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Name of Activity: Humphrey Maze Craze
Purpose of Activity: Students will increase their fitness level while increasing their reading comprehension skills by understanding what qualities Humphrey the Hamster used to survive in his hamster world. What qualities would Humphrey have had to have in order to solve the challenges at each of the centers you will face today?
Prerequisites: Students should have read the book "The World According to Humphrey." Alternatively, the PE teacher and the classroom teacher can work together to integrate this activity. Some schools read this book as a schoolwide event.
Suggested Grade Level: 2-4
Materials Needed: Crawl tunnel (like a hamster wheel); hurdles, balance beam, large ball, 18 mats, 2 incline mats, 2 tunnels, vault box, large parachute, beanbags of different colors (8 red, 8 blue, 8 green), cones to secure parachute
Description of Idea Students will go through the various centers to perform the challenges as a hamster might. 1) Set up a series of low cross bars (hurdles). Students crawl under them like hamsters crawl under things.
2) Crawl tunnel. Students use the crawl tunnel like a hamster wheel to exercise like Humphrey would. 3) Balance beam with large ball. Students push the large ball across the balance beam like Humphrey might have to carry his food through a difficult maze. 4) Mat house created with 7 mats stacked overlapping each other. Students crawl in and out and over the mat house as Humphrey would crawl and burrow in his cage. 5) Incline wedges. Students crawl up and over the inclines as Humphrey would to move about his world. 6) Two side by side tunnels. Students crawl in and out of tunnels as Humphrey would to burrow at night. 7) Vault Box. Students climb up and over the box as Humphrey would to climb on things. 8) Spread out large parachute on the floor and place cones on outside edges to prevent it from moving. Place the 3 different colors of beanbags on the opposite side of the students. Students will pick a pathway under the parachute to crawl and end up at the correct beanbag as Humphrey would burrow under things to find his food.
Assessment Ideas: Are students performing the challenges according to how Humphrey would in the book? At the end of the challenge, ask the students what qualities Humphrey would have needed at each center and why? Students could write this in a journal, as well.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities: The design of the centers includes all children.
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