PhysicalEducationGameWordRush

Grades2through5

Materials
Cones

Buckets

WoodenTokens

Sharpie

DirectionsforSetUp
Establishatwentyfiveyardrelaypath.Foreachgroup,placeoneconealongthe
start/finishlineandabucketfilledwithwoodentokens,eachmarkedwithone
letterofthealphabet,alongthetwentyfiveyardline.

Dividestudentsintogroupsofthreeorfourdependingonthesizeoftheclass.
Ensuregroupsaresufficientlysmalltoguaranteeactiveparticipationduringrecess.

DirectionsforParticipation
Dependingontheabilityoftheclass,provideeachgroupwithawordoraskeach
grouptoidentifyawordofthreeorfourletters(oneletterforeachteammember)
dependingonthenumberofstudentsinthegroup.Next,eachgroupwilllineupand
sendonememberatatimetofindaletterneededtospelltheword.Allowthe
studentstodeterminealetterselectionstrategyindependently(selectlettersin
orderorrandomly).Onceateamspellsitsword,allmembersshouldsitdown.
Allowallteamstofinishandthenassesswordselectionandspelling.Eachword
mustbearealwordandspelledcorrectly.Thewinninggroup(firstgrouptofinish
witharealandcorrectlyspelledword)willreceivetheopportunitytodecidehow
manylettersthenextwordwillcontain.Eachwordmustcontainatleastasmany
lettersasthereareteammemberstoensureequalandactiveparticipationforall
students.Toconnecttheactivitytocurrentcontenttheteachermaymandatethe
useofspellingwords,sciencevocabulary,foreignlanguagevocabulary,etc.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringonewordrush.Thenthestudentmayreturntohis/herteamtotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentorphysicaldisabilitymayselectafellowteam
membertoassisthim/herduringeachrelayturn.

ContentConnections
EnglishLanguageArtsVocabulary,Spelling,Writing,CreatingOral,Written,and
VisualTexts
MathematicsNumberSense,Addition(Wordselectionnumberofletters)

*Othercontentconnectionsmayberealizediftheteacherchoosestoincorporate
geographiclocations,historicfiguresorevents(SocialStudies),literaturetitlesor
characters(EnglishLanguageArts),etc.

PhysicalEducationGameCulturalChairs(ARainyDayActivity)

Grades2through5

Materials
CDofculturalmusic
CDplayer

DirectionsforSetUp
PrepareaCDofculturalmusicforamoderndayversionofMusicalChairs.Push
studentsdeskstotheexteriorandcreateacircleofchairsinthecenterofthe
classroom.Thereshouldbeonelesschairthanthenumberofstudents.

DirectionsforParticipation
Playmusicasstudentswalkaroundinsidethechairs.Whenthemusicstops,
studentstrytofindaseatandsitdownonachairinthecircle.Whoeverisunableto
sitdowninachairwillbefacedwithaSocialStudiesquestion.Ifthechildanswers
thequestioncorrectly,thenhe/shewillremainintheactivity.Ifnot,thenthechild
exitsthecircle.Removeonechaireachtimeastudentexitsthecircle.Whenthe
musicisplaying,studentsontheoutsideofthecirclewalklapsaroundthecirclein
theoppositedirection.Continuetheprocessuntilthereisonlyonestudent
remaining.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillreceiveonewarningbefore
beingrequiredtowalkaroundtheexterioroftheclassroomduringtheactivity.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentmaypartnerwithanotherstudentwhowill
serveasaguide.Aslongasoneofthetwostudentsissittinginachair,thentheywill
continueintheactivity.

ContentConnections
ArtsListeningtoMusic,UnderstandingMusicinRelationtoHistoryandCulture
SocialStudiesQuestionscouldbetailoredtotheStandardCourseofStudyforany
oftheabovegrades(2through5)toaddressCitizenship,History,Culture,
Geography,etc.

*ThisactivitywouldbewonderfulduringfourthgradetocoverNorthCarolina
historyandfifthgradetoincorporateUnitedStateshistoryaswellasCanada,
Mexico,andCentralAmerica.

