Keeping Kids in Motion
Building a community where fitness and play are the foundation for all families.
5 Motivating Fitness Ideas for PE – Part 1
Throughout my 20 years of teaching, I’ve steadily grown as a PE teacher through trial and error. I remember my earlier days when each class was kicked off with a warm-up lap and a stretching routine followed by 3-7 more minutes of jogging around the playground. Day in and day out, it was much of the same. Eventually, my students would lose motivation with this mundane routine. Their once steady pace would inevitably slow down before ending up as a slow walk. Frustration would ensue! It didn’t take long to realize that the students were just bored – unmotivated and unchallenged. As mentioned in an earlier blog post titled, Keeping Fitness Fresh in PE Class, diversity is what today’s students crave in regard to fitness. When exercise is viewed by students as challenging, varied, and ultimately FUN, the more positive their experience will be.
Here are my Top 5 Motivating Exercise Routines for elementary school students. They incorporate a range of exercises that drive the students while incorporating the three elements of fitness: endurance, flexibility, and strength. Please feel free to share what works for you, I’d love to add to my repertoire. (BTW – Check out my follow-up post called 6 More Fitness Ideas for PE for more motivating fitness routines).
1. 5-Minute Lap Challenge (Class versus Class)
Prior to the challenge, there’s a discussion on teamwork and how each student has to maximize his/her effort in order for the class to be successful. Each PE class jogs around our small track for 5 minutes. I tally the total number of laps the class completes as a team. After 5 minutes, I take the total number of laps and divide it by the total number of students. This quotient is the average number of laps per students. Each of my classes per grade level complete this same challenge. Following the challenge, I post the results in the gym.
The 5-minute lap challenge is repeated 4 times per year.
2. As Many Rounds as Possible (AMRAP)
Our PE team uses this type of workout often due to it versatility. We simply list 4-8 exercises focusing on different muscle groups. Each exercise is given a certain number of repetitions. The students have to complete the list of exercises as many times as possible in a given amount of time. Often we’ll include skills from the present unit into our list of exercises. We’ll also add a lap around the gym which includes obstacles for further motivation. You’ll see this in the video below.
3. High Energy Tag Games (No Elimination)
Often, you don’t think of tag as an exercise routine. However, there’s no better way to get your heart rate up and activate all the muscles in your body. Just try playing with you students and you’ll quickly find out first-hand. Whichever tag game you choose there should NEVER be elimination. In other words, if a player is tagged, there should always be a quick way to reenter the game.
4. The Race to 500
Do you want to see your students practically fly around the gym? This is another class versus class challenge. Set up a timer so it’s visible to the students. On the coaches command, the entire class runs around the perimeter of the gym. The coach stands at the starting line and tallies each student as they pass. When the class runs their 500th lap, stop the timer. This is their score. Once again we post the scores on our white board to motivate other classes. Depending on the age and number of students and the size of your gym, you can increase or decrease the total number of laps. For example, with a small class of 20 students in a large gym, you might have The Race to 250 Laps.
5. High Intensity Interval Workouts/Tabata
Our students respond well to High Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) workouts. I feel this is mainly due to the variety of movements and exercises you can add to the list. This type of workout is sure to get your students sweating and their heart rates up. Simply create a list of 4-8 exercises. Using a Tabata Timer, students perform each exercise for 20-30 seconds with 10-second breaks in between. Below are a couple of examples.
Finding creative ways to motivate our students is an ongoing challenge. We need to work together to share ideas. These are my top 5. Now I’d like to learn about yours. Please post your motivating exercise routines in the comments section! Let’s work together to keep our students fit and motivated!
Read Part 2 of this post called 6 More Fitness Ideas for PE.
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“What? I’m not cold! It’s HOT outside!”
