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Name of Activity: Fitness Fun With Mats

Purpose of Activity: Be able to cooperate with others in order to accomplish group tasks.

Prerequisites: Some experience with ice breakers, cooperation, or problem solving activities.

Suggested Grade Level: 6-8

Materials Needed: Gym mat per group.

Description of Idea

In groups of 5-10, students work together to manipulate a gym mat. Following are three suggested challenges.

Challenge 1 - Groups of 5 move the mat across gym. Students may not touch the floor and must stay on top of the unfolded mat.

Challenge 2 - Begin with the mat folded and all students on the mat. They must unfold it without touching the floor. If they succeed in unfolding the mat, have the students refold the mat without touching the floor.

Challenge 3 - Groups of 10 (combine 2 groups) move across the gym using two mats.

Following the activity, hold a debriefing session with the groups and discuss communication, cooperation, or other relatd and important topics.

Assessment Ideas:

Encourage them to watch others, take their ideas, but improve on them. Have them write in their journals about how they worked in a group setting.

Teaching Suggestions:

Add more students to a group to make the challenge more difficult.

Designate one section of the mat that may not touch the floor.

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Submitted by Brad Haas who teaches at Belle Plaine Middle School in Belle Plaine, KS. Thanks for contributing to PE Central! Posted on PEC: 10/1/2001. Viewed 75485 times since 8/24/2001.

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Previous Comments:

Fernando
Tuesday, September 23, 2008

Thanks for the idea, i will try it.

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