1997-98 Instant Activity Archives

Week 28: March 16-20, 1998

IA Name: Hospital Tag

Grade Level: 2-5

Equipment: Cones to define the activity area and the Hospital Zone area, cards with physical activities listed on them.

Directions:

For this activity you are going to ask your students to play a normal game of tag. (Please have students move using locomotor movements other than running. Hopping, galloping, skipping is typically a safer and more productive way to complete this tagging activity.) Designate two taggers and the rest will be chasee's. When tagged the students to freeze for 5 seconds, understand they know have a virus that allows them not to move very well, locate you (the teacher/doctor), and then report to you to get the "unfreezing physical activity medication". The teacher should be in the hospital area which is designated by 4/5 cones outside of the tagging and chasing area.

When the students get to you--the doctor--you are to give them a physical activity to do that will cure them of the ailment and then after they complete it they can return to the tagging activity. Assign each student who comes a different physical activity and a different number of repetitions. This is a terrific way to make a personal connection with each student.

Some suggested activities to give out as medication:

3 times around the hospital using a crab walk
Strike a ball with a paddle 5 times in a row to yourself
5 curl or push ups
High five your teacher 3-5 times (make it high so they have to jump)
Move in a Zig Zag pathway down and back to a cone at the other side of the activity area
Use your imagination with these activities and don't just confine yourself to exercises like jumping jacks, etc.

Variations/Teaching Tips:

Keep your eyes on the game at the same time you are giving out the medication. If you get too many students then restart the game or change the locomotor movement so it is a slower game.

Keep the tasks that you give out short and to the point.

When they get to you have 25 cards in a stack in your hands and they take the top one and they have to complete that physical challenge. This may take the pressure off you trying to remember every activity.

Set up two hospitals and have a volunteer, a student who couldn't participate be the person who gives out the medication. You may want to have cards for them.

Submitted by Deemer Durham who teaches PE at Mooreland Elementary School in Carlisle, PA. Thanks for contributing to PE Central!

PE Central
P.O. Box 10262
Blacksburg, VA 24062

FAX: 540-301-0112

http://www.pecentral.org