1997-98 Instant Activity Archives

Week 29: March 23-27, 1998

IA Name: Move to the Front

Grade Level: 2-5

Equipment: Large outdoor or indoor activity area, drum

Directions:

After students enter the activity area have them form a single file line in groups of 4-5. The front person is designated as the engine and the last person is the caboose. They should be far enough apart so that they can put their hands on the persons shoulders in front of them. Tell them to keep their eyes up at all times.

On the teachers signal, the engine is to lead the train anywhere he/she wants as long as it is in the designated activity area. Students should try to stay the same distance apart that they started with. Walking should be the only locomotor movement used for this activity--that is until they get used to it! When the students hear the drum (or cow bell, whistle, etc.) that means the caboose is to come to the front of the train and take over as the new engine and he/she can take them anywhere they want in the activity area. This should be a continuous movement with the train no stopping while the new engine moves to the front. Continue this pattern for 3-4 minutes continually changing the caboose with the engine via the drum beat.

Variations:

For the students who do this well and in a safe manner, each time a new caboose moves to the front have them change the locomotor movement (i.e., if it was walking then the new student engine gets to choose skipping, galloping, hopping, etc.). However, running should not be a choice!

Put some obstacles up in the area for the trains to avoid, such as boxes, mats folded up in triangle shape, etc.

Change the size of the groups for more of a challenge.

Safety Tips:

Tell the students that when they are the engine that they need to keep their eyes up to look for open spaces to look for to move their train through.

Tell students that as engines they are not to aim their trains into other trains.

Do not allow the engines to stop at any time. This can cause injury to the other members of the train.

Submitted by Dan Nichols who teaches at Plain Elementary School in Simpsonville, SC. Thanks for contributing to PE Central!

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

FAX: 540-301-0112

http://www.pecentral.org