Noodle Activities


 

Noodle Activities
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment: Several Pool Noodles (long and short) for each student Grade: K-3
Purpose of Event: Balance, Chasing, Fleeing, Teamwork
Time: 18-25 minutes

Organization:
  Give each student their own pool noodle. 
Activities:

Noodle circles—-
Clap Game
      depending on grade, start with 2 or 3 (k,1,2)
      hold together with both hands, ends facing out
      throw in the air, clap, and catch only with your hands
      2 times in a row = getting one more from bucket
      must be verified by the partner
Walking Balance Game
      depending on grade, start with 2 or 3 (k,1,2)
      have them balance noodles on a body part and walk around
      top of head, back of hand, chicken wing elbow, etc
 
Resting Balance Game
      in a group of 2 or 3, one person lays flat on the back
      others go to bin one at a time and grab one circle
      carefully place the noodle on the resting person’s forehead wtih only one hand
      once it’s on, can’t touch it or move it
      repeat until it falls
 
Skyscraper
      same as above, but place noodles on the floor instead
Noodle Sticks—
Leaning Tower
      sticks that have ends that are angled 
      face partner, each has a stick, extend sticks to touch ends
      hold it with your right index finger next to your right leg (upright)
      partners say, ready to go, then release their noodles to run forward to catch their partner’s stick before it hits the floor
Ankle Biter
      same sticks as above
      face partner, each has a stick, extend sticks to touch ends
      that is your invisible circumference circle
      move about that circle trying to hit your partner’s ankles or shoes
 
Hornet Tag
      same sticks
      throw 4 or 5 sticks on the floor
      everyone vs. everyone, use the entire gym
      whoever wants to be a hornet can pick up a stinger(stick)
            off the gym floor.
      They chase and tag someone from the knee down, only
      after success, they drop their stinger and run away
      a person who got stung cannot pick the stinger that stung them
      they do whatever exercise you list for being stung, then resume the game
      you can pick up a different stinger after using one, but NO ONE has to pick up a stinger to become a hornet…it is optional

Concerns:

Be safe! Do not run into one another. 

This idea is from Jon Peterson, PE Teacher Robert Frost Elementary

 

 

Sneak Away


 

Sneak Away
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment: 1 hockey stick per player, 20+ hockey pucks/yarn balls, & 16 cones (to mark goals in the corners of the gym).  Grade: 3-6
Purpose of Event: Striking with a long-handled implement/hockey lead-up skills
Time: 18-25 minutes

Organization:
  Divide the students into 4 equal teams. Put them in the four corners of the gym. I usually color-coordinate the goals with the player’s team color. 
Description:  Divide the class into four or more groups. Each group starts with five pucks/yarn balls by their goal. On the signal, all players run to another team’s goal, take a puck/yarnball, and stick handle It back to their own goal. There is NO defense in this game. At the end of the game, teams score one point for each puck/yarnballs in their goal. Variations: Try dispersing rather than collecting pucks. Try using a defensive player from each team.

Concerns:

Be safe while using the hockey sticks. Especially when the students are moving. Make sure students are not raising the hockey sticks above their heads. The blade must be on the floor unless they attempt to strike a puck/yarn ball. 

This idea is from: I have seen this played/called many different ways from various resources. 

 


 

GYM Setup

Rescue Football

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Rescue Football
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment: Several Footballs, Mats, and Pinnies. Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: Overhand Throwing (football), Teamwork, and Catching
Time: 20-25 minutes

Organization:  Divide the playing area in half, place three blue mats on each half of the gym, divide the students into two teams, spread the footballs evenly around the playing area.
Description:  Start with the teams on their own half of the playing area, select one player to stay on their side, this is the QB, the rest of the players go over and stand on the blue mats; they are the receivers.  The QB throws the footballs from his team’s side of the gym to his teammates on the blue mats; if they catch a football, they can go to their side of the gym and become QB’s.  If a QB’s pass is intercepted, they must return to the blue mats and again receive.  Keep playing until one team has everyone either as a QB or a receiver; if your team is all QB’s, you win; if your team is all receivers, you lose.
Concerns: Being safe while throwing the footballs (not at face). Make sure students are staying in their order. For the older kids: No cheating!!!! 
This idea is from: PE staff within Sioux Falls School District 

 


 

