Fitness Centers

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Fitness Centers

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: Several cones, poly spots, different fitness equipment (dumbbells, medicine ball, jungle jims, jump ropes, and/or cup stacks), Mats, arrows, and cue cards. Grade: 4-5 (Possible 3)
Purpose of Event: Endurance, Strength, and Fitness Concepts
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization:  Set-up several centers around the gym with either arrows or shoulder folders locating each station for the students.  Have students sit in their battle-ship spots as I explain each fitness center. Once each center has been explained or demonstrated separate each students into groups of two partners and have them start at different centers. 

Fitness Centers: On the signal, the students within their pairs will begin each workout labeled by the shoulder folder at each center. The following are some different ideas that I use for various fitness workouts (you can add more or change for whatever works for your students):

  1. Lunges (use dumbbells students walk from one cone to another while holding dumbbells).
  2. Wall Sits (students sit at a wall with their legs at 90 degree angle).
  3. Jumping Rope (students perform various forward, backward, and/or criss cross jump ropes).
  4. Abdominal twists (students use a medicine ball and perform abdominal twists).
  5. Climbing Wall (If your gym has one; students will use the climbing wall).
  6. Jungle Jim’s (students will perform a chest press or standing row with cables).
  7. Bosu Ball (students will work on balancing while trying to catch a ball being thrown by their partner).
  8. Burpees/Mountain Climbers (one partner will perform burpees while the other partner performs mountain climbers then switch).
  9. Cub Stacking (depending on the age have a center where students practice speed stacks).
  10. Forearm Plank (students work on their muscular strength and core by performing a forearm plank)

Variations: You can add or remove any exercises as you see fit that works for your students.
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Make sure students performing the exercises correctly and with proper technique. I also make sure that they are working well with their partners.
This idea is from: 

Basketball Scrabble

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Basketball Scrabble

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: Several basketballs, pencils, scratch paper, cones, several noodles (cut to smaller sizes) with letters of alphabet on each one, & basketball hoops. Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event: Dribbling a basketball while attempting a shot as well as making words with letters.
Time: 20-25 minutes
Organization:  Divide the class into 4 or 5 teams (relay style) and have them line up on one end the gym behind a cone. Give each team one basketball, a pencil, and a scratch piece of paper. Put a basketball full of cut -up pool noodles with each letter of the alphabet inside (add a wild card if you want). 

Scrabble: On the signal, the first player in each line will dribble their basketball to a hoop and attempt a shot (using the proper progression as much as possible). After the player has taken their shot they dribble their basketball to a bin (located in the middle of the gym) filled with the letters and take one. Once they have chosen their letter they dribble their ball back to their team and give the basketball to the next person in line. This player then dribbles the ball to a hoop and attempts their shot. Each player from each team continues to dribble and attempt their shots and retrieve a letters from the bin before they return to their team. The team that comes up with the most words from the letters they have chosen at the end of the time limit are the winners (this is what they pencil and scratch paper is for).

Rules: If a player attempts their shot, but does NOT make it that student is allowed to retrieve only one letter from the bin; whereas if a student who shoots a shot and DOES make it they can retrieve two letters.

Variations: For older students; instead of making words have them try and make as many sentences out of their letters.
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Make sure students are taking turns and staying in their order in their lines!!
This idea is from: Amy Staples, K-5 Physical Education Teacher, Sioux Falls, SD. 

Germball

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Germball

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: Cageball, Exercise (stability) Ball , Poly Spots, & gator skin balls. Grade: K-3 (4-5 possibly)
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.  Spread out the poly spots (random colors) along the half-court line. This will act as the boundary line where the students cannot cross.

Germball: Start the game with just one cageball or stability ball and then add more as the game continues. The physical education instructor will explain to the students the cageball/stability balls are the germs and the two teams must try and throw the gator-skin balls (medicine) at the germball, forcing it across the half court line.  The two teams are trying make the germball roll over to the other teams side (across the poly spots) as they do NOT want the germballs on their side of gym.  No student is allowed to touch the cageball at any time with their hands (germs).  **Only the smaller balls (medicine) are used to force the cageball across the line.** 

Variations: For older students you could have them perform a desired exercise if they touch the ball with their hands. They have been in contact the germs!!!
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Make sure students are NOT throwing the balls at each other!!!
This idea is from: Myself

Badlands Speedway

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Badlands Speedway

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: Cones and Deck Rings Grade: K-5
Purpose of Event: Running & Teamwork
Time: 10-15 minutes
Organization:

Set cones around the outside of the gym to make an oval track.