PhysicalEducationGameSocialStudiesCharades(ARainyDayActivity)

Grades2through5

Materials
Paper

WritingUtensil

Hat

DirectionsforSetUp
BrainstormavarietyofCharadesitemsfromtheSocialStudiescurriculumand
recordeachoneonastripofpaper.Foldthestripsofpaperandplacetheminsidea
hat.

Pushstudentsdesksandchairstotheexteriorandhavestudentssitasawhole
classjustinsidethedesksandchairsleavingalarge,openspacetoserveasthe
Charadesstage.

DirectionsforParticipation
Dividethestudentsintotwolargegroups.Thetwogroupswilltaketurnsdrawing
anitemfromthehatandactingitout.AfterdrawingaCharadesitem,eachgroup
willhaveafewmomentstodeterminehowtheywillactitout(withoutsound)
beforepresentingtotheclass.Groupshavetheoptiontoperformoneactionasa
wholegrouporcomposingcomponentpartsforindividualsorsmallergroupsof
students.EverychildisrequiredtoactouttheCharadesitemasdeterminedby
his/hergroup.Asonegrouppresents,theothergroupistryingtoidentifythe
Charadesitem.Studentsarefreetorapidlycalloutideasaslongastheydonotyell.
OnceaCharadesitemisdiscovered,thegroupsswitchplaces.Thisprocess
continuesuntiltheendofrecess.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalkaround
theexterioroftheclassroomfortheremainderoftheCharadeinprogress.Thenthe
studentmayreturntothecircletotryagain.

Adaptations
Achildwithahearingimpairmentorlanguagedisordermayrecordeachguessona
small,handhelddryeraseboardandholditupfortheteacherandotherteamtosee.

ContentConnections
SocialStudiesCitizenship,Community,Geography,Economy,Culture,Realand
FictionalHeroes,NorthCarolinaHistory,UnitedStatesHistory,Politics
ArtsCriticalandCreativeThinkingSkills,OrganizationandDesign,
CommunicatingMeaning,UnderstandingVisualArtsinRelationtoHistoryand
Culture,Improvisation,InformalProductions

*TheCharadesactivitycontentmaybemodifiedtoincorporateanotherareaofthe
curriculumsuchasScience(animals,weather,growth,climate),EnglishLanguage
Arts(literaturetitles,characters),etc.

PhysicalEducationGameQuickArithmetic(AnOverUnderRelay)

Grades2through5

Materials
KickBall

DirectionsforSetUp
Havestudentsformalargecirclewhereeachstudentisstandingbehindthestudent
infrontofhim/her.Eachchildshouldhaveenoughspaceinfrontofandbehind
him/hertoparticipateinanoverunderrelay.

DirectionsforParticipation
Standinginsidethecircletheteacherdeliverstheinstructionsanddemonstrates
howtopassthekickballoverandunder.Thenhe/shepresentsthequickarithmetic
challengeandhandsthekickballtothefirststudenttobegin.Theactivitycontent
willshouldbetailoredtotheappropriategradelevel.Studentsmaybeaskedto
countby2s,5s,or10s.Ortheymayberequiredtocruisethroughtheir
multiplicationfacts.Theteachermaysay,Beginwith2andmultiplyby3.Continue
multiplyingeveryproductby3untilIsaystop.Eachstudentwillstatetheproduct
ashe/shepassesthekickballoverorundertothenextchild.Studentswillcontinue
eachrelaychallengeuntiltheteachersays,Stop.Theprocesswillcontinueuntil
theendofrecess.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringoneround.Thenthestudentmayreturntothegrouptotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithaphysicaldisabilitymaysimplyturnandpassordropthekickballto
continuetherelay.

