Book Week Campout

The final day of National Children's Book Week is a special celebration in Physical Education. Students are allowed to wear pajamas and slippers for the Friday Slumber Party. The event begins with students in general space to follow the instructions to the song "Throw Your Teddy Bear". The song gives the students instructions on manipulating their stuffed animals to the music (example: throw your teddy bear and catch it, turn around, turn around, jump, jump, jump...). Students who did not bring a stuffed animal can use a beanbag for the activity if extra stuffed animals are not available. The next activity is the Physical Education equivalent of a pillow fight. Each student is given a feather (the colored type used for crafts). The instructions are that when the music begins (song "Tossin' and Turnin'"), each student tries to keep his/her feather from touching the ground either by hitting it with hands and feet or blowing it up into the air. When the music stops, all feathers hit the ground and are collected and then tossed in the trash (out of student sight). The final slumber party event uses the book "The Napping House" to combine reading a bedtime story with movement. The book repeats and adds a new character on each page. The words are repeated over and over. I assigned each of the repetitive words a movement. The following are the words and the movements:

House - reach to the sky, then touch toes
Sleeping - make sleeping movement (hands folded and tucked under head)
Bed - jog in place
Granny - do the twist
Child - jump up and down
Dog - 3 push ups
Cat - 3 sit ups
Mouse - 3 scissors
Flea - 3 arm circles

The event takes approximately 45 minutes give or take 5 minutes based on number of students participating and the level of instructions needed.

Variations:

If allowed, balloons can be used in the place of feathers; scarves are another alternative.

If students are not allowed to bring stuffed animals to school, beanbags can be used instead.

The movements for the words listed from "The Napping House" can be changed to be developmentally appropriate for older or younger students.

Adaptations can be made on an individual basis for example Froggie Pockets (vest and bean bags) can be used for Teddy Bear Song or a velcro mit and something resembling a stuffed animal which will stick to the velcro, either variation will require a partner or assistant; The Napping House movements can be individualized to fit the needs of the student; the pillow fight activity can be done using a balloon or scarf, if necessary the student with limited range of motion can use a straw and pom pom on the wheelchair tray.

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

I always use the VAK method of teaching fun, quick activities - Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic. I explain it to the students, then demonstrate the correct method and finally give the students a chance to practice as a group and then individually before the actual activity is performed.

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