Alien Spaceships

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Alien Spaceships

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: Cageball, Exercise (stability) Ball , Poly Spots, & gator skin balls. Grade: K-3 
Purpose of Event: Throwing at a moving target, running, teamwork, & manipulation.
Time: 15-20 minutes
Organization:  Divide the class into two teams and have them line up on each side of the gym (horizontally). Spread out the cones on each side of the gym. This will act as the boundary line where the students are “safe” from the aliens.

Alien Spaceships: Start the game with several stability balls (SLIMO-Ball). Explain to the students the stability balls are the alien spaceships and the two teams must try and throw the gator-skin balls (asteroids) at the alien spaceships, forcing it the the teams side.  The two teams are trying make the alien spaceship roll over to the other teams side. No student is allowed to touch the alien spaceship otherwise they are captured by the alien. If a student comes into contact with an alien spaceship they must perform an exercise (i.e., mule kicks, ski-jumps, mountain climbers, & bell jumps) to get back in the game. 

Variations: Instead of having the students throw the asteroids they could roll it (bowling skills) and/or use some type of long-handled implement. 
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Make sure students are NOT throwing the balls at each other!!!
This idea is from: My take on the @CoachPirillo activity: Space Invaders. 

 

Crazy Baseball

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Crazy Baseball
 

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, & 4
Equipment: 1 bat/racquet, ball set of bases for each pair of teams (I have enough room to have 3 games going on at once, so I need 3 of everything, my gym is about 70′ X 40″) I use Polly-spots for bases and Koosh balls/paddles
 Grade: 3-8
Purpose of Event: Work on baseball/softball skills, Throwing, striking, catching, running with minimal standing around
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Divide into teams of  3 or 4.  One team goes to the field the other is up to bat.  I have 6 teams playing, so I always have 3 batting teams and 3 fielding teams. Remind the kids, they are only playing their batters, don’t worry about the other games going on beside you.  One fielding student needs to be at each base (if you have teams of 4, the fourth player starts at the pitching position, and after the ball is batted, covers home).  The batter pitches to them self, and then runs AROUND ALL of the bases.  (I stress running around, because I use Polly-spots as bases and their isn’t a lot of extra room.)  The runner runs around all the bases, everything is a home run.  They do not stop at any base. While the batter is running, the fielding team, gets the ball, throws it to first, then second, then third then home.  If the fielding team gets the ball “home” before the runner gets home, the batting team doesn’t get a point/run.  If the runner gets “home” before the ball, the batting team earns a point/run.  If the ball is caught, it is not an out, it has to be thrown to the bases in order, every time.  After all 3 or 4 batters have batted one time, they go to the field, and the fielding team bats.  If your teams only have 3 players, have the first base player cover home, AFTER they throw the ball to second.

I let them play for about 5 minutes and then switch the teams, so they are playing other teams.  This game rewards great throws and catches, and gets them running and moving.  The batters only are waiting for 2-3 other batters, so they aren’t in line forever and bat every inning.  Fielders always get the ball, and they all have to throw and catch.

I have also used scoops to catch with for that unit!  Really a challenge!  Have them do all of the catching/throwing/”batting” with the scoops and see how they do!
Concerns: Don’t throw the bat!  Make sure to have space between each field.  Don’t let teams purposely interfere with other games. Use soft balls, lots of action!
This idea is from: SHAPE America 2018 National Convention: Nashville, TN

 

Batting Skills

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Batting Skills

State Standard: 1, & 4
Equipment:Bats, batting tees, wiffle balls, and poly spots Grade:  3-5
Purpose of Event:  Eye-hand coordination, grip, stance, and swing
Time: 20-25 minutes
Introduction:  Students will sit in a horseshoe formation while I review the basic batting stance, hand position, grip, and swing with the students.

Batting:

  1. Students will take turns practicing their stance, gripping the bat and swinging through an imaginary ball.
  2. Bat around: Set up four tees on one end of the gym.  At the opposite end place poly spots in a semicircle.  There should be a poly spot for each child that is not batting.  Place on student at each poly spot and one at each tee. All fielders not batting must remain on the spots until each batter hits.  On the teacher’s signal each batter swings the bat and hits the ball in the direction of the fielders. Once all batters have hit the ball the fielders closest to the balls pick them up and return them to a tee and then return to their spot.  Students then rotate counter-clockwise one spot or tee. Repeat this until everyone has batted four times.
  • Variations: Depending on the skill level and grade level, some students may be ready to bat a pitched ball.  The teacher may stand in place of a tee and pitch to that student.
  • If the teacher is not pitching he/she should be observing and helping the batters with their stance, grip, and swing.
Concerns:  Move carefully in personal space with Wands.
This idea is from: Myself as well as Tanner Ross & Kevin Tiller (seen below).