ContentConnections
MathematicsNumberSense,Patterns,Addition,Subtraction,Multiplication,
Division
HealthfulLivingPhysicalActivity,MovementPatterns,MovementControland
Balance

*Theoverunderrelayactivitycontentmaybemodifiedtoincorporateanotherarea
ofthecurriculumsuchasEnglishLanguageArts.Theteachercouldstarteachrelay
withaspellingwordandrequireeachstudenttostateoneletterashe/shepasses
thekickballoverorunder.Ortheteachercouldselectarelevanttopicandrequire
thestudentstocreateastoryaseachchildstatesonewordashe/shepassesthe
kickballoverorunder.

PhysicalEducationGameSoYouThinkYouCanDance

Grades3through5

Materials
5CDsofculturalmusic
5CDplayers

DirectionsforSetUp
PreparefiveidenticalCDsofculturalmusicandplaceeachoneinsideaCDplayer.
DividetheclassintofivesmallgroupsandprovideaCDplayertoeachgroup.

DirectionsforParticipation
Alloweachgroupfifteenminutestoselectapieceofculturalmusic,choreographa
dance,andpracticeforaperformance.Circulateamongthegroupstoensure
participationandanswerquestions.Wheneachgroupisprepared,calluponone
groupatatimetopresenttheirdance.Eachgroupshouldbrieflydiscussitssong
selectionandtheemotionofthedance.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillreceiveonewarningbefore
beingrequiredtowalklapsduringtheactivity.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentorphysicaldisabilitymayworkhandinhand
withafellowgroupmembertoparticipateinthedance.

ContentConnections
HealthfulLivingPhysicalActivity,MatureMovementForm,MovementControl
andBalance,FitnessandHealthyLiving,Dancing,CreatingMovementSequences,
MechanicsofPerformance
ArtsDance,Choreography,CreatingandCommunicatingMeaningthroughDance,
CriticalandCreativeThinkingSkills,DanceasanArtForm,Performance

*Othercontentconnectionsmayberealizediftheteacherchoosestoincorporate
culturalexplorationsandexperiencesrelevanttotheSocialStudiesStandardCourse
ofStudy.Forexample,infifthgradeeachgroupmaychoosetoexploreaparticular
populationofimmigrantstotheUnitedStatesandcomposeaculturallyrelevant
dancetorepresentthegroup.

PhysicalEducationGameADayattheRaces

Grades2through5

Materials
Cones

PotatoSacks

KickBalls

Spatulas

HackySacks
Ties/BandsforThreeLeggedRace

DirectionsforSetUp
Establishatenyardracepath.Placeoneconealongthetenyardlineandonealong
thestart/finishlineforeverytwostudents.Transportracematerialsoutdoors.

DirectionsforParticipation
Individual,partner,andsmallgroupeventswillbeheld.Duringpartnereventswith
anoddnumberofstudents,askonechildtobethetimekeeper.Duringallother
eventstheteacherwillserveasthetimekeeper.Theteachershouldestablishsmall
groups.Studentsshouldnothavethesamepartnermorethanonce.

Studentswillparticipateinavarietyofracedayeventsincludingbutnotlimitedto:
PotatoSackHop(Partner)
ThreeLeggedRace(Partner)
OverUnderRelay(Smallgroup)
CrabCrawl(Individual,partner,orsmallgroup)
WheelbarrowRace(Partner)
HackySackHopRelay(SmallGroup)Studentshopdownandback
balancingahackysackonaspatulawiththeirnondominanthand.
MedleyRelay(Individualorsmallgroup)mayincludehoppingononefoot,
hoppingonbothfeet,skipping,galloping,sprinting,dribbling,etc.

Thetimekeeper(teacherorstudent)willmonitoreacheventandrecordthe
winningtime(notstudents).Toptimesforeacheventwillbedisplayedoncharts
intheclassroomandutilizedduringmathematicsandhealthfullivingtoidentifyand
discussexistingtrends,discoverthebenefitsofphysicalactivity,graphresults,etc.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringonewordrush.Thenthestudentmayreturntohis/herteamtotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentorphysicaldisabilitymayselectafellowteam
membertoassisthim/herduringeachraceevent.

