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N, S, E, W Jump!

Practice geography or math concepts with this activity. A jump means landing on two feet.

• Ask students to stand up.
• Face the front of the room and call that North.
• Call out a direction and ask students to jump to face the direction you call (e.g., East is a quarter-turn right).

To practice math, use geometric degrees instead of geographic directions: call the front of the room "0" and have students jump to 90, 180, or 360 degrees.

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Paper, Scissors, Rock

This exercise is similar to the game you play with your hands, but uses large body movements.

• Write the rules on the board:
  • Paper-Rock: Paper wins, because it covers the rock
  • Scissors-Rock: Rock wins, because it breaks the scissors
  • Paper-Scissors: Scissors wins, because it cuts the paper
• Assign each student to a partner.
• Partners jump three times. On the fourth time, partners make a movement for paper, scissors, or rock. Movements are:
  • Paper: Feet together, hands down by sides
  • Scissors: Open jumping jack position.
  • Rock: Land with one foot crossed over the other.
• Have partners play the game until one partner wins five times.
• Change partners and play again.

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Survivor Challenge

Today's reality shows have physical challenges that usually emphasize mind over matter. Are your students up to the challenge? Have them try:

• Stand up and hold both arms out at shoulder height. Who can hold this pose for three minutes?
• Hold a book between your thumb and one finger. Can you hold it for three minutes?
• Balance on one foot and touch your nose with a finger from the opposite hand---who can stay balanced the longest? Try again on the other foot.
• In push-up position with arms extended, lift one hand off the ground. Who can stay balanced the longest? Try again with the opposite arm raised.
• Stand with slightly bent knees. Who can hold the position the longest without bending more or straightening? Now try it again on tip-toes.
• In crab position (stomach to ceiling, weight on hands and feet), lift one leg off the ground. Who can hold this position for three minutes? Try again, lifting the opposite foot.

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Exercise Please

This activity is a variation of Simon Says.

• Organize students into small groups of 6-8.
• Designate one leader for each group.
• The leader names an exercise and says, "please."
• Everyone in the group performs the exercise until a new exercise is given.
• The leader tries to trick the group by not saying please. Anyone tricked must move counter-clockwise to another group.
• After 3-4 minutes, check to see if any players remain in their original circle.
• Even up the groups and start a new game.

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Top 5 List (Lesson Review)

Help students make a brain-body connection to enhance learning:

• Assign each student to a partner.
• Give the first student 30 seconds to list five important points from the lesson.
• Instruct partners to work together to create and demonstrate an action that can be associated with each point listed (e.g., carbohydrates provide energy = pretend to jump rope)
• Give the second student 30 seconds to repeat the information and actions.
• Have partners switch roles and repeat the activity.

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