Meet Me in the Middle

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Grace Malone
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1 Meet Me in the Middle Presented By: SPARK Trainer, John Hichwa The SPARK Programs SPARK-PE

2 SPARK ICEBREAKERS Shake It Up Ready None Set Stand in circle formation with all participants facing in. GO! 1. Our icebreaker today is Shake It Up. You will practice shaking hands properly, learn many names, and a little something about each of your partners. 2. Before we start, let s be sure we all know how to shake hands properly. (Demonstrate the dos and don ts of shaking hands in your community.) 3. On signal, find a person and introduce yourself. To do this, shake hands and share your name as well as an activity or a hobby you enjoy (e.g., Hi. I m Joe and I love to rock climb. ) Keep your name and activity the same throughout. 4. Then, move to another person and repeat. This time, share not only your name and activity, but also the name and activity of the last person you shook hands with (e.g., Hi. I m Joe and I love to rock climb. And that young lady over there, she s Sue and she likes to golf. ) You re thereby introducing them to someone they may not meet personally. 5. Continue until the signal. Always share your name and activity first, followed by the information on the last person you met. 6. Challenges How many people can you meet? At the end, how many can you remember (names and activities)? 7. Think About Learning to shake hands properly is a lifetime skill. Where would this be helpful? Teaching Tip When teaching this to students, demo the dos and don ts in a non-threatening way so they don t feel bad if they ve not been doing it properly before today. Also show the difference between shaking hands of friends vs. those of adults they may be meeting for the first time.

3 LINE DANCE GRADES 3-6 Ready... Music: (SPARK 3-6 Music CD, #7) Music player 4 cones (for boundaries) Set... Create large (30X30 paces) activity area. Scatter students in area Prompt Page (SPARKfamily.org). GO! 1. The object is to perform a line dance using an addon format. 2. On music, move throughout our area. When the music stops, find a partner. 3. This is your Jumping partner. Together, jump 4X and say 5,6,7,8 (4 counts). 4. On music, leave your partner, and move again. When music stops, find a new partner. 5. This is your Grapevine partner. Grapevine step R (step R, L behind, R, touch L) then Grapevine step L (step L, R behind, L, touch R) (8 counts). 6. Move on the music. When it stops, find a 3rd partner. 7. This is your Skating partner. Together, skate slowly by sliding R foot forward, then L foot forward, R foot forward, L foot forward (8 counts). 8. Move on the music. When it stops, find a 4th partner. 9. This is your Hip partner. Touch your R hip with R hand, L hip with L hand, R glute, L glute, clap 2X, Raise the Roof (push hands from shoulders to sky) 2X (8 counts). 10. Move on the music. When it stops, find a 5th partner. 11. This is your Back-walking partner. Together, backward-walk 4 steps, counting 1,2,3,4 (4 counts). 12. Now, we ll play the music, and combine all the steps. The music has a prelude, then on cue, 5,6,7,8, begin jumping. CUES Find partners quickly. Move to the beat. 15 DANCE

4 Jumping Jacks Substitute 2 jumping jacks for 4 jumps. Super Fitness Change steps to the following: 2 jumping jacks; 2, 3-step turns; 2 burpees; 8 skier jumps; and 2 reverse lunges. Your Twist To any of the above variations, add your own twist to the dance on direction changes. Teach this activity to someone at home (your sister, brother, mom, dad, aunt, uncle). Choose your favorite music. One of you stops the music when it s time to work with your partner. You won t have a new partner each time, but take turns inventing a new step. Each time you meet, repeat the steps you have done before adding another. STANDARDS ADDRESSED DANCE #1, 2 Perform line dance #6 Cardiovascular fitness #3, 4, 6 Participates, appreciates, enjoys rhythmic movements Your State (Write in here) TONY S TIPS When all students do the dance together, provide cues 1-2 beats before each move. Make copies of the Prompt Page, and allow students to work independently with the directions in hand. NOTES 16

5 ACTIVITY TURNSTILE MIDDLE SCHOOL Prep 10 PACES Turner 1 long rope (approximately 30') per 6 students 1 cone per group (to mark start line) 1 2 Set Form groups of 6. 3 Turner Place 4 members of group at cone (start line). Set 1 rope per group 10 paces from their start cone; 1 Turner at each end of rope. 4 Teach 1. In Turnstile, the object is for all group members to move through the turning rope as many times as possible without a miss. 2. On signal, Turners turn the rope slowly away from the start line. It should hit the floor, then move away from the entering members. Keep a slow and steady cadence. 3. Runners run through the turnstile 1 at a time. It is a miss if a Runner stops the rope or if the rope turns without a Runner moving through it. 4. After running through, move around the rope and return to the original side. Get ready to go through again. 5. When someone misses or if the rope is turned without someone running through, reset the count to 1 again. 6. Change Turners, 1 at a time, on signal without stopping the rope. 7. Cues Run in just after rope hits ground and get out before it hits again. Keep moving. Don t allow the rope to turn without a Runner. Encourage each other. 8. Challenges Can you have 2 Runners move through together? How many turns can Runners move through without a miss? 9. Think About What is an appropriate reaction when someone makes a mistake? How does this create a safe environment for everyone and help each person be successful? COOPERATIVES 15