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Pin-Galore Hockey


Pin-Galore Hockey
 

State Standard: 1, & 3

Equipment:  20 Plastic pins, Several gator-skin balls, Hockey Sticks (enough for two teams), and Poly Spots
Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: Using Long-Handled Implements while striking a Ball. 
Time: 15-20 minutes
Organizations:
Place 10 foam pins on each side of the gym on Poly Spots. Put several poly spots down the middle of the gym to separate into two halves. 
Description:
This is a modification to the regular game of floor hockey.  Instead of the typical scoring (puck into a hockey net), players will try to knock over the other team’s pins while striking a gator-skin ball with their hockey stick! If a player strikes the ball and it knocks down a pin from the other team their team scores a point (I use a digital scoreboard). Once the pin is down it stays down!!!!!  Once one team has knocked all the other teams pins down their team wins. Goalies are optional. If I do use a goal they must be in-between the pins to protect. 

Rules:
No high sticking. Both hands must be on the hockey stick. If a student breaks the rules they go to the penalty box (area where students have to do an exercise to get back in the game). 

Concerns: Be cautious when students are using their hockey sticks!!! 
This idea is from: Idea modified from physedgames.com

 

Warm-up Activities


 Warm-up Activities
Standards: 1, 2, 3
Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: The following list of activities will help in warming up the students and get them excited for other activities to follow.  Each activity listed should last four to five minutes.
Time: 3-5 minutes

Balance Tag: Two taggers are chosen and are given gator balls to use to tag the other students as they move around the gym.  Players may stay on a safe zone (poly spot) if they can balance on the correct foot, such as — orange spot – left foot balance; blue spot – right foot balance.  The students must move off the spot if they put their foot down or if they rest the foot on top of the balanced foot. Players who are tagged are required to perform a certain task.  When the task is completed, the player can return to the game.

Circuit Training: Set up various exercise stations in the gym.  Place students in same number of groups, as there are stations.  Place groups at a station. On the command “Go!” The students will perform the exercise at there station.  After 45 seconds have groups switch stations until they have completed the entire circuit.

Class exercises: Students will be stay in their homes.  Students will perform various teacher led exercises. Exercises may include jumping jacks, sit-ups, pushups, ski jumps, arm circles, and other various exercises and stretches.

Countdown Stations: Set up exercise stations in each corner of the gym.  All players begin at station one. Students must perform the exercise posted at station one and then jog 4 laps.  They then move to station two and perform the required exercise; plus jog 3 laps. Students will then go to the third station and continue to count down to one lap.

Exercise Cards: Many different exercises are posted on a set of 3X5 cards.  As the students enter the gym have them draw a recommended number of cards.  After they have drawn their cards they must go to their home spaces and complete the exercises on their cards.

Exercise Tag: Two students are chosen to be it.  On the signal, the It’s try to tag the other students.  If the students get tagged they must come to the center circle and perform an exercise assigned by the teacher.  Once they complete the exercise they may return to the game.

Exer-dice: In this activity the students roll one foam die to determine the exercises they perform.  Post a list of six exercises on the gym wall and correlate them with the dice numbers. For example a students rolling a six may have to do 25 jumping jacks for rolling the six.  They perform the exercises in their home then come back to the line. Each student will get 4 turns.

 “Fit”-tionary: Divide the class into six groups.  Place exercise cards face down opposite each group.  Take turns running down picking up a card, placing the card in another pile.  Run back to the group, without talking draw the exercise. When the team guesses the correct exercise everyone in the group does 15 of the exercise.

Four-corner Cartoon Traveling: To begin show students how each corner of the gym has a picture of a cartoon character.  Let them know that when the music begins, they will be moving around the gym using a specific locomotor movement that you call out (skip, jog, gallop, etc.)  When the music stops, they are to safely move to one of the four corners and wait there until you pick one of the exercise cards from your hand. The students standing by the picked character card must do a chosen exercise.  Continue until song is complete.

Jogging: Have the students jog a teacher determined number of laps.  Encourage the students to pace themselves.

Jump roping: Have the students jump for a certain length of time.  Students should jump the rope in their home space and they may experiment with different styles of rope jumping.  Use music to increase the enjoyment.  

Jumping:  Students will work in pairs.  Designate one partner as partner A and the other partner as partners B.  Students will face each other and jump up and down together 6 times. On the sixth jump, each student will place either their left or right leg out.  If the students have opposite legs out Partner A gets a point if the students have the same leg out Partner B gets a point. Play to 10 points and begin again.

Mat-ercise: Each student is supplied a mat to take back to their home space. Have students perform various exercises on the mat.  Use sit-ups, push-ups, and stretching activities. Also have them build bridges over the mat.

