
- Around the circles. Students move around the center circles, listening for which locomotor skill to do (gallop, skip, sideways slide-step, jog/run). We do this for one song, and then stretches, then our activity.
- Rock Paper Scissors (RPS) - I Won, We Run. Students play RPS over the center line against another person. The winner runs and touches the black endline with their foot once. The person who loses runs and touches the black endline with their foot TWICE. When done with their running, students play against someone else - whoever is available at the center line. No partners, no waiting for anyone in particular at the line. :) Lots of movement!
- Whip, Nae Nae. There is a cardio workout for elementary PE classes to this popular song, and we tried it! We used the YouTube video to follow along. Most students enjoyed it - many students asked, "Can we do it again, right now?" Ask your 3rd, 4th, or 5th grade student about this one!
 |
| Fourth graders warming up with the Whip, Nae Nae workout |
Other Activities:
Fitness Laps: In grades 3-5, we'll do a fall Mile Run PRE-test sometime in the next month. Classes this week will (weather permitting) go outside for an activity called Fitness Laps. Students go around the sidewalk track, after each lap stopping to do an exercise. Exercises include jumping jacks, ski jumps, scissor jumps, hops, wall sits, and stretches. Second graders also participate in Fitness Laps at this point in the school year to prepare for a half mile PRE-test.
Builders/Bulldozers: Y5-2 students have also been enjoying an activity called Builders and Bulldozers. Cones are scattered all over the playing area, some tipped over, some set up. Students have a job during the game - builders or bulldozers. Builders use their hands to set up the cones. Bulldozers use their hands to tip the cones over. Students have a chance to do both jobs usually several times during each game, and we change the locomotor skill we use to move around the playing area. This game works on following directions, spatial awareness/personal space, staying in control, locomotor skills, and start/stop signals.
 |
| Young Fives enjoying Builders and Bulldozers |
Ship to Shore: Ship to shore is a basic game that helps with directions and spatial-movement awareness. Color coded cones are placed on each endline, and the center line of the gym. One endline is the Ship, the other endline the Shore, and the center line is the Bridge. Students listen for directions for where to move and how to move. For example, the direction given might be: "Girls, skip to the Ship." Then, "Boys, gallop to the Shore." etc. This activity also helps me assess locomotor skills (gallop, skip, sideways slide-step, hop, jump, leap, walk, run).
