Move The Mountain

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Move The Mountain

State Standard: 1, & 3
Equipment: Cageball or Omnikin Ball, Music, Lots of little balls
 Grade:  K-2
Purpose of Event:  Throwing & Aiming
Time: 20-25 minutes
Description:
Divide class into two groups, each team line up behind its starting line (each on one side of the gym).  The objective is to throw the smaller balls at the Earth Ball and hit it so that is moves past the other teams goal line.   
I use the volleyball court line, serving line (throw from); Mid-court line (place the Earth Ball here to start) and the 10′ Attack line (goal line).  One balls have been thrown, players may leave the restraining areas (serving line) to retrieve balls on their halves of the gym, but they must return to the restraining areas to throw.  When a team moves the ball across the goal line, it scores 1 point.
Concerns:  Use soft ball, Koosh work well or Dense foam balls.  Be cautious of throws.
This idea is from: 

Snow Fort

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Snow Fort

State Standard: 1, 2, & 3
Equipment: 20+ Bowling Pins, 20-30 Foam Balls, 4-6 folding mats
 Grade:  K-2
Purpose of Event:  Throwing over hand, Opposite foot forward, Using correct throwing skills
Time: 20-25 minutes
Description:

Divide class into 2 groups; one group one each half of the gym.  Each area has a snow fort (mats) and 10-15 snowmen (bowling pins) scattered in front of each fort.  The object is for each team to throw “snowballs” and try to knock down the other team’s snowmen.  Players may leave the fort to get a ball but must throw from back on their fort.  Play until one team knocks down all of the other team’s snowmen, or 2-4 minutes. 

Move forts back or forth in playing area depending on the throwing ability of the group.  All snowmen should be placed in front of the forts.
Concerns:  Be cautious!  Use soft balls, keep the focus on throwing at the pins,
This idea is from: WOW Workshop

Winter Olympics: Stations

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Winter Olympics: Stations

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: Ribbon sticks, scooters, paper plates, bean bags, target, hockey sticks, hockey nets, small hoops or mini cones, plungers, mats, jump ropes, marker boards/markers, stop watches, shuffle board sticks and spider balls, hula hoops, foam skis (2-3 ft long/2″ thick); Other equipment listed below
 Grade: K-5 (might need to make some minor changes for the younger students)
Purpose of Event:  Experience the Olympics, cardiovascular, throwing, striking, aiming, running, strength.
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization: We’ve tried to cover all 7 Olympic Sports and most of the 15 disciplines
I have enough equipment out so that everyone can be doing “something”. I have the gym set up so that they can move at their own pace, some will go around several times, others may go slower. No “cutting” in line, but you can pass at different points. It is a continuous station. I also made an Olympic Flag to hang in the gym. Have everyone assigned to start at a different place to get things started, however I do have everyone start with a torch run.Description:
Several Stations can be timed or scored: I have marker boards at the stations so that the athletes can post scores or times (optional).Stations: (not necessarily in order)Light the Olympic Torch: Torch Run, use ribbon sticks, each participant runs 3 laps around the “stadium” with the Olympic Torch (ribbon stick) (Can time laps)Biathlon: Ski with paper plates on your feet (shuffle your feet with plate on the floor). I have cones out and around the gym, they must move around the biathlon course with a bean bag in their hand, at the half way point in the race, they will see a target, they need to throw the bean bag at the target, retrieve the bean bag, and ski back to the start. (Can time even, and write down time and where the bean bag hit the target)Olympic Rings: First person stands with one hula hoop in their hand, they must pass the hoop to the next person in line (who is holding the first persons hand), by putting their body inside/through the ring; the ring can’t touch the ground. (Optional: The last person must stay until someone else joins their hand and pass along the ring.)Skating: Pairs Figure Skating: with a partner link arms and skate on paper plates. Skaters must stay linked (hands or elbows) and must skate a 30 second “program”.Curling: Shuffle board sticks, and spider balls, stand at start line and try to push spider ball on to shuffle board. Three attempts each to get high score. Post highest number spider ball lands on.