On the Bank – In the River:  Line students up behind a line.  When you say “in the river”, they jump across the line.  When you say, “on the bank”, jump backward across the line.  If you catch a mistake, or they are the last one, they go back to the next line on the gym floor and keep on playing after they do 5 push-ups, jumping jacks, or crunches.  Keep playing until last one on the original line is still there.

Partner Duck, Duck, Goose:  Start by placing the children in pairs.  Each partner faces the other about two to three feet apart; close enough to be able to touch each other with a hand.  Mark a safety line off about 20 to 30 feet behind each player. Each player takes turns tapping the other on the shoulder and saying either “duck or goose”.  When a player says “duck” nothing happens. When a player says “goose” he or she turns and runs to the safety line while the other player chases. If the chaser tags the runner before the runner reaches the safety line, the chaser wins the turn and they return to the starting area for another turn.  If the runner makes it to the safety line without being tagged, the runner wins the turn and a new game is started.

Partner Tasks: Students will work in pairs.  Each partner will line up on the sidelines across from each other.  They will be given different tasks to do. For each task they are given they will run to the middle and meet and perform the task together.  Example: 1) give each other a high five 2) give each other a low five 3) give each other a sole five 4) do 10 jumping jacks 5) do 10 pushups 6) do 10 ski-jumps.

Playing Card Warm-up: As the students enter the gym they go to the middle circle and draw 2-3 cards from the pile.  They will then match the number/letter on the card with the numbers on the posters and perform the exercise posted.  

Playing Card Warm-up II: As the students enter the gym they go to the middle circle and draw one playing card from the pile  (two decks with 2’s, 3’s, & 4’s removed). They match the suit of the playing card to one of the four posters in the corners of the gym and go to that corner.  The posters tell them what activity to perform and the number on the playing card tells them the number of repetitions. When completed, he/she goes back to the center of the gym to get another card.  Picture cards count as 10 and aces are 11. When the students complete five cards, they sit in their homes.  

Pushup Fun:  Students will work in pairs.  Have students either side by side or facing each other approximately 1 foot apart.  Pushup tag: One person begins as “it” and attempts to tag their partner on the hand while remaining in pushup position. You can only move your hands not your whole body.  “It” person is constantly changing. High Five pushups: Partners will proceed to give each other a high five with the left hand and then the right hand while remaining in pushup position.  They will continue this pattern for 1-2 minutes.

Stretching: Have the students perform various stretches in their home space.  Be sure to stretch each area of the body. The teacher should lead the activity.  

Tag Team Running: Each student will pick a partner.  While #1 partner is running a lap, #2 is performing a specific exercise.  When #1 finishes running, he/she tags his/her partner and they switch roles.  The students will run a total of 2-3 laps and do 2-3 different exercises

Trading Cards:  Equipment: a number of different colored cards & colored wallstops.

Give each student a colored card.  Students move throughout the gym, switching cards.  After 45-60 seconds give them the signal to stop and whatever color card they are holding will determine which wallstop to go to.  If a student has a red card they go to the red wallstop and pick and exercise from the list to perform. After a certain time, signal them to begin moving and switching cards again.  

Tug of War: Divide the class into evenly matched teams. Have the rope going across the length of the gym.  The team in which has their anchor touch the red mat first is the winner. Be sure to switch teams around so everyone has a chance to be on a winning team.

Concerns: Be cautious when moving around the gym and working in partners.
This idea is from:

 

Haunted House


 

Haunted House
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment: Several Beanbags, Buckets, Cones, and pool noodles (tag sticks) Grade: K-5
Purpose of Event: Work on Listening skills, directions, strategy, lots of movement
Time: 20-25 minutes
Set-up:
Big circle of cones around the gym – the haunted house walls. Place all your bean bags in the middle of the circle – candy. Put Hula hoops by the walls of the gym – candy buckets2 people at each station. Pick four students to be  taggers in the middle of the haunted house (ghosts). Taggers can’t leave house area. The other students are trying to steal the candy from the haunted house. Description:
Try to enter the haunted house  and steal 1 piece of candy without being tagged by a ghosts. If a student gets tagged, they put candy back and go back and tag their partner.  (For 3-5 classes I have them perform an exercise before they attempt to steal again). For K-1 students, they go back to bucket and do jumping jacks or whatever at their buckets.Modifications:
You may only tag your partner, and nobody else. Once you have decided to run to the West or East, you may not change your mind.  Get back to the line as soon as you get to the base line, or are tagged.
Concerns: Being safe while tagging. Making sure students are staying in their order. For the older kids: No cheating!!!! 
This idea is from: Amy Bertrand, Sioux Falls School District., Laura Wilder Elementary School 