6 TURNSTILE EXTENSIONS Multiple Mad Dash Groups of 3 will run under the rope and go through as it is turning. Continue adding 1 for fun to see how large of a group can successfully dash under the turning rope. Jumping the Turning Rope Turners, turn the rope as you would a jump rope. Run in and jump the rope once, then run to the other side as it is being turned. Do you love to ski, snowboard, play basketball, or simply want to jump higher than all of your friends? Practice slalom jumping a line at home. Find a rope of any kind and lay it across the ground. How many times can you jump over it in 1 minute? Keep your feet together and jump fast. Then, try to beat your old score. If you want more of a challenge, raise the line off the ground a few inches. Oh yeah, that burning feeling in your thighs and calves it s a good thing. NASPE #1, 2 Body/spatial awareness #2 Problem-solving #3, 4 Aerobic capacity #5, 6 Cooperation and communication Your State (Write in here) Encourage Turners to turn slowly to ensure more success for all students. Prior to activity, discuss how you can hear and see respect. Encourage students to practice during the activity. Help ensure an emotionally safe environment. Before the activity, discuss appropriate reactions to a mistake. Use music to increase enjoyment and motivation. NOTES 16

7 ACTIVITY POKER ADVENTURE RACE MIDDLE SCHOOL Prep 4 cones (1 each for 4 stations) Judge Poker Adventure Race Skill Cards: Push-Ups, Rock Hop, Jumping Jacks, Curl-Ups (SPARKfamily.org) 1 Poker Adventure Race Task Card per 3 students Judge Judge 1 spot marker per student (for Rock Hop) 2 decks of playing cards per 12 students 4 Shoulder Folders (optional) Judge Set Create a large (400M) loop, placing 4 cones equal distant for the tasks around the loop. See Poker Adventure Race Task Card for task details. Create 4 stations, 1 at each cone using Shoulder Folders with Poker Adventure Race Skill Cards placed in each. See Poker Adventure Race Task Card for task details. Place 1 Judge at each of the stations and provide each with a stack of playing cards. Allow students to create Adventure Racing Groups of 3-4. Provide each group with a Poker Adventure Race Task Card. Teach 1. Today you will use your cooperative skills and improve your fitness in an Adventure Race. The object is to collect as many playing cards as possible and have the best 5-card poker hand at the end of the time limit (simplify by making the object to collect as many cards of the same suit as possible). Give each group member a role before the race. 2. The Rules Follow instructions on Poker Adventure Race Task Card. Groups must stay together the entire race. On your 1 st loop you must run around without stopping at any stations. After your 1 st loop, you will continue, completing all Task Stations for each of the loops made. Get a playing card at each station. Complete as many loops as possible in the time limit. 3. Think About When did your group cooperate and communicate? Did everyone in your group have a role? What was it? How did you encourage each other? 400M COOPERATIVES 23

8 POKER ADVENTURE RACE EXTENSIONS Double 1 Task Every loop your group must perform double the repetitions needed for either the Jumping Jacks, Push-Ups or Curl- Ups Stations. Your group can change the Double-Up Station every loop. Pedometer (Need 1 pedometer per 3 students.) One group member wears a pedometer. Your group will receive 1 extra playing card for every 1000 steps on the pedometer. All members of an Adventure Racing Group have to do their jobs to be successful. The same goes for personal wellness. Three key players include: 1) Physical Activity Get at least 60 minutes a day. 2) Nutrition Eat whole foods like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins. Limit empty foods like soda and candy. 3) Rest Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night. NASPE #1, 2 Exercise techniques #3, 4 Muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular fitness #5, 6 Cooperation, encouragement, following rules, social interaction Your State (Write in here) Have a discussion with the class before the activity on how you can hear and see people showing appreciation toward each other. Encourage them to practice this skill during the activity. Modify tasks depending on student needs. Encourage everyone to jog in place while reading or strategizing. NOTES 24