“What? I’m not cold. It’s hot outside!” If you’re a teacher, I’m sure you’ve crossed paths with this student. The one who refuses to wear long pants and a jacket, despite the temperatures either approaching or falling below freezing. No need for a hat and gloves because as he already mentioned, “What? I’m not cold. It’s hot outside!” Usually a boy ranging from 7 to 12 years old, this little guy will stick out like a sore thumb on the playground. He’s the one dashing around the field and playground, full of vim and vigor, looking like a streaker in comparison to his slower-moving, chilly, yet well-bundled peers. Honestly, upon observing this phenomenon, year in and year out, I just can’t seem to get into the mind of such a student. Is he actually hot? Does he THRIVE on people telling him how CRAZY he is for thinking it’s hot out? Is it all for attention? Is it childhood machismo?
Recently, during afternoon carpool on a cold and windy day, I felt one of my first grade boys staring at me. As I surveyed the rest of the students I could sense that he was looking at me in way that begged me to notice him. Immediately, upon making eye contact with him, he blurted out in rapid fire, “What Coach? I’m not cold. It’s hot out here! Why do people keep saying it’s cold?” It was like his mind had been programmed. His only response to any question would be the same. Teacher: “Do you have your homework in your backpack?” Student: “What? I’m not cold. It’s hot outside.” Teacher: “Do you need to use the restroom?” Student: “What? I’m not cold. It’s hot outside.”
Maybe there are sensory issues involved? Perhaps he doesn’t like the feeling of fabric on his arms and lower legs. Or, he really IS comfortable in his shorts and t-shirt and DOES get overheated with a jacket, hat, and gloves.
At least in my mind, the mystery continues. Have you experienced this child? I would enjoy learning about your experiences with this phenomenon! Now, as I prepare for school, I’ll need an undershirt, long sleeved shirt, hooded sweatshirt, winter jacket, ear muffs, knit hat, wool mittens, thermal socks, boots, scarf, and hand warmers. What? I’m cold! It’s FREEZING outside!
Side note: I realize parents should probably, at least, make sure their kids pack a jacket on sub freezing days. I also understand as a teacher I should make sure my students are dressed appropriately for frigid temperatures. But, honestly, I’ve never been a stickler for making kids wear a jacket and pants. If they’re running around, having fun, and more importantly, don’t appear cold, then so be it!
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30 Day Challenges: Step outside your comfort zone!
Below, is a 3-minute TED Talk by Matt Cutts called, Try Something New for 30 Days. Upon watching this video for the first time, my mind erupted with ideas on personal challenges I could set for myself. Should I cut out certain foods? Challenge myself physically? Meditate for 30 days? Read everyday? Walk the dogs twice a day rather than just letting them run around the back yard? Once I completed my initial brainstorm, I needed to slow down and remember Matt Cutts’ advice. He simply stated, “small change = sustainable.” I realized that setting a reasonable goal would more likely turn into a habit which could last far beyond 30 days.
My 30-day challenge: I am presently on day 16 of running at least a 5K everyday. Although there are days when I just don’t want to run due to weather, fatigue, or schedule, my competitive nature (along with my wife) keep me motivated. During each run, I think about the pathetic excuses I tried to make to not run, celebrate the fact that I can mark another day off the 30-day goal chart, and appreciate the emotional rush (and slight joint pain) I experience after finishing. I also wonder what I’ll do on day 31…yoga, plyometrics, daily naps?
How about professionally? How can I apply the 30-day challenge to my job as a physical education teacher? How can I use this challenge to motivate my students? How can I take advantage of trying something new for 30 days to help bolster my planning and strengthen my curriculum? How will I answer all of these questions in under 30 days?
For now, I’ll continue plugging along on my first challenge. With only 14 days left, I’m hoping to discover my next 30-day challenge at the finish line.
I hope this post has inspired YOU to try something new for 30 days either personally or professionally. Tell me all about it. I could use some ideas.
“Try Something New for 30 Days.” Matt Cutts:. N.p., n.d. Web. 05 Jan. 2016.
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more of what I have to say about physical education and keeping kids in motion, follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/justybubpe.
Check out my Facebook group called Keeping Kids in Motion!