ContentConnections
MathNumberSense,Time,Patterns,Trends,RatesofChange,Graphs
HealthfulLivingPhysicalactivity,MatureMovementForm,MovementControl
andBalance,FitnessandHealthyLiving,

PhysicalEducationGameStoryTime(AFunActivityinSunshineorRain)

Grades2through5

Materials
HackySack

DirectionsforSetUp
Pushstudentsdesksandchairstotheexteriorandhavestudentsstandinacirclein
thecenteroftheclassroom.Theteachershouldjoinstudentsinthecircletoprovide
instructionsandbegintheactivity.Haveahackysackavailablefortheactivity.

DirectionsforParticipation
Theteacherwillbegintheactivitybymodelingtheprocess.Theteacherwillwalk
intothecenterofthecircleandcreateadramaticsentenceandmovementtobegina
story.Thestudentsrepeatthesentenceandmovementandthenbeginmoving
aroundinacircle(continuouslymovingtherightfoottotherightandthenjoiningit
withtheleft)makingsuretokeeptheireyesonthespeakerinthecenter.The
speakerselectsanotherstudenttosharethenextlineofthestorybycallinghis/her
name.Thestudentsstop.Thespeakertosses(underhand)thehackysacktothe
studentinthecirclewhosenamewascalled.Uponcatchingthehackysackthetwo
studentsexchangeplaces.Theprocesscontinuesuntileachstudenthashadthe
opportunitytoaddasentenceandamovementtothedramaticstory.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalkaround
theexterioroftheclassroomfortheremainderofthestoryinprogress.Thenthe
studentmayreturntothecircletotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithaphysicaldisabilitywhoisunabletotosstheballmaysimplydropit
inthecenterofthecircletobepickedupbythenextspeaker.

ContentConnections
EnglishLanguageArtsOralLanguageComprehension,MakingConnections
throughtheUseofOralLanguage,CreateanOralText,ApplyingGrammarand
LanguageConventions,StoryStructure,etc.
ArtsImprovisation,PresentingInformalProductions,WritingbasedonPersonal
ExperienceandHeritage,Imagination,Literature,and/orHistory,Movement,
Performance

PhysicalEducationGameJumpAround

Grades2through5

Materials
JumpRopes(oneperstudentandonefortheteacher)

DirectionsforSetUp
Distributeonejumpropetoeachstudent.Askstudentstospreadoutsothateach
individualwillhaveamplespacetoenjoytheJumpAroundactivitieswithoutbeing
interruptedbyanotherstudentsflailingbodyoroutofcontroljumprope.

DirectionsforParticipation
First,theteacherdeliverstheinstructionsanddiscussestheconceptofpersonal
space.DuringJumpAround,theteacherwilldemonstrateanactivityandthenallow
studentsthreetofiveminutestoenjoyitontheirown.Activitiesincludebutarenot
limitedto:
Jumpingovertheropeplacethejumpropeontheground.
Jumpovertheropefronttobackwithfeettogether.
Jumpovertheropesidetosidewithfeettogether.
Jumpovertheropeandcrisscrosslegsbackandforthwithfeetapart.
JumpingRope
Jumpropewithbothfeet.
Jumpropeononefoot,firsttheleftandthentheright.
Jumpropeandcrisscrosslegsbackandfortheachjump.
Swingjumpropeunderfeettwotimesperjump.
Jumpropealternatingcrossedarmsanduncrossedarms.
Jumproleononefootwithrotatingcrossedanduncrossedarms.
Skipropetocooldown.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringonejumpropeactivity.Thenthestudentmayreturntotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithaphysicaldisabilitywhoisunabletojumpwillbeaskedtocomplete
aseriesofcorrespondingarmactivitieswiththejumprope.

