K-2 PE Lesson Ideas

Name of Activity: Climb the Mountain

Purpose of Activity: To get students moving a lot in a short amount of time.

Prerequisites: Students can perform full or modified push-ups, crunches, jump rope, leap, hop, jump, and balance.

Suggested Grade Level: K--5

Materials Needed: Carpet Squares (if needed/desired for push ups), individual jump ropes for roughly 1/2-2/3 of class, 10-20 hula hoops, 4-8 long jump ropes, 6-10 small (6-10") hurdles, 15-20 poly spots, 8-10 cones/domes, cones to mark challenges & course, music to motivate

Description of Idea

Variations:

• For children unable to perform push-ups using correct form have the children get in a push-up position and hold it for 10 seconds. If this is too easy for some children, have them give a friend a "high-5" while staying in the push-up position.
• Students unable to jump rope can jump over a rope laying on the ground.
• Vary the width of rivers, instead of keeping the two ropes parallel to each other. This allows students to choose the part of the river they leap over, allowing for differences in abilities.
• Low balance beams work well for the rocky ledge at the top of the mountain.
• Fun signs could be used for each area to keep with the theme and remind students of their tasks at each “station.”
• Older students have the option of crossing the monkey bars to travel down the mountain. Safety on the monkey bars must be stressed.
• This activity is done outside, but can easily be adapted to an indoor environment.
• This works with older children as well. The focus can be more on fitness stations with less emphasis on the story.
• This works well as a partner or small group activity; to help children work together and avoid leaving anyone behind.

Assessment Ideas:

I use this to assess locomotor skills. Sometimes the locomotor skills are changed if the students need more practice on one or two of them.

Adaptations for Students with Disabilities:

They can do this with a buddy, number of reps can be lowered. If being done on the grass a student in a wheelchair could have their own course on the blacktop that some chosen students do with him/her.