 


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Parachute: Jaws


 

Parachute: Jaws
 

State Standard: 1, 3, 4

Equipment: Parachute large enough for all to hold
Grade: K-2
Purpose of Event: Movement, teamwork, Upper body strength, Move safely in general space
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:
Choose two players to be the sharks, who position themselves under the middle of the chute on all fours. On signal “go” standing players, shade the chute gently to create waves while the sharks swim around under the chute. Sharks gently grab the leg of a parachute player and pull that player under the chute. The two players change roles and repeat the game until everyone has been a shark.
Concerns: Cautious moving around the parachute, could be slippery if stepped on. Watch were you are going.
This idea is from:  Benda Berseth @ Medary Elementary, Brookings S.D.

 

Football Hoop Tag


Football Hoop Tag
 

State Standard: 1, & 3

Equipment:  5 hoops, 5 nerf footballs (may need more depending on number of students) 3 noodles (for tagging), music
Grade: 4-8 (1-3 with koosh balls)
Purpose of Event: Throwing and Catching skills, Locomotor movement
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description: 

Scatter 5 hoops around on the floor, and have a student start in each with a football. (You may need to add hoops/balls)  Give out 3 noodles for tagging.  At the start of the music, the taggers start to tag as many people as possible (people in the hoops cannot be tagged).  If you get tagged you are frozen.  Once frozen you must get the attention of someone in a hoop and have them throw you a football.  If the football is caught, you are un-frozen, and take the spot of the person in the hoop, that threw you the ball.  If you do NOT catch the ball you remain frozen until you catch a ball.  People that are not frozen, need to pick up the balls that are not caught, and give them back to the students in the hoops, because the students in the hoops may not leave the hoops until they are replaced.  You cannot be frozen if you have a football in your hands.

Stop every couple of minutes to switch taggers, also change the locomotor movements.

I would play this with lower grades, but use a koosh ball instead and have more hoops and balls since the throwing and catching isn’t as controlled.

Concerns: Be cautious of the hoops, don’t step on them, they slide.  Throw carefully, lots of movement going on.
This idea is from: “Great Activities”

 

Pass Me The Spider (or Chicken)


Pass Me The Spider (or Chicken)
 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4

Equipment:  2 noodles, 2 stuffed spiders (chickens)
Grade: K-2
Purpose of Event: Work on Catching, Throwing, Movement, Locomotor, Personal/General Space
Time: 10-25 minutes
Description:
Select 2 students to start with the noodles, they will be freezing people.  Two students will start with the spiders, the spiders will “thaw-out” frozen students and allow them to move again.  Spiders will be passes to someone who is frozen, so they will change hands often.  

If you are frozen, you must sit and say, “please pass me the spider” to a student with a spider.  The student with the spider will then pass it off.  Spiders should be moving to different people all the time so no one stays frozen for more than a few seconds.  If the spider is in your hands, you can not be frozen.  After about a minute, switch the students with the noodles.

Start the game by walking, and then change to different locomotor skills as the game progresses and they get the hang of it.

Concerns: Moving safely in general and personal space
This idea is from:

 

Battleship


 

Battleship
 

State Standard: 1, 3

Equipment:  Several gator-skin balls, folding mats, 25-30 foam pins Grade: K-5 
Purpose of Event: Manipulation, Control, Team Play

Organization: Form two equal teams with each team starting in its half of the gym. Stand the folding mats up and put them on the half court line. One team on each side on the mats. Each side will setup 12 bowling pins on their side of the mat.

Battleship:

  1. Each side will throw dodgeballs over the mats trying to knock down the pins on the other side.
  2. If you catch a ball that is thrown over the mat, you get to leave your side of the mat and take a lap around the other side. You can throw the ball you caught at their pins (you only throw one ball). After you throw your ball continue running until you have made your half lap. If you catch another ball, run around to the other side and throw again.
  3.  The teams can guard their pins.
  4. When you only have one pin left…only 1 person can guard that pin.
  5. The team that knocks over all the other teams pins wins.
  6. Set up and play again.
Concerns:  Must be able to move in general space safely and while on the scooters. Be careful when trying to strike the hockey puck that nobody is around the shooter. 
This idea is from:  Kathy Wait (Sioux Falls, SD). Original Idea: Ben Prillio = Teach Physed.