 

 

Wands

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WANDS

State Standard: 1, & 4
Equipment: One Wand per Student (golf club holders cut in half). 
 Grade:  K-2
Purpose of Event:  Manipulation and Balancing
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization: Have each student get a wand and return to his/her home space.  Discuss the importance of safety when handling a wand. Remind students to hold the wand quiet when the whistle blows to change activities.

WANDS:

Wand Signals: Place your wand on the floor.

  1. Can you show me how you can leap over ten different wands, then return to your wand?
  2. Can you make a bridge over your wand?
  3. Can you ski jump over you wand?  Be careful not to touch the wand.
  4. Can you straddle your wand, jump, do a 90-degree turn, and straddle the wand facing the other direction

Wand Balancing: How many different ways can you balance your wand.

  1. Can you balance the wand on your hand, palm, back of hand, finger, nose, knee, and foot?
  2. Can you walk or sit down while balancing your wand.
  3. Can you balance your wand on your foot and then flip it up and catch it?

Thread the Needle: Can you hold your wand horizontally in front of your knees, step over the wand, and then back over it again without touching the wand with your feet?

  1. Falling Wand: Can you stand your wand upright in front of you, let the wand go, spin in a circle and catch the wand before it hits the ground?
  2. Dropping the Wand: Can you Hold your wand at the bottom with your strong hand, let it go, now catch the top of the wand before it hits the ground?
  3. Wand Catch: Can you stand your wand on one end and hold it in place with one finger?  Now, kick over the wand and catch the wand with your finger.
  4. Twist Under: Grasp a standing wand in front of you.  Can you twist under and around the arm without letting go of the wand or touching the ground?

Partner Stunts:

  1. Partner Change: Partners face each other a short distance apart, each with their wands balancing on the ground upright.  On signal, partners run to catch each other’s wand before it touches the ground.
  2. Wand reaction: One partner holds the wand horizontally.  The other partner places their hand directly above the wand, palm down.  When the wand is dropped, the person with his hand over the wand has to react and catch the wand before it hits the ground.
  3. Partner Carry: Partners face each other and place one end of the wand against their forehead.  By applying pressure to the wand, they move around the area without letting it drop.
Concerns:  Move carefully in personal space with Wands.
This idea is from: Myself as well as ideas from Pete Charrette and Kevin Tiller (seen below). 

 

 

 

T.E.A.M Field Day 2018

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Youtube Tutorial

Below is a tutorial I made demonstrating how I create my Field Day maps for my teachers/staff each year!!! Check  it out!!!

 

Berenstain: Bears on the Moon

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Berenstain: Bears on the Moon

State Standard: 1, & 4
Equipment: Berenstain Bears on the Moon Book, scooters, poly spots, bean bags, balancing equipment (optional), music
 Grade:  K-1
Purpose of Event:  Balance, body and space awareness
Time: 20-25 minutes
Description:
Scatter poly spots and bean bags around the area.  Poly spots represent moon craters and bean bags represent moon rocks.  The teacher begins the lesson reading the book “The Berenstain Bears on the Moon.”  Then students begin the activity portion of the lesson by sitting on a scooter on the side of the room.  Integrating the details of the book into this, explain who they are going to fly to the moon in the rocket ship.  Have the class count down to blast-off and ride their rocket to the moon. When they arrive, their rocket becomes a moon-mobile.  Ask them to ride in all different directions and pathways around the moon avoiding the craters and rocks.  next, have the part their moon-mobile and step out for a walk on the moon.  You can have them walk slowly, explaining the concept of no gravity as well.  Finally, they can collect moon rocks and balance them on different body parts as they walk.  Other balancing equipment can be used to increase difficulty.
Concerns:  Move carefully on Scooters and in personal space.
This idea is from: www.pecentral.com Melanie Jackson in Salisbury, MD ***thanks for this great game!

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

Battle Ball

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 Battle Ball 

State Standard: 1, 3, & 4
Equipment: 1 pin and ball per group of 3
 Grade:  4+ (K-2 with Under hand throwing)
Purpose of Event:  Throwing & Aiming
Time: 20-25 minutes
Description: (groups of 3-4)

Place pin (near wall works best) about 15′ from throwing line.  Players line up and player 1 takes a turn trying to throw the ball at the pin.  If the pin is knocked down, that team scores a point, and whoever knocked it down, runs and picks it up. While player 1 is setting up the pin, player 3 goes and gets the ball and runs it back to player 2.  Play continues and the players switch “positions, #2 becoming #1 and so on.  Repeat until one team has 5 points, change teams and play again.

For Grades K-2, have them throw underhand and I don’t  switch teams.
Concerns:  Be cautious!  Lots of movement, be aware of the people around you!  And be careful of the scooters.
This idea is from: WOW Workshop