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Dance Party by Carol Goodrow
The Twist by Taylor
Adult runners can brave the cold with their high tech gear, but it's TOO cold to take the kids out at school for their classroom run. Worse, yet, it's TOO cold for them to go outside for recess. They play quiet games inside. They're not getting enough exercise so what to do? Here are a few indoor ideas for you to try. The kids will have a ball and so will you.
DANCE
1. "Bring in your Chubby Checker CD. Swing your arms back and forth, round and round, and swivel your body down to the ground."
Dance with the kids. Try the Pony, the Bristol Stomp, the Mashed Potatoes, the Jitterbug and lots more. Don't know how to do all the dances? Time to sign up for dance lessons, but anything goes. For something different, make a big circle, call out one child's name, have him/her get in the middle of the circle and DANCE. Everyone claps! Take turns until all the kids get a chance to perform.
JOG IN PLACE
2. "Designate a classroom area as the GYM"
Designate a small uncluttered area of the classroom as the gym. Hand out a few gym passes to each child. Allow kids to go to the gym while they are doing their seatwork. Rules: Only one or two children in the 'gym' at a time. While they are there, they jog for a minute, then return to their seat.
CRUNCH IT
3. "Work on muscle strength."
Take a break and do crunches with the kids. Remember, crunches aren't like the old sit-ups. Just cross your arms over your chest and use your ab muscles to lift your upper body slightly. Use slow and controlled movements. Do leg lifts, and modified push-ups. Practice your numeration skills while you do this. Count up to 20 then back from 20 to 1 or count by 5's, 10's, 2's, or any multiplication pattern that you are studying.
WORKOUT
4. "Movie Time"
Check out a kids' exercise video or simple aerobic video and have fun with your class. The kids will remember this video more than any other you show all year. They'll forget all about the cold, get a great aerobic workout and probably want to borrow the video to take home. Promise them some air-popped popcorn for an after exercise treat.
WRITE
5. "Journal Time"
After each of the above, get out your classroom journals and have the kids write about their classroom fitness fun. You'll find out how special they think this is.
From Taylor's Journal
Divide your hour into 10, 20, 30 minute segments, or go for the full hour. Print and Use this Hour of Exercise Form to record your periods of exercise.NEW for 2003!
7 Day Chart, 7 Hours
Fitness University and the Hour of Exercise
