Approaching the Health Unit
I wanted this unit to be more...
In the last couple of decades, we have seen a dramatic increase in children's anxiety, ADHD, obesity, and extracurricular overscheduling.
For a health unit I was teaching in my practicum I wanted to get my grade five students thinking deeply about the function of food, sleep and physical activity. I challenged them to take responsibility for the choices they make regarding their health, rather than relying on parents to
inform them of the importance of their daily lifestyle choices.
A colleague thought that one of my activities in this unit was too advanced for my grade five students. I believe that kids are far more capable than we realize, they only need to be given a chance to prove themselves.
I was thrilled, but not surprised to see how they grabbed onto the opportunity I presented them with and had their own fantasitic ideas, that far surpassed my expectations.
I asked my class, "how would you like to wake up feeling more awake and alive?"
just a few of my Lesson Plans
Health and Lifestyle Introduction
Health and Lifestyle Introduction
Health and Lifestyle Introduction
Physical Activity Challenge
Health and Lifestyle Introduction
Health and Lifestyle Introduction
Using health lessons to allow students to showcase creativity, critical thinking and collaboration
The Steps to Design The Coolest Game or Activity
Step 1. We will read through this sheet together.
Since we know physical activity is something that makes us feel good in our minds and our bodies, and because YOU have so many awesome ideas about how we can be active...you will be creating cool games and sharing them with other pods in our class. Each pod will critique the games that they try out, in order to determine which one they think is the most fun and meets our criteria. The game that everyone likes the most will be played on the last day of this unit.
Word Definition: Critique means to review or examine something critically.
Materials you will need:
Pencil, eraser, one clipboard per pod.
Where are you creating the games:
Aux Gym. Once we have all gone through these sheets we will move to the Aux Gym. You will sit with your pod in one corner or in the middle of the gym. All groups must spread out. Only one pod per corner or the middle of the gym.
How much time do you have:
You will have 25 minutes once we get in the gym to design your game/activity and collect any materials you need from the equipment storage room. If there is time, your group will get to try out your game. If not, your pod will try out your game or activity during our next Aux Gym, then critique it and make any needed changes.
Once you are satisfied that your game is awesome, you will ask another pod to play the game with their pod members and they will critique the game. You will critique their game.
Clean up time: I will tell you when this is before we start, write it here. Your pod is responsible for starting clean up at:
_________________________________________________________
Step 2.
With your pod, brainstorm a fun game or activity that involves at least two people, but can accommodate 4. You can use whatever equipment you want except hockey nets because
we won’t have time. You will write out very clear directions for playing your game. Give your game or activity a name.
The rules:
- Your game or activity must include a warm up component to be done before the main activity.
- Your game or activity must increase your heart rate.
- Your game must have a cool down component.
- You must tell us where injuries could occur and make recommendations for ways the players can avoid injury.
- Your game must factor in an element of cooperation and teamwork.
Tips: Think about what other kids would find the most fun when you are designing your game. Keep it simple but fun.
See SmartBoard for"
Examples of warm up activities:
Examples of cool down activities:
It is important for your muscles to be lightly stretched after you are active. This brings your heart rate back to normal and helps your muscles to not cramp up.
Students become more invested when they are given a chance to create.
YOur Group's creation
The Coolest Game - By _______________________________[put pod name here]
Description of Project/Activity
This project will have participants make their own______________________________________
Submitted by
Materials
Materials used to play game:
- ___________________________________
- ___________________________________
- ___________________________________
- ___________________________________
- ___________________________________
Approximate time to complete game set up
Project Presentation: 30 minutes
Hands-On: 25 minutes
Debrief: 20 mins
Total Time: 75 minutes
Target Grade of Project
Grades 4-6
Individual or Group Activity?
Individual
Potential Risks
critiquing your peer's game
So…which game did your pod like the best? Why?
Please answer the following:
The game my pod thought was the best was:
We liked this game because:
What we found confusing about the game:
This game made us feel: tired, sweaty, out of breath? Tell us.
The warm-up was: good or bad. Why?
The cool down was: good or bad. Why?
Did their instructions clearly address safety considerations?
Clearly explain areas where they had players work together or cooperate:
So awesome!
The grade five kids were so clever and invested in creating a game from scratch, rather than having me dicate the exact "how" of the game.