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Fitness Zone

Brains in Balance

Brain research indicates that activities including balance, catching a ball, and processing information can improve brain functioning.

Have students find a partner and stand 5-8 feet apart.
Ask a question from the text.
While asking the question, partner 1 tosses object (scrap paper formed into ball) to partner 2 who answers question while standing on one foot.

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.

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.

Four Corners

This activity deals with personal opinions, e.g., the penalties for drinking and driving should be harsher; candy sales should be prohibited as school fundraisers. Place a sign in each corner of the room: strongly agree, agree, disagree, and strongly disagree, along with a movement to be done (e.g., skip in place, jumping jacks, jump in a circle, jog in place). Once the question is asked, students move to the corner they feel best represents their opinion and performs the high energy activity.

Since there may be some discussion after each question, the activity will be somewhat like interval training (high intensity, then rest).