Slalom Course: Place Moguls or hoops/mini cones (8-10 cones) in a zigzag fashion. Skiers must jump (feet together) over cones. (Post time)

Hockey Goal: Start with Hockey stick and bean bag, must dribble around cones to reach goal line, once at goal line shoot for a goal (shoot bean bag into net). Post time required to dribble and shoot

Skiing: One skier on a scooter, use plungers to move scooter around course that has been marked out

Skier: While jumping rope do 15 bell jump. Post time

Cross Country Ski: I have Foam Rectangles that are about 3 feet long and 2-3″ thick, I tie jump ropes around them and athletes “ski” around the course that is marked out. Post time

Speed Skating around Oval: Mark out an oval with floor tape, using paper plates, see how long it takes to ski “x” times around. Post time

Ski Jump: Free-Style: Use a mat Wedge, lay it flat, I allow students to run up wedge and “jump off” and perform a free-style jump. Finish by landing on a floor mat. (My wedge is only about 2 feet off the ground) And they must land on the floor mat, or they are disqualified.

Luge: 2 scooters with one floor mat folded and on top, connecting the two scooters. One person rides while a partner pushes Luge to the end, and then switch, pushing the luge back to the start. Post time

Bob Sleigh: (2 man) 2 scooters, one person on each. They must hook themselves together and move through the course. Post time

Skeleton: 2 scooter with one person on both. Athlete lays on their stomach on scooters and uses hands to get through course. Post time

Speed Skating: slide trainer and slide side to side. Post times

Olympic Symbolism: (make posters and hand in the gym)

Olympic Creed: “The most significant thing in the Olympic games is not to win but to take part. Just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well.”

Olympic Oath: In the name of all competitors, I promise that we shall take part in these Olympic Games, respecting and abiding by the rules which govern them, in the true spirit of sportsmanship, for the honor of our teams.

Olympic Rings: The five interlocked rings represent the five continents of the world. In every flag of the world there can be found at least one color of the colored rings. The colors of the rings from left to right are blue, yellow, black, green, and red. Whether the rings are in different colors or are in the same color, they are the official Olympic symbol and the exclusive property of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) according to Rule 6 of the IOC Charter.

Olympic Motto: “Citius, Altius, Fortius” expresses the aspirations of the Olympic movement. Loosely translated, these Latin words mean “Swifter, Higher, Stronger.”

Olympic Torch and Flame: The torch is usually carried hand-to-hand by relays of runners from the original site of the Olympic Games at Olympia, Greece, to the main stadium of the Games. As a symbol of peace among peoples, the flame represents the basic spiritual significance of the Olympic movement.

Olympic Flag: The Olympic Flag, which appeared in Olympic competition for the fi9rst at Antwerp in 1920, has a white background with no boarder. In the center are placed five interlocked rings whose colors are blue, yellow, black, green and red.

Doves: A symbol of peace, the doves are released at the opening ceremony to remind all peoples that the Olympic Games are held in an atmosphere of peace. (I use the Doves for discipline…I had 4…hanging in the gym, if something un-peaceful happened, I took down a Dove).
Concerns:  Be cautious!  Lots of movement, be aware of the people around you!  And be careful of the scooters.
This idea is from: Some were ideas from Sharon Welch ==> www.pecentral.com; and other came from a WOW.
Tracy Nelson & Benda Berseth as well!!! 

Rudolph’s Treasure

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Rudolph’s Treasure

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: 10 scooters, 2-3 colored jerseys, 10 medium cones, 4-6 large cones, 30-40 beanbags, & 2 laundry baskets
 Grade: K-2
Purpose of Event: Team Strategy and Muscular Endurance
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization:
Place 10 scooters on one end of the gym evenly spaced out (Scooters should be upside down when they are not being used).  Place 2 scooters upside down in the middle of the gym, with a colored jersey on each scooter.  Place the medium cones on the sidelines of the gym leaving 10-12 feet between the cones and the sidewalls.  Place 4-6 large cones at the opposite end of the gym approximately 20 feet from the end wall.  Space all the cones out evenly.  Place the beanbag box at the opposite end of the gym and an empty box behind the starting area.  Pair students with a partner and have them sit behind a scooter. Choose two students to use the scooter in the middle.

