GROSS
MOTOR FOCUS: Walking Variations; Catch/Throw; Fall Sport: Football
Walking Variations
Lecture Notes and Random Activities:
*Let children practice walking on the edges of the shape of the month (made on the floor with masking tape)
*Although I don't know how proficient I've been at spotting them, I was taught that I should watch for incorrect movements when children walk:
Does the child walk with his/her feet too far apart or too close together?
Does the child walk with his/her toes turned in or out?
Does the child walk swinging his/her arms excessively?
*Placing "Stepping Stones" in a pattern face down so the numbers aren't showing will force children to focus more on walking the pattern rather than walking on the numbers.
*Simple cardboard squares with numbers printed on one side can serve as Stepping Stones, but glue some kind of non-skid material on the bottom or always use them in a carpeted area.
*Marching is a variation of walking.
Combining Gross Motor and Pre-Math: Have children walk a line "three" times (or whatever your number focus is for the month).
Character Ed: By the way, when children must wait to take a turn at "walking a line," they are learning "cooperation."
Combining Gross Motor and Language: Have children walk a giant letter of the alphabet (perhaps your letters of the month).
Fall Theme-Related Gross Motor Activity: Create a pathway from fall paper leaves for children to walk.
Creative Drama Combined with Gross Motor:
* Let children do some creative walking to the sounds of classical music.
*How would a ghost walk?
*How would a witch walk?
JoAnna
Clark from New York suggests taking lots of "walking"
field trips--those close to your school. For example, maybe you have
a post office, dentist's office, or grocery store nearby.Catch and
Throw
Lecture Notes and Random Activities:
*The larger the object
being thrown, the easier it is to catch.
*At
first, when objects are thrown at something, that something should be large, near
the child, and not moving in order for the child to be successful.
*The
difficulty of the above activity can then be increased by having the child throw
an object at a smaller target, and/or at a target that's further away, and/or
one that's moving. Activities can be provided that focus