Keeping Kids in motion
Building a community where fitness and play are the foundation for all families.
December’s “PLAY IT UP FOR THE HOLIDAYS!” Fitness Challenge
The December PLAY it up for the HOLIDAYS challenge stresses the significance of good old-fashioned PLAY. As Albert Einstein famously stated, “Play is the highest form of research.” It is my belief that play is the ultimate means of physical, social, and emotional exercise for children.
Fred Rogers, of Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, famously stated, “Play is the work of childhood.”
I couldn’t agree more. Play allows children to use their creativity while developing their imagination, dexterity, and physical, cognitive, and emotional strength. Through play, children learn at a very early age to engage and interact in the world around them. Play is a cherished part of childhood. By finding the right balance between work and play, children will grow up happier, well adjusted, and more prepared to conquer the world.
The PLAY it up for the HOLIDAYS CHALLENGE
- Each day, students PLAY it up indoors or outdoors.
- Use the indoor or outdoor activities listed or create your own fitness fun.
- Participate in one or more activities for at least one hour throughout the day.
- Write down your chosen activities on the calendar provided!
At the end of the month, students add up the total number of days completed, have their parents sign the bottom of the sheet, then return it to a PE teacher. Students completing at least 10 days will receive an award certificate and toe token.
Finally, it is imperative that parents and teachers stress the importance of play. I regularly have conversations with my students regarding play as their number one mode of exercise.
For an editable copy of the December challenge, click December 2019 Challenge.
For a PDF copy of the December challenge (in case the font does not work on the editable version), click December 2019 Challenge PDF.
For a copy of the Award Certificate, click Play it up Certificate.
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/justybubpe.
Check out my Facebook group called Keeping Kids in Motion!
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for over 100 useful games for physical education!
30 DAYS of THANKS AND PLANKS – November Fitness Challenge
Are you ready to Flourish with Fitness throughout the month of November? If so, then it’s time for 30 DAYS of THANKS and PLANKS!
Why plank exercises?
Plank exercises strengthen the core. Core muscles help to support the body and allow us to use our arms and legs strongly and effectively. Strong core muscles form the foundation for good posture, coordination, and balance. All gross and fine motor skills rely on a stable core.
Remember to practice and encourage proper form with your children/students. Now let’s take a look at the challenge.
Part 1 of the challenge:
Choose 1 Timed Plank Exercise and 3 Counted Plank Exercises each day from the list of 10 plank variations below!
SCAN the QR CODE for a demonstration of each exercise.
TIMED PLANK EXERCISES – Hold for at least 20 seconds. Increase time each day for your personal best.
- High Plank (on hands)
- Low Plank (on elbows)
COUNTED PLANK EXERCISES
- Plank with Shoulder Touch – 10 repetitions each shoulder
- Up Down Plank –10 repetitions
- Alternating Arm Raise – 5 repetitions each arm
- Plank Jacks – 10 repetitions
- Knee to Outside Elbow Plank – 5 repetitions each leg
- Alternating Toe Tap Plank – 10 repetitions each side
- Plank Leg Raise – 10 repetitions each leg
- Knee Tap Plank (Low plank) – 10 repetitions each knee
Thank you Jedd Austin (@jeddaustin) for your incredible videography/editing talent.
Part 2 of the challenge:
Think of something or someone you’re thankful for, and write it on the calendar each day. If you’re thankful for a person, go above and beyond by telling the person or by writing them a note.
Using the linked fitness calendar, write your initials for each day you complete the routine. At the end of the month, add up the total number of days completed, have your parents sign the bottom of the sheet, and return it to your PE teacher. Students completing at least 10 days will receive a certificate and toe token.
For an editable copy of the November Flourish with Fitness Challenge, click 30 DAYS of THANKS and PLANKS.
For a PDF copy of the November Flourish with Fitness Challenge (in case font does not work on the editable version) click 30 DAYS of THANKS and PLANKS pdf.
