12 Days of Fitness Challenge

One of my struggles as a PE teacher is how to bridge the gap from physical activity in physical education class to getting kids to be active at home with their families. Try having your students participate in a 12 day fitness challenge that starts small and gets bigger each day.

Students start with one exercise on Day 1, then, on Day 2 they have to do the new exercise(s) and the exercise(s) from the previous day. By Day 12, they have to do all 12 exercises! Students that complete the entire challenge can bring in their fitness sheet with a parent signature to get a fitness charm (or other small prize).

Fitness sheet

Variations:

Plug in different exercises or seasonally appropriate physical activities for the 12 days to create new challenges and themes that fit the needs/wants of your physical education program and goals. You could also change the length of the challenge to suit your students needs as well. The options are endless with this kind of fitness challenge set-up.

Bulletin Board Pictures

Beginning Photo

Ending Photo

Close up of Day 1

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

Communicating the rules/expectations of the challenge to students and families is key to its success. I suggest starting with exercises or activities that your students participate in during physical education class so they know how to perform the activities correctly and safely. Also, provide a "how to" exercise resource for families so they can help lead their children and perform the exercises along with their student. For example, post the directions to your school webpage, email parents to inform them of the challenge, and explain in detail to your students showing passion and excitement. Most of all, make it achievable for all students.

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