Have students sit in groups of 2-4 at each cone.
Place a deck tennis ring on each cone this is the steering wheel (baton)
Each student is the race car driver, have them drive 1-4 laps around the track then hand the ring to the next driver, 1st group to be sitting by the cone wins.
Variations: Have students perform different locomotor movements (i.e., skipping and galloping) while moving around the cones.
Concerns: Move safely around the gym.
This idea is from: Mark Struck, Physical Education Teacher, Sioux Falls, SD.

Wild Wild West

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Wild Wild West

State Standard: 1, 2, & 4
Equipment: 4 Mats & Several yarn balls. Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event: Running, Throwing, & Catching
Time: 15- 20 minutes
Organization: Set-up four mats on end in the shape of a circle. Place a basket of several yarn balls in the middle of the gym. Separate the students into two teams. One group will be the throwers (cowboys/cowgirls) who will be standing inside the middle oval on the gym floor. The other group will be the runners/catchers (buffaloes) standing on the outside of the mats.

Activity: On the signal, the buffaloes begin by running around the outside of the mats in a circle (around gym) as the cowboys/cowgirls (standing in the middle) are trying to throw the yarn ball at the buffaloes. The goal is for the buffaloes to try and catch a yarnball thrown by a cowboy/cowgirls before hits the ground. The game keeps going for 4-5 minutes and then switch the groups. The cowboys/cowgirls become the buffaloes and the buffaloes become the cowboys/cowgirls.

Variations: Group the students into groups of two (partners). Have one partner begin as a buffalo and the other as runner. The goal is for the two pairs to catch a ball 5 times in a row and then switch places (can make it a higher number for older students). For younger students try using a larger ball (i.e., beachball or beanbags). Instead of running; incorporate different locomotor skills for the buffaloes (i.e., skipping & galloping). Have students practice underhand or overhand throwing as well. You can also have the students rotate when they have caught a ball so many number of times. I have my Ss usually go to 5 times and then switch.
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Making sure students are sharing the yarn balls (not fighting)!!! Students are NOT to be throwing the ball at the runners; not dodge ball. Working on throwing and catching while moving.
This idea is from: Amy Staples, Physical Education Teacher, Sioux Falls, SD.

Card Sharks Dribbling

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Card Sharks Dribbling

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, 4
Equipment: Several basketballs, Hula Hoops, Playing Cards, & Basketball Hoops (varying height) Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event:  dribbling skills, bounce & catching, manipulation, and control
Time: 15- 20 minutes
Organization: Set-up several hula-hoops around the gym with playing cards inside each one. Make sure the cards are facing down, so students cannot see them. Mix the cards up; for instance red cards and black cards are spread out in varying hula-hoops. Have basketball hoops set and different height for younger students.

Introduction:  On the signal, students begin dribbling around the gym and go to a different hula-hoop. At the hula-hoop a student will flip up the card (inside the hula-hoop) if the card is red student dribbles the inside the hula-hoop with their dominate hand that many times inside the hula-hoop. After the student as completed that task they flip the card back upside down and move to another hula-hoop. If a student goes to another hula-hoop and flip the card up and it is black they are required to dribble the ball that number of times with their non-dominate hand.

Variations: Instead of having (older students) dribbling if the student picks up a red card you can have them dribble to a red poly spot on the floor (at a hoop) and attempt one shot. Whether the student makes or misses the shot they go retrieve their ball and proceed to dribble to another hula-hoop. If a student goes to a hula-hoop and the card they pick up is black they proceed to a black poly spot (hoop set at a taller height).
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Making sure students are not shooting their baskets when other students are shooting (taking turns). Make sure students are not stealing the ball from each other (little kids).
This idea is from: Kate Davis, Western Elementary. www.pecentral.com

 

 

Aerobic Bowling

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Aerobic Bowling 

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, 4
Equipment: 1 gator skin ball and 1 bowling pin per group. Grade: 2-5
Purpose of Event:  Students will work on rolling the ball on the floor (bowling) while trying to knock down a pin on the other side of the gym.
Time: 15- 20 minutes
Introduction: using the lines of the volleyball court. Have students place the bowling pin on the opposite sideline from where they are standing.  On your signal, the student with the ball will underhand roll the ball trying to knock their pin down, if they knock it down they get a point (keep track of your own points).  The student then must run across the gym, set up your pin if needed, retrieve their ball and run it back to the next student in line. Students MUST hand them the ball (no throwing).  Keep alternating turns bowling and running for either a set number of points…5 or for a set length of time 3-5 minutes.  Then have the class stop and compare scores with their teammates.  Have the winners or losers, rotate to either the right or left, then play another game.

