PE: Grades 2-5

This week, the weather has been AMAZING - so we did half mile/mile run pre-testing with grades 2-5!  Students did a fabulous job overall!  Before each class, we go over outside rules and specific information about half and mile run testing.  

Outside Rules: 
1.  Keep moving quickly:  speed walk, jog, or run the whole way
2.  Stay on the sidewalk
3.  Hands and body to yourself
4.  Listen for the whistle/megaphone

Half/Mile Testing: 
1.  6 laps = 1 mile, 3 laps = 1/2 mile
2.  Single file walk/jog/run (no side by side), even if your test is done.  This is to allow students to pass on the left.  This is a pre or post test, not a social time.  Blocking the sidewalk with large groups or students, or even two or three walking and talking, is discouraging to others still testing - and makes it difficult to pass.
3.  Trying YOUR BEST is something to be proud of - no matter if that is 17 minutes or 7 minutes.  If you try YOUR BEST, I am proud of you.
4.  Speed walk breaks are okay.  I frequently run for exercise in the mornings before school, and my running partner and I take walk breaks during our sessions.  I emphasize with students that they should be moving quickly, not taking a leisurely stroll -- even if needing a walk break.
5.  Bubble sheets:  Our tracking system for laps -- students hold a half or quarter slip of paper while they run.  Each time they complete a lap, I put a mark in the appropriate "bubble" on the sheet.  On their last lap, I record their time.  When they finish, I keep their bubble sheet and they continue walking/jogging/running to cool down while everyone finishes the pre or post test.  Below is a student's completed bubble sheet, which I then use to record scores.

Second graders' bubble sheets only have three bubbles, as they are completing a half mile at this point in the school year.

Warm-Ups are COOL!! Mile/Half Mile Run, and Builders/Dozers

Warm Ups are COOL! 
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).