Description:
The object of the activity is for the students (reindeer) to lie down on their tummies on the scooters (sleighs) and make it across the North Pole (the gym) to the opposite side of the gym to get one beanbag (treasure) without being tagged by the two taggers roaming in the middle of the gym (the Grinches).  The reindeer are safe while they are in the “barn” (at their start spot) and they are safe if they make it to the big cones (opposite side).  But once, they are in between the start area and the big cones, the two Grinches can try to tag them.  The Grinches are also moving around on their tummies and they are not allowed to get off their scooter.  If a student is tagged before making it to the treasure, they simply stand up, pick up their sleigh and walk to the sidelines (where the medium cones are placed) and then they give the scooter to the partner who then has a turn.

If the students make it to the treasure, they must return it to the “barn” without being tagged.  If they are tagged, they simply drop the beanbag where they were tagged and walk to the sidelines and return to their partner.  The partner, or any other student can then decide to try to make it all the way to the opposite end of the gym, or they can choose to rescue a dropped beanbag (treasure).  This is where strategy and teamwork come into place as one or more students can “sacrifice” themselves or distract the Grinch while others make it safely back.  
Concerns: Moving safely in the gym. Making sure students are tagging one another is safe manner.
This idea is from:

 

Santa’s Workshop

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Santa’s Workshop

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: Several yarnballs, stuffed animals, and/or beanbags, 2 large mats, 2 laundry baskets, several noodles, poly spots, and jersey’s. 
 Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: To practice chasing, fleeing and dodging skills, team strategy, and having fun while participating in an aerobic activity.
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization:
Place several poly spots down the center line to separate the gym into two halves. Place one mat on one side of the gym and the other mat on the other side. Place a laundry basket on one side and the other laundry basket on the other. Put about 15 items in each laundry basket to represent the toys. 

Description:
Divide class into two teams. Tell the class Santa’s elves have gone on strike and that they are no longer making toys for Santa. This means each team must try to obtain all the toys from the other team. Each player must attempt to steal a (one at a time) toy from the other team without getting tagged. Once a player has crossed the center-line into the other team’s area they are eligible to get tagged. I use foam noodles as tag sticks. If a player, gets tagged before they return to their team’ side with or without a toy they MUST go to jail (marked by a mat). A player is able to get out of jail when one of their teammates successfully reaches them and give them a high-five (without getting tagged). I allow them to have free back. However, they MUST return to their team’s side before they try to steal a toy again.  The game is over once one team has successfully obtained all the toy’s from the other team. 

Rules:
Students are NOT allowed to take more than one toy per trip. They are NOT allowed to throw the toy’s to a teammate. They must run to their side. Students cannot attempt to tag an opponent while trying to steal a toy at the same time. 

Variations:
You can have the students get a free back if they successfully reach the opponents laundry basket and grab a toy before being tagged; instead of trying to make it back safely before or after they try to steal a toy. 
Concerns: Moving safely in the gym. Making sure students are tagging one another is safe manner. Reinforce to the students how to problem solve if they think they tagged an opponent who thinks they are safe.
This idea is from: PECentral.com

 

Aerobic Bingo

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Aerobic Bingo

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: Bingo Cards, Dry Erase Markers, and gym space. 
 Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event: Getting to know one another and making connections.
Time: 20-25 minutes 
Organization:
Print and Cut the Bingo Cards (below) and give one to each student. I laminate mine in order for the Bingo Cards to be reused each year. Give each student a dry erase marker. This is a great way for students to get to know one another and make connections at the beginning of the school year.

Description:
Explain to the students that when the music starts they must attempt to find another classmate that has gone on one of the adventures represented by the symbol on their BINGO card by asking:
“Have you ever__________?”
If the student responds YES – have them write their first and last initials on the box with the adventure
symbol the student asked them about. If they respond NO – the student must go find someone else. At the end of the activity I have the students share one new thing they discovered about another classmate during the game.

Rules:
Each student can only sign your card ONCE no doubles.
After each signature – students must jog one lap around the gym before asking for another signature
Continue playing until a student fills their entire card or until the time limit is up. 

Variations:
Have students play for fun and get to know their friends
Compete to see who can get 4 in a row first
Compete to see who can get 6 in a row first
Change the exercise from “jog one lap” to anything else you want
Give the students a choice of a few different exercise options
Concerns: Make sure students attempt to ask a different classmate!  
This idea is from: Ben Landers aka thepespecialist on Twitter.

