Content Area: Health and Physical Education

 

Index: 2.5B Grade 8 CPI 2

 

Standard: 2.5 - Motor Skills

 

Strand: B -   Movement Concepts 

 

Cumulative Progress Indicator: 2 -  The student will analyze the application of balance and counterbalance when performing or observing movement skills.

 

Grade: 8

 

Sample Activities:

 

·        BALANCING ACT - For this activity, you need a large, safe play area, landing and safety mats, and a handout listing seven to ten specific movement skills (e.g., forward roll to one foot balance, run and jump with a half twist, perform a backwards roll). Students perform several of these skills in combination. Each student selects three to five skills from the list and creates a sequence lasting approximately one minute. (Students can write their sequence on the back of the task list.) Each student develops a sequence and shares it with a partner. After allowing time for practice, each student demonstrates his/her sequence to the class. Students may use music as part of the performance.

Variation: In pairs or small groups, students develop patterns, observe the performance, and use teacher-prepared task cards to provide feedback on the performance.

Variation: Using a task list of mastered skills, students design a movement sequence for the balance beam and present it to the class.

 

·        FITNESS SKILLS - Define, discuss, and demonstrate agility, balance, coordination, reaction time, speed, and power. Divide the class into groups to develop a list of activities and actions that clearly illustrate one fitness skill. Groups prepare a demonstration for the class (e.g., catching a ball requires coordination; running to first base requires speed; returning a tennis serve requires a quick reaction time). After the presentations, brainstorm other movement activities that support fitness and require the use of one or more of the fitness skills. Post chart paper around the room, and allow students to add other activities to the lists as the year progresses.