Modifications: Vary the distance between bowler and pin, size of ball (bigger/smaller), number of pins.
Concerns: Move safely around the gym. Make students know (before) how to perform each exercise described on the cards.
This idea is from: Mark Struck, Physical Education Teacher, Laura B. Andersen Elementary School.

Turkey Round Up

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Turkey Round Up

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, 4
Equipment: 4 hoops, 5 jerseys, 7-8 cones, 8 carpet squares, 5 noodles Grade: K-1
Purpose of Event: Warm up; tagging, fleeing, dodging
Time: 10- 15 minutes
Description:

Tell the students that they will be Turkeys or Farmers, and both are very hungry! Select 5 students to be Farmers. They will wear a Bib (Jersey) so the Turkeys know who they are. The rest of the students are Turkeys, and the game will start with them inside the Turkey Pen (large area marked by cones). It is the job of the Farmers to protect the Turkey Feed (bean bags) in hoops in four corners of the gym. The Turkeys are hungry, so they are going to attempt to leave the Turkey Pen, steal some turkey feed, and make it back to the pen without getting tagged by the Farmer. Farmers are not allowed to enter the Turkey Pen. If the Farmers tag a Turkey, the Turkey must go to the dinner table and stand on a place mat (carpet squares around the outside of the playing area). To escape the Dinner Table, the Turkey must jump up and down and say “gobble, gobble, gobble” until another Turkey sneaks out of the pen, grabs them, and takes them back to the pen. The game ends when all the Turkey feed has been stolen or 1-2 minutes to switch Farmers.

I give the 5 farmers noodles so tagging is safer.
Concerns: Move safely in general space. Tag carefully!!!
This idea is from: Susan Burd at Harvard elementary in Tacoma WA from PE Central

 

 

King-Pin Handball

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King-Pin Handball 

State Standard: 1, 2, 3, 4
Equipment: 10-15 Nerf balls, 10 bowling pins, jerseys, 2 floor mats Grade: 3-8
Purpose of Event: Develop throwing and aiming, Hand eye coordination, Striking stationary targets, teamwork
Time: 15-20 minutes
Description:

Divide class into 2 teams. Center line in gym divides each team’s side.  The object of the game is to be the first team to knock the opponents pins down by throwing the balls at the pins (Pins are lined up at the opposite end of the gym, 5 on each side).  Players may run anywhere in the gym.  However, if a player crosses the center line they are at risk for being tagged.  If  tagged the player goes to the jail, (mat on the other teams side of the gym).  To get out of jail, a tagged player must catch an aerial ball from one of their team mates.  This ball must be thrown from players own side. The player must catch the thrown ball with at least one foot touching the mat.  If a player in jail catches a ball, they get free backs but must return to their starting side.  The caught ball should be left as a token on the opponents side.  If you never cross the center line, you never have to “go to jail”.  Balls are NEVER thrown at people, they are only thrown at the pins.

Variations: Players do not need to cross the line to knock over a pin, but they may if they want to take a risk.  One person at a time may guard a pin, but they must remain standing.  When players are going into and out of “jail” I have them raise their hand, so others know where they are going.  While in jail, players cannot throw balls at the pins.
Concerns: Be cautious with throw, and watch where you are going!  Have knowledge of general space. Make sure students are NOT throwing the ball at one another!!!
This idea is from: WOW Workshop

Beanbag Leap Frog

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Beanbag Leap Frog

State Standard: 1, 3, 4
Equipment: Poly spots with the numbers 5-20, one crate, 4 hula-hoops, and 4 beanbag frogs Grade: K-2
Purpose of Event: Cardiovascular endurance, underhand/overhand throwing, and math skills (addition)
Time: 15-20 minutes
Organization: The crate will be placed in the center of the gym.  The poly spots will be scattered around the crate.  The further away from the crate the higher the number on the poly spot.  The hula-hoops will be placed at each corner on the outside of the poly spots.  One beanbag frog will be place in each hoop. I will divide the student into four groups and place each group behind their hula-hoop.

Beanbag Leap Frog:

The object of the game is to collect the most poly spots and earn the most points.  On “go”, one person from each team will run to a poly spot and try to toss their frog into the crate from that spot.  If they make it, they get to pick up that spot and put it in their hula-hoop.  If they miss they get their frog and hand it to the next person in line.  Game continues until all spots are picked up.  At the end of the game each team adds up their points, by adding up the numbers on the poly spots in their hula-hoop.  The team with the most points wins.
Concerns: Making sure students are NOT moving the poly spots closer and staying within their relay lines (taking turns).
This idea is from: I have seen a version of this from several teachers.