 

 

©BenLanders

Hula-Hoop Volleyball

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Hula-Hoop Volleyball

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: 3-4 Volleyball Standards, 3 Volleyball nets, 5-10 different colored hula-hoops, and several volleyballs
 Grade: 3-5
Purpose of Event: To practice volleyball skills (i.e., forearm pass, underhand/overhand serve, and set)
Time: 2-3 Minute Rounds (20-25 minutes total). 
Organization:
Set-up two volleyball courts. I use two nets with two volleyball standards (more participation). Spread out 5-10 hula-hoops on each side of the volleyball nets. 

Description:
Divide class into two teams.  The goal is to have students practice their volleyball skills (forearm pass, underhand/overhand serve, and set) by attempting to have their volleyball land in the opposing teams hula-hoops to score a point. Each time a volleyball lands and/or bounces inside the hula-hoop that person has just scored one point for their team. We play several rounds for 2-3 minutes. Once a round is over bring the students back and have them add up each individuals score to determine how many points the entire team obtained. This is a good way to focus on sportsmanship and character (making sure students are not making up their points – honesty).  After we have determined the final score of each team we play another round. Things to focus on is making sure students are practicing the correct volleyballs skills as mentioned above. 

Rules:
Students are NOT allowed to catch, throw, kick, and/or lift the volleyballs. Make sure students do not touch the net. The volleyball must go over the net not under. When it comes to blocking (I only do this with 5th grade) students can only block while moving around their side of the net. In other words students cannot stand in front (not moving) of the hula-hoops and/or stand inside them. 

Variations:
You can have the volleyballs bounce on the floor then inside the hula-hoops to score points. Depending on skill level to can only allow points to be obtained when the volleyball bounces directly in the hula-hoop (before it touches the floor). For younger students; such as 3rd and 4th grade I do NOT allow blocking.  
Concerns: Using correct volleyball skills, good sportsmanship, and make sure students are NOT kicking, throwing, and/or catching the volleyball. I taped the hula-hoops on the floor, so students do not slip on them. 
This idea is from: Myself (as well as my 3rd grade students). 

 

Throwing Centers

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Throwing Centers

State Standard: 1, & 2
Equipment: Listed Below.
 Grade: K-2
Purpose of Event: Develop Throwing skills, focus on correct hand and opposite foot, great time to monitor progress.
Time: 10-15 minutes
Description:

Put stations around my gym in a large circle. I also have pictures (shoulder folders) on cones with colors. This is how I have students rotate from one center to the next via colors. For example, purple to yellow and so on. I also place plastic arrows on the floor letting students know where they must go (directions). I use just about anything that can be thrown!  Here are some of the things I use (I have centers alternate from underhand to overhand throwing):

Volley Birds into a Deck Ring;
Nerf balls into a basketball hoop;
Koosh balls at a bowling pin;
Koosh balls thrown in the air and catch; bean bags into a box;
Football in to a hoop (hang hoop from basketball hoop);
Bean bags into a hoop;
Speed ball (mesh equipment, with holes that balls can be thrown into);
Bounce and catch ball; Bounce reactions balls and catch;
Indoor Yard darts into hoop;
HiLi scoops (throw and catch);
throw ball through large circle mat. 

I use this as a great chance to check for biomechanics of throwing.  Great time to check perceptual motor skills. 
Concerns: Cooperation and Moving safe in space.
This idea is from: Youtube Channel.

 

Catch A Thief

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Catch A Thief

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: 12 bean bags (6 for each team) Jersey for half the students
 Grade: K-3
Purpose of Event: Cardiovascular, Sportsmanship, Honesty, & Character Development
Time: 5-10 minutes
Description:

Divide the students into 2 teams, each team having half of the playing area; one team wears jerseys. Place 6 bean bags on the back line of each side. Players try to sneak over to the other teams side and steal their bean bags. Players who carry one bean bag back to their side add it to their teams pile of bean bags. A player who is tagged on the opponents’ side of the gym must go to Jumping Jack Jail (a circle I have on the side of my gym). Once in jail they do 5 jumping jacks and return to the activity.

Variations: Can place bean bags inside basketball lane and have that be the “goalie area” you may not be in your own teams goal area. -OR- Assign each team their own jail and a teammate may rescue a prisoner by going into jail, taking the prisoner’s hand, and running the prisoner back to their side of the playing area. If the rescuer and prisoner are tagged, they both become prisoners. Only one prisoner may be rescued at a time.

 
Concerns: Move safely in general space.
This idea is from: SD Shape Convention