Where in the World?
grades 3-5

Purpose of Event: The purpose of this activity is to use different balancing skills with the students as they review/learn important facts about each of the continents.

Prerequisites: The students would need a base knowledge of the different continents and the different balancing skills that can be used to travel throughout the space. Have the students draw the continent outlines in art class prior to this activity. The "fact cards" can also be generated during the class social studies lesson to be used in physical education, as well.

Materials Needed: "Fact cards" (easily made by writing different facts on blank index cards...remember that the fact must be unique to that continent so it does not confuse the students), a layout of each continent (easily made by drawing a simple outline of the continent onto a large piece of butcher paper or cardboard for better durability), a variety of equipment that can be used for balancing such as ropes, poly spots, bean bags, balls, carpet squares, etc.

Physical activity: Balance

Try out this wonderful site for learning about the human body!  Each body part or system has its own section as well as an interactive activity and an animated learning movie.  It is much like the School House Rock series in its simplicity and clarity.  Enjoy!

Brain POP

Make A Country
grades 3-5

Purpose of Event:  To allow multiple attempts at throwing and catching skills.

Prerequisites:  Basic throwing and catching skills.

Materials Needed:  Poly spots, balls

Physical Activity:  Throwing and catching.

Brief Description of Activity:  Place a number of color spots on the floor, and label each one as an element of a country, ie.; government, currency, economy, natural resources, etc. Create teams with an even number of students on each, and have them get partners within their teams. Give each set of partners a ball. The object of the game is for players from each team to stand on two spots of the same color, and successfully pass a ball from one to the other. On "Go!" teams decide which of their partners will attempt which colors, and then begin. 

Physical Punctuation
grades K-8

Purpose of Event:  Connect punctuation with movement.

Prerequisites:  none

Materials Needed:  A story book with lots of punctuation marks!

Physical Activity:  Various 

Brief Description of Activity:  Have the students sit on the floor in a random fashion facing the teacher. Give each punctuation mark a movement. Tell the students that each time they hear a punctuation mark, they should perform the accompanying movement. Read a story, and be sure to read the punctuation marks too. Remind students to quickly return to their sitting positions as soon as they can so that the story can continue.