3-5 PE Lesson Ideas

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Name of Activity: Noodles Can't Balance Educational Gymnastics

Purpose of Activity: To teach students the various concepts they need to know and practice to perform a variety of static balances (tight muscles, symmetrical / non-symmetrical, inverted / upright, couterbalance / countertension).

Prerequisites: Students will need experience with tightening their muscles to make their bodies rigid and capable of balancing. They should also have had some experience with supporting their weight on their hands (fully or partially).

Suggested Grade Level: 3-12

Materials Needed: Gymnastics power point, folding gymnastics mats (1 mat for every 3-4 students).

Description of Idea

Assessment Ideas:

The teacher can take digital photos of the students performing various balance concepts (i.e inverted balance, non-symmetrical balance, etc.) as evidence of learning. The teacher can also place 2-3 pictures on a 1/2 sheet of paper and ask the students to circle the balances that represents the concept you are assessing (i.e. symmetrical balance).

Teaching Suggestions:

Multiple lessons can be formed by using the educational gymnastics power point on PE Central as a guide.

Spotting should not be required. Otherwise, the student is not ready to perform that balance yet.

Adaptations for Students with Disabilities:

Students can perform static balances at various levels (e.g., low level), and can use other students for support in multi-person balances. Students can use the wheelchair or walker of a student to perform counter-balances, etc.