1997-98 Instant Activity Archives

Week 36: May 11-15, 1998

IA Name: City Streets/Crowded Spaces

Grade Level: K-5

Equipment: Cones to mark off activity area (these cones form the "city")

Directions:

Before students arrive set cones up to form a rectangle or square. These cones will form the outside walls of the "City". Make the city fairly small so the students will have to be in close proximity when traveling throughout this city.

After the students arrive, ask them to begin walking at a moderate speed within the "city". Tell them to make sure they avoid bumping into others as they are to pretend that they are moving throughout the city that you have created using the cones. (Don't let them make car noises!) Have them change speeds by walking faster and then slower.

Ask the students to freeze and quickly divide the class into two groups. Group 1 is to spread out in the city and freeze. They will be the buildings of the city. Ask them to form a wide, short, tall, skinny, etc. building with their bodies. They can be whatever kind of building they want but they must stay on their feet. On the teachers signal, Group 2 will move through the city and the buildings trying not to touch the building or having crashes with their fellow movers. Increase and decrease speed for more of a challenge. Switch groups after a minute or two of moving.

Variations:

Make area smaller by decreasing the size of the cones.

Make cones an irregular shape

Add more obstacles to make a bit more congested and difficult

This activity is modified from an activity (p. 223) published in the book entitled "Children Moving: A Reflective Approach to Teaching Physical Education (4th Edition)" authored by George Graham, Shirley Holt/Hale, and Melissa Parker. Mayfield Publishing has granted exclusive permission to PE Central to reprint this activity. Further reproduction of this task is strictly prohibited unless permission is obtained from Mayfield Publishers. To order the book (ISBN #0-7674-0067-4) or to seek permission call Mayfield at 1-415-960-3222.

Submitted by Mark Manross who is a doctoral student in the Health and PE Program at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, VA. Thanks for contributing to PE Central!

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