For an editable copy of the Award Certificate, click 30 Days Certificate.
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/justybubpe.
Check out my Facebook group called Keeping Kids in Motion!
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for over 100 useful games for physical education!
6 Laundry Basket Games Your PE Students Will LOVE!
Several years ago, my team and I were looking for an inexpensive way to store some of our smaller pieces of equipment. Milk crates worked but were a little smaller than what we needed for our variety of balls, scoops, noodles, pinnies, etc. We discovered laundry baskets were the perfect alternative. They are durable, lightweight, easy to carry and fit well on our shelves. We ordered several of two different sizes; the 1.5-bushel square basket and the longer, more shallow 2-bushel basket.
Over time, we realized that our new receptacles were not only an excellent way to keep our equipment organized, but they worked equally well as a resource for our PE curriculum. Laundry baskets we frequently emptied and utilized in several of our drills and games. In fact, they inspired us to create several new games our students love. Here are a few of their favorites.
1. Race to 3 – The SPORTSMANSHIP Game
I’ve been playing this game for years with coffee cans. However, I learned that it’s much more age-appropriate for my younger students when I used laundry baskets instead of coffee cans.
How to play:
- Spread out half as many laundry baskets as there are students.
- Place two, 4-6 inch gator skin balls in each basket.
- Two students begin at each basket.
- On the signal to begin, the two students reach across the basket to give each other knuckles, then compete to see who can bounce the ball three times into the basket first.
- After each round, the pair shakes hands to reinforce good sportsmanship.
- The winner takes a victory lap around the perimeter. The loser immediately searches for another available player to challenge.
2. Laundry Basketball
I introduce this game to my first-grade students toward the end of our throwing and catching unit. It’s a great way for me to observe proper tossing, throwing, and catching fundamentals, fair play, and sportsmanship.
The video includes a thorough explanation of the set-up and rules.
3. Beachball in a Basket
I played this game for the first time this year with my fifth grade students during our team-building unit.
How to play:
- Spread out the laundry baskets, each with a beachball.
- Send 3-4 students to each basket.
- Students attempt to strike the beachball five times before guiding it into the basket.
- Each student must touch the ball at least once.
4. Dirty Laundry with Scoops
This game is extremely versatile. I’ve played it as a cooperative throwing game with my 3rd-5th-grade students and as a team-building game with my first-grade students using scoops.
How to play:
- Set up three zones across the width of your space using cones. Each zone has a point value; zone 1 = 1 point, zone 2 = 2 points, and zone 3 = 3 points.
- Organize the students in groups of 3-4.
- One player begins as the scooper. The other two students each hold one handle of the laundry basket. Their job is to work together to catch the ball thrown by the scooper.
- The team earns points for each successful catch. For example, if a ball is caught in zone 3, they earn 3 points.
- Rotate scoopers after every three tosses.
5. 6 Pillars of Power
The 6 Pillars of Power has without a doubt become one of our favorite games. It’s nonstop action and excitement is unparalleled. It’s another one of those games where I can stand on the sideline and assess sportsmanship, integrity, and throwing and catching fundamentals.
The video includes a thorough explanation of the set-up and rules.
6. Laundry Jam
Laundry Jam an inexpensive version of the backyard game called Kan Jam. We’ve played this as a flying disc game as well as an overhand and underhand throwing game.
How to play:
- Set up two laundry baskets 15-30 feet apart depending on the skill level of your students. Place a flying disc in one of the baskets.
- There are four players divided into teams of two at each set of baskets.
- Members of the same team stand at opposite goals.
- One partner throws the disc toward the opposite goal. When necessary, the other partner redirects the disc toward or into the goal.
- When both partners complete one throw each, the other set of partners then get the disc.
- The first team to score 11 points wins the round (Real Kan Jam is played to 21 points).
Follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/justybubpe.
Check out my Facebook group called Keeping Kids in Motion!
Subscribe to my Youtube Channel for over 100 useful games for physical education!
