Learning Outcome

To introduce the skill of balancing and to combine it with different movement concepts. Students should have experience with spatial awareness and relationships.

Activity Description

1. Students practice balancing a beanbag on their heads (or another body part) while stationary.

2. Students practice balancing a beanbag on their heads (or another body part) while moving in general space.

3. Students practice balancing a beanbag on their heads (or another body part) while moving through an obstacle course set up throughout the gym.

4. Partners. Students take turns being the follower and the leader while traveling through general space with a beanbag balanced on their heads (or another body part).

5. Partners. Students take turns being the follower and the leader while traveling through the obstacle course with a beanbag balanced on his/her head (or another body part).

CUES: No wiggles-have a steady body, smooth (and slow) movements, eyes looking forward and outward (pick a target on the wall).

Suggested obstacles for the obstacle course:

1. Jump rope- Students pretend that the jump ropes are tight ropes.
2. Hula hoops- Students travel clockwise or counterclockwise around hula hoops.
3. Limbo bars- Students travel over or under the limbo bar.
4. Half donut mats- Students crawl underneath the half donut mats.
5. Incline mats-Student travel up or down the incline mats.

Teaching Suggestions:

At the end of the lesson, the teacher will ask students to show their best-balanced positions and will ask the students why those are their best-balanced positions.

Required Material

4 Boundary cone, Bean bags, jump ropes, hula hoops, limbo bars, half donut mats, and incline mats.