ContentConnections
HealthfulLivingInjuryPrevention,PhysicalActivity,Skippinginplace,
DevelopmentalMovementPatterns,MovementControlandBalance,Understanding
FitnessandHealthfulLiving,Jumping,Landing,WeightTransfer,PersonalBehavior
andResponsibility

PhysicalEducationGameOodlesofNoodles

Materials
Swimmingpoolnoodles
LargeScissors

Grades2through5

DirectionsforSetUp
Cuteachswimmingpoolnoodleintotwo,twofootsections.Cutthesmall,leftover
sectionofnoodleintofoursmallnoodlestouseasbaseballs,hockeypucks,candle
flames,etc.

DirectionsforParticipation
First,theteacherdeliverstheinstructionsanddiscussestheconceptofpersonal
space.DuringOodlesofNoodles,theteacherwilldemonstrateanactivityandthen
allowstudentsthreetofiveminutestoenjoyitontheirown.Activitiesincludebut
arenotlimitedto:
NoodleBaseballEachstudenttossesanoodleball(smallpiece)andswings
anoodlebat(twofootnoodle)topracticehitting.
NoodleHockeyEachstudentusesasmallnoodleasahockeypuckanda
twofootnoodleasahockeysticktopracticehitting.
LauncherEachstudentholdsatwofootnoodleinonehandandthenhitsit
fromthebottomwiththeothertolaunchithighintothesky.
NoodlePassStudentsworkwithapartnertopracticethrowingand
catchingthesmallnoodle.
FootFencingWithapartner,eachstudentusesatwofootnoodletofence.
Studentsareonlyaloudtoattacktheirpartnersfeet.Whenastudenthits
his/herpartnersfeet,thefencingisover.Thetwostudentsstopandhold
theirnoodlesupuntilotherstudentsbegintofinish.Thenstudentsbegin
changingpartners.Studentsshouldnotenterafencingmatchwiththesame
partnermorethanonce.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillloosehis/hernoodleandbe
requiredtowalklapsduringonenoodleactivity.Thenthestudentmaytryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithaphysicaldisabilitywhoisunabletotossthenoodleballandswing
thenoodlebatsimultaneouslymayuseabattingteetocompletethebattingactivity.

ContentConnections
HealthfulLivingPhysicalActivity,MovementControlandBalance,Catching,
Throwing,Striking,UnderstandingFitnessandHealthfulLiving

PhysicalEducationGameMeasurementScavengerHunt

Grades2through5

Materials
Paper

WritingUtensil
Rulers

TapeMeasures

DirectionsforSetUp
Createavarietyofstepbystepscavengerhuntsandrecordeachsteponasmall
stripofpaper.Eachclueshouldincludeadistancetobemeasuredbythestudents,
suchasthreefeetfromthelargewindow,abouttwoyardsbelowthebalcony,or
sixtyinchesleftoftheslide.Preparethreescavengerhuntsforeachgroupand
deliverthestepstotheirappropriatelocationspriortorecess.

Dividestudentsintogroupsofthreeorfourdependingonthesizeoftheclass.

DirectionsforParticipation
Tobegin,theteacherdeliverstheinstructionsandinformsstudentstheywillhave
tenminutestocompleteeachscavengerhunt.He/Shemodelshowtoreadand
followascavengerhuntclue,takeameasurement,andrecordthedata.Sheinforms
studentstheywillberequiredtomeasureandrecordexactdistancesforthe
purposeofdiscussingunitsofmeasurementduringmathematics.Thentheteacher
deliversthefirststepofascavengerhunttoeachgroupandencouragesthemtoget
started.Theteachershouldcirculatethroughouteachscavengerhunttoensure
activeparticipationandanswerquestions.Aseachgroupfinishesonescavenger
hunt,theteacherwillprovidethemwiththefirststepofanotherscavengerhuntto
begin.Theprocesscontinuesuntileachgrouphascompleteditsthreescavenger
hunts.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringonescavengerhunt.Thenthestudentmayreturntohis/hergrouptotry
again.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentorphysicaldisabilitymayworkwithafellow
teammembertomeasuredistances.

ContentConnections
MathematicsNumberSense,Length,Measurement,UnitsofMeasurement
EnglishLanguageArtsReadingWrittenText
*SocialStudiescontentconnectionsmayberealizediftheteacherchoosesto
incorporategeographiclocations,historicfigures,orculturalevents.

