Float the Pond
You will need: Foam blocks, polyspots, beanbags (optional). Each group gets one more piece of equipment than number of people on team.
How to play: This can be a partner game, a solo game, or a large group activity – and the rules remain the same! players line up at one end of the play area with their 2 lily pads (polyspots, foam blocks, bean bags or pieces of paper). The goal of the game is to get to the other side of the ‘pond’ without falling in the water. To do this, the kids must always be standing on their lily pads even while they reach down and move the other lily pad ahead. Then, they can step on that lily pad and continue this pattern to the other end. If they ‘fall in the pond’ they must do 5 jumping jacks to ‘swim’ back to the lily pads before they can continue. To progress this game, have kids try it in partners or teams of 3 or 4. Each team gets one more piece of equipment than number of kids on the team.
Modifications:
- Use foam blocks to increase difficulty or polyspots to make balancing easier
- If the group needs a challenge, play in teams but if solo is challenging enough, have players move around the space while they get used to balancing on an object
- Play this game easily in a hallway or classroom by using paper to balance on instead of polyspots or cones
Introductory activity
- Bumble Bee Tag
Extension activity
CURRICULAR COMPETENCIES
Kindergarten
Physical literacy
Develop and demonstrate a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify opportunities to be physically active at school, at home, and in the community
Identify opportunities to make choices that contribute to health and well-being
Grade 1
Physical literacy
Develop and demonstrate a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify opportunities to be physically active at school, at home, and in the community
Identify opportunities to make choices that contribute to health and well-being
Grade 2
Physical literacy
Develop and demonstrate a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify opportunities to be physically active at school, at home, and in the community
Explore and describe components of healthy living
Grade 3
Physical literacy
Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to being physically active at school, at home, and in the community
Explore and describe strategies for pursuing personal healthy living goals
Grade 4
Physical literacy
Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to participation in preferred types of physical activity at school, at home, and in the community
Identify and apply strategies for pursuing personal healthy living goals
Grade 5
Physical literacy
Develop and apply a variety of fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity at moderate to vigorous intensity levels
Identify and describe opportunities for and potential challenges to participation in preferred types of physical activity at school, at home, and in the community
Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals
Grade 6
Physical literacy
Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Develop and apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity designed to enhance and maintain health components of fitness
Describe how students’ participation in physical activities at school, at home, and in the community can influence their health and fitness
Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals
Grade 7
Physical literacy
Develop, refine, and apply fundamental movement skills in a variety of physical activities and environments
Develop and apply a variety of movement concepts and strategies in different physical activities
Develop and demonstrate safety, fair play, and leadership in physical activities
Healthy and active living
Participate daily in physical activity designed to enhance and maintain health components of fitness
Describe how students’ participation in physical activities at school, at home, and in the community can influence their health and fitness
Identify, apply, and reflect on strategies used to pursue personal healthy living goals
