Jumping and Leaping through the Forest

1st Grade Student Jumping over a Snake

The last couple of days we have been working on meeting out learning targets of...

1. Jumping and landing with our feet together
2. Leaping by pushing off our toe and stretching our legs in the air

Our goal is for students to be proficient jumpers and leapers by the time they leave 2nd grade.

1st Grade Student  Jumping over Hills

For jumping, it is important that students start with their feet together and land with their feet together.  We say "Lock, Load, and Explode!" to help students remember to bend their knees and swing their arms to jump higher and further.

When leaping, it is important that students understand that they will take off on one foot and land on the other foot.  Students should push off their toe during take off and stretch their legs as they glide through the air.

K Student Jumping over Mountain

This week we have been jumping through the forest: 

      Jumping and leaping FAR over snakes

      Jumping and leaping HIGH over hills and mountains

      Hopping, jumping, and leaping FAR over rivers 

  


We have had a lot of fun moving through the air in different ways. During all activities we focus on trying our best, challenging ourselves, and keeping our teammates safe. 

K Student Leaping over Mountain

<-------K Leaping Over Mountains!

  

Hoop Jumping

Tuesday we started our Jumping, Hopping, and Leaping Unit.  Students learn how to "lock, load, and explode" their body so they can move high and far through the air. I use this cue to help students remember to swing their arms forward and bend their knees.  Today students created jumping and hopping pathways with hula hoops.  Each team had 6 hoops to use and a cone to mark the start. Then students jumped from one hoop to the next.  Students had the option of moving the hoops further apart for a challenge. Near the end of class, students were able to rotate to other group's pathways and try them out. 

"The Painter and the Elves" by Helen Landalf

Elves Hiding

Beautiful Colors!

Dipping Hands

Today we performed the movement story "The Painter and the Elves."  One night when a painter goes to sleep, she forgets to put the lids on her 

Dipping Elbows

Dipping Bottom

Jog Curved Pathways

Jump Zigzags like Lightning

Polka Dots with Elbows and Knees

paint cans.  Little did she know, some elves would sneak into her room that very night.  This is when the story came to life. The elves dipped their hands in the paint cans and when they pulled them out they were amazed at the beautiful colors.  





After their hands, the elves dipped the rest of their body parts including head, elbows, bottom, and eventually their whole body.  "Let's paint the room and surprise the painter when she wakes up!" one elf exclaimed. 





The elves then painted straight lines, jogged curved lines, and jumped creating zigzag lines like lightning.  Then they moved at a low level, painting the floor with their bellies, backs, sides, and bottom.  They even made polka dots with their elbows and knees.  "Don't forget the ceiling!" one elf shouted as they leaped high into the air flicking paint off of their fingertips. As the sun rose, the elves went back to their hiding places. 








The next morning, the painter couldn't believe her eyes!  Her room was covered in pathways all the colors of the rainbow. "Those naughty elves, I am going to teach them a lesson!"  The painter removed the paint and filled the cans the next night with sticky glue.  When the painter went to bed, the elves quickly stuck their hands in the paint cans but realized they were stuck!  









The painter could see the elves were sorry, so she helped them out and they promised to ask permission before using her paint again.  The End :-)

1st Graders

 At the end of the lesson I asked the students: What do you think the gym would look like if little elves painted pathways during the night?  Students enjoyed using their imaginations to create art.

1st Graders

Shapes and Pathways



2nd Graders Making a 6

 This week, all Physical Education lessons focussed on moving in different ways while in personal and general space.  Our learning goal was for students to demonstrate locomotor movements while using a variety of levels, speeds, and directions. Students also worked alone, with a partner, and in groups to create shapes with their body.  It was fun to see every student use his or her imagination and creativity.

Kindergartners Making a Tree

Students also walked their feet in a variety of pathways including straight, curvy, and zigzag.  Pathway maps were used to guide students from one part of the gym to the other. 


2nd Graders Using Pathway Maps