PhysicalEducationGameDodgeball

Grades3through5

Materials
Kickballorlarge,roundNerfball(dependingontheageanddexterityofthe
students)

DirectionsforSetUp
Havestudentsformalargecircleandextendtheirarmstoensuretheyareafull
wingspanapart.Theteachershouldaskforavolunteertoenterthecircleandbegin
thegame.

DirectionsforParticipation
Beforeplaying,theteacherdeliverstheinstructionsandgamerules.Studentsare
onlyallowedtothrowtheballattheindividualinsidethecircle.Additionally,
studentsareonlyallowedtothrowtheballatthestudentsfeet.Forstudentsinthe
exteriorcircle,theobjectiveistohitthefeetofthestudentinsidethecircle.Forthe
studentinsidethecircle,theobjectiveistododgethebarrageofshotsbeingthrown
byclassmates.Whenthestudentinsidethecirclereceivesablowtothefeet,he/she
mustreturntotheexteriorcircletocontinueplay.Thestudentwhothrewtheball
thatsuccessfullyhitaclassmatesfeetshouldthenmoveinsidethecircletododge
balls.Theprocesscontinuesuntiltheendofrecess.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklapsfor
theremainderofrecess.TherewillbeNOwarningsissuedduringthisactivityas
hurtfulorunfairplaycouldresultinaninjury.

Adaptations
Astudentwithavisualimpairmentwillplayfromtheexteriorofthecircleonly.This
studentwillnotbeexpectedtododgeballs.

ContentConnections
HealthfulLivingRespect,InjuryPrevention,PhysicalActivity,MovementControl
andBalance,Throwing,UnderstandingFitnessandHealthfulLiving,Understanding
HealthyCompetition,Jumping,Landing,WeightTransfer,PersonalBehaviorand
Responsibility

PhysicalEducationGameKnockout

Grades3through5

Materials
2BasketballGoals
4Basketballs

DirectionsforSetUp
Dividetheclassintotwolargegroups.Sendthetwogroupstooppositeendsofthe
courtandhavestudentslineupbehindthefreethrowline.

DirectionsforParticipation
Tobegin,theteacherdeliversinstructionsandmodelstheprocess.Next,he/she
makessurestudentsarelinedupproperlyandthenhandsabasketballtothefirst
twostudentsinlineoneithersideandsays,Gotostartthegame.Eachchildbegins
his/herturnbyshootingafreethrow.Ifthestudentmakestheshot,he/shethen
reboundstheballandpassesittothenextpersoninline.Ifthestudentdoesnot
makethefreethrow,thenhe/shemustreboundtheballandcontinueshootingfrom
anywhereonthecourtuntilashotismadeorthenextpersoninlinemakesa
basket.Assoonasoneplayershoots,theplayerbehindhim/hermaybegin
shooting.Theobjectiveistomakeafreethroworanyothershotbeforethenext
playermakesashottoavoidbeingeliminated.Ifthenextplayermakesashotfirst,
thenthestudentwhoshotfirstiseliminated.Thegamecontinuesuntilonlyone
studentisleftstanding.Atthispoint,thegamebeginsagain;andtheprocess
continuesuntiltheendofrecess.

*Theteachermaymixthestudentsupintonewgroupsaftereachgameofknockout
ifhe/shechoosestodoso.

*Astudentwhoisunabletoparticipateresponsiblywillberequiredtowalklaps
duringoneknockoutgame.Thenthestudentmayreturntotryagain.

Adaptations
Astudentwithaphysicaldisabilitywhoisunabletoshoottheballhighenoughto
reachthebasketfromthefreethrowlinemayinsteadpasstheballtoaclassmate
whowillshootthefirstshotforhim/her.

ContentConnections
HealthfulLivingPhysicalActivity,MovementControlandBalance,Catching,
Throwing,UnderstandingFitnessandHealthfulLiving