Cardio Bop Ball

A great fast paced game that infuses two levels of competition, running and throwing. Students are split into teams. Team members are numbered 1-4.
Instructor calls out a number. Those with the called number race around track and back to team.
Once back the student then picks up the team ball and tries to hit the target ball in the center of area. Throwing continues until the target ball is hit.
At this point, the game is reset and a new number is called.

PE in a Box or Table Top PE Games

Students enjoy PE even when sick or injured.  Over the years I have created PE in A Box lessons.  These games are easy to set.  I have placed each individual game with direction in a zip lock bag. Pick Up Sticks, Chinese Jump Rope, Hounds and The Fox, Table Top Football, Play-Doh Flexology, and Sumo Show Down are a few of the games included in my grab bag box.  PE in a Box also comes in handy when the gymnasium is being used and outside is not an option.  

Here is a link to my PE in a Box lessons.  You will also find resource pages and links to where I obtained some of the games.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CccI4x-8WTNl67gb6SQFekvA8qOwibmEycthWVSvgUw/edit?usp=docslist_api

I PLAYED S.O.S Today in PE

Today in PE I set up the game S.O.S.  It is a favorite of the students.  Not only does the game require great balance (I can control the objects used during game play) but it also encourages the students to plan, create, cooperate, communicate, strategize,  problem solve and collaborate with their team and members of other teams.

In this post I have also included two statements about play.  Both I feel are powerful.  Although I teach PE, I feel it is important that I include and incorporate play into my lessons.  I am passionate about Play and how PLAYING effects child development.

Basic Rules:

1. Team must cross together.  No one is to be left behind.
2. Your body can not touch the floor.
3. Only the equipment you find on your island or boat may be moved.
4. If you fall in, all tools are lost at sea and you must send out an S.O.S. and then go back to where you started. 
5. Discuss safety, what equipment can be tossed and what can not.
6. No standing on four wheeled scooters.
7. Add or adapt rules per grade level or skill level of students.  Make specific rules for mini islands, ie., only one child on the ......
8. For an extra challenge, give the students and "emergency pack" to transport to the other side.

Here are a few pictures.
I love to watch the kids play this game.  Every group has different equipment and every class finds  a new ways to use it.

Philosophy of Play

The principles of law-abiding citizenship, 

of individual initiative, 

of courage, justice, 

and perseverance, 

of community cooperation, 

and healthy living in general are learned 

to a considerable extent through PLAY.

The spirit of honesty, fair play, 

truthfulness, reliability, 

friendship, 

respect for authority and

 for others’ feelings, 

and many other homely virtues 

are acquired in the same way.

PLAY makes for a better mind in a better body. 

It induces keener perception, 

surer judgment,

better reasoning, 

sound emotions and a stronger will. 

It is effective in securing order and system.

-Two Hundred Games That Teach

By Laura Smith, 1923 

LET ME PLAY

Dear over scheduled busy busy world,

Please leave me alone

I need to play for my future

It is my work so I can grow.

Play is nourishment

Like eating fruits and vegetables

And the air that I breathe.

Play is how I become Confident,

Patient,

Compassionate,

Empathetic,

A Leader,

A team Player

A Humanitarian,

A Good Citizen,

A Contributor,

A Visionary.

Play is how I learn to Connect,

To Soar,

To be me.

Give me time and space

Freedom from rules and structure

Let me be creative,

Let me color outside the lines,

If I am play deprived

I die a little inside

I can’t tell you this

You are my voice

I need you to…

Let

Me

PLAY

To view this poem in video form, go to  the Body Smart Blog at http://bodysmartblog.org/2012/03/15/waxing-creative-with-the-save-play-movement/ or Scan this QR code with your SMART Phone or iPad.

Hide and Go Seek Tag

Hiding in the shadows.

As a teacher of Physical Education I have struggled with my personal teaching philosophy over the last five years.  The big question I continually ask myself is "What is my purpose as a physical education teacher?"  I can come up with a list of answers such as

1. To teach movement concepts and content
2. To get kids moving
3. Improve the health of today's youth
4. Introduce sports, games and activities that might otherwise be unknown to the students
5. Measure fitness and growth
6. Prepare students for jobs in the exercise/health/fitness industries
7. Teach students how to take care of their bodies for life
8. Help students who need health/wellness and fitness for careers in the Armed Services, Fire and Rescue and Police Departments

But what about PLAY?  Is my job to teach kids how to play?  When they reach grade 1 and 2 shouldn't they already know how to PLAY?

Increasingly I find it hard not to play in physical education class.  I spend most of my time facilitating play activities while embedding all the state standards for Physical Education into the games the students are playing. 

Students move through the gym safely in the dark while playing Hide and Go Seek Tag.

Today in Physical Education we played Hide and Go Seek Tag.  When surveyed 90% of my students reported never to had played this game.  What?  How sad.  This is one of my fondest memories as a child, especially outside  in the fall. 

Students stack mats to create a hiding tunnel.

Equipment boxes quickly become hiding places.

Students borrow empty kitchen boxes.

I know there are many reasons why Play is becoming a lost part of childhood and this is a discussion for another time. What I really want to know  "Are any other elementary PE teachers experiencing this phenomenon?" Again I find myself teaching play activities and embedding content into the games I teach.  Kids need to know how to play.  As a physical activity specialist I feel it is my duty to Teach Play.  Below is a brief sample of my lesson.

Health related fitness components.

Flexibility

Today's Lesson: Fitness

Game:  Hide and Go Seek Tag

Content Covered in Game: Discussed before, during and after activity.

• Cardiovascular Health- Running
• Muscular Health- Setting up obstacles
• Flexibility- moving into and out of hiding areas
• Cooperation- Setting up game with small groups, fixing obstacles, sharing hiding spots
• Identification of positive feelings associated from participation in a physical activity
• Positive social interaction
• Demonstrate conflict resolution strategies- rock-paper-scissors
• Adapt game to needs of all players
• Respond to appropriate and safe practices for self and class- check speed, look before running, never crawl on top of obstacles
• Demonstrate ethical decision making  -follow rules established by group prior to start of game 

Counting to 10 under the teacher's desk while class hides.

Spying on the "Taggers".

Non stop Cardio!