9 MIDDLE SCHOOL ACTIVITY FITNESS IN THE MIDDLE Prep 40 PACES 4 cones (for boundaries) 1 medicine ball per pair (use utility balls if not available) Set Create large (40X40 paces) activity area. Pair students; partner face-off formation on opposite sidelines. 1 ball per pair; behind 1 partner s feet. Teach 1. The object of Fitness in the Middle is to improve muscular strength and endurance. You do that by completing a variety of tasks in a sequence with your partner. 2. Muscular strength is the ability of a muscle to exert force. When a power lifter lifts a very heavy weight just 1X that is an example of muscular strength. Muscular endurance is the ability to contract muscles many times, or to hold a contraction for a period of time. Keeping your hand raised above your head as long as you can uses muscular endurance. Many movements, exercises, and activities use a combination of both muscular strength and endurance. 3. On signal, jog to meet your partner in the middle, do the task I call, then return to your original line. 4. Each time you meet, I ll add a new task to the old ones. Always do the 1 st task first, then add the 2 nd, the 3 rd, and so on until you have sequenced them all. 5. Task Sequence (Use the following, or create your own. The first few tasks will be repeated many times, so use lower repetitions.) 1. High-ten your partner. 2. Push-ups 2 perfect at your level. 3. Sit-ups Sit feet to feet. High-five R hands, L hands, high-ten both hands. 4. Twist and Turn Bring ball and stand back-to-back. Pass ball around your bodies 4X. (From now on, bring the ball with you and return it to your line. Switch carriers each round.) 5. Bend and Stretch Stand back-to-back and pass ball through legs, then overhead 5X. 6. Back-to-Back Get-Up Sit back-to-back. Keep your feet tucked in close, hook elbows, then push against each other to stand up. 7. Push-up High-Five Face partner in push-up position. Alternate R and L high-five 7X. 8. Forward Lunges Alternate R and L lead leg 8X total. 9. Body Squats Squat until thighs are parallel to the ground 9X. 10. Ball Pass Using a chest pass, pass ball back and forth 10X. 6. Think About How did you and your partner help each other? Why do you think it is beneficial to do workouts with a partner? 40 PACES 23 FITNESS

10 FITNESS IN THE MIDDLE EXTENSIONS Secret Handshake Come up with a secret handshake with your partner that involves an exercise. Do the handshake at the end of every sequence when you leave the middle. Have a Ball (Need 1 ball per pair.) One partner dribbles a ball to the middle each round; incorporate it into each task (e.g., one partner sit-ups with a ball and passes it to the other while sitting up). The Progression Principle in exercise tells us that in order for our muscles to get stronger we have to progressively make our exercises more challenging either with heavier weights or more repetitions. Add more of either to your workout and your muscles will respond with strength and power. So, let s make progress on our push-ups with the progression principle. Say that 5 times fast and then do 10 more push-ups! NASPE #3, 4 Muscular strength and endurance, exercise technique #5, 6 Cooperation, enjoyment, accepting challenges, social interaction Your State (Write in here) Increase distance between partners to increase aerobic activity. To allow students to progress at their own pace, write the sequence on a whiteboard behind each line. Partners read the next exercise before returning to the middle. NOTES 24

11 ACTIVITY PARTNER TAG Prep 4 cones (for boundaries) Set Create large (30X30 paces) activity area. Create pairs; scatter throughout area. Teach 1. In Partner Tag you and a partner play tag with each other. 2. The taller partner is the 1 st Chaser, the shorter is the 1 st Fleer. 3. On signal, the Fleer walks quickly away from the Chaser while the Chaser does 3 jumping jacks. 4. Chasers, as soon as you finish your jumping jacks, try to tag (using a 2-finger tag) your fleeing partner at a walking pace. 5. When the Chaser tags the Fleer, immediately switch roles, then the new Chaser completes 3 jumping jacks before chasing their partner. 6. Think About If this were soccer or basketball, which of you would be on Offense? Defense? To where should the Offense try to move? How should the Defense follow? 30 PACES 30 PACES LIMITED SPACE MIDDLE SCHOOL 9

12 PARTNER TAG EXTENSIONS Change the Task This time I will call new tasks for the Chaser to do (e.g., 3 push-ups, curlups, lunges). Partner Twist and Turn (Need 1 tossable per pair.) Begin by standing back-to-back and passing the tossable around your waists with a twist and turning motion. On signal, (music off, whistle) the partner holding the tossable becomes the Chaser. Do 3 jumping jacks before chasing. If you are tagged before the next signal, Chaser drops the tossable, Fleer picks it up, and roles are reversed. On stop signal, return to Twist and Turn. NASPE #1, 2 Spatial and body awareness, chasing, fleeing, dodging #3, 4 Aerobic capacity, agility #5, 6 Cooperation, accepting challenges Your State (Write in here) Ask students to rate their partner s fairness after a few rounds. Give a thumbs-up if they followed the rules well. Give a thumbs-down if they need some work. If you see a lot of thumbs down, remind students about fair play and following directions. NOTES 10

Taste of SPARK. Presented By: SPARK Trainer, BJ Williston

Taste of SPARK. Presented By: SPARK Trainer, BJ Williston Taste of SPARK Presented By: SPARK Trainer, BJ Williston ACTIVITY MINGLE, MINGLE Ready... 4 cones (for boundaries) Music and player (optional) Set... Create a medium (20X20 paces) activity area. ASAP GO!