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Name of Activity:

Pick Up Sticks

Purpose of Activity:

To reinforce fundamental motor skills (run, jump, hop, gallop, slide, leap and skip) and exercises-Watermelon Jack (jumping jacks), Cauliflower Power (push-ups), Raisin Bread (sit-ups), Crab-by Kick (crab kick), and Move n’ Milk (walking hands and feet).

Suggested Grade Level:

3-5

Materials Needed:



Poly spots (number depends on the size of the class)
Pool noodles (12-24)
Printed exercise activity cards (included in lesson)

Description of Idea

Poly spots are placed on one end of the activity area (see diagram below). Noodles are placed in the middle of the floor (stacked on each other-two stacks can be created if the class size is larger). Exercise activity cards are placed on other side of the activity area.

Students are separated into teams of three or four. One of the players stand on a polyspot; the other players line up behind the first player.

On a signal, the first player “runs” (using cues previously taught in a lesson) to the where the noodles are stacked (change the fundamental motor skill when new games start-jump, hop, gallop, slide, leap, and skip). The teacher reinforces the cues used to teach the skill of running.

Players try to pick up one stick (noodle) without other sticks moving. If they complete this task, they return their stick to where their teammates are waiting and are rewarded (allowed to go to the exercise activity station and perform “one” of the illustrated activities for “one” minute). As soon as the stick is brought back to their teammates, the next player in line takes their turn by running to the stack of sticks and a try to pick up one stick.

If other sticks move when they try to pick up a stick, they put the stick back and return to their teammates. As soon as they return, the next player in line takes their turn.

The activity continues until all of the sticks are collected by teams.

Diagram

Characters









Submitted by Drew Burris who teaches at La Monte R-IV School District in La Monte, MO. Thanks for contributing to PE Central! Posted on PEC: 4/6/2017.
Viewed 62359 times since 3/15/2017.

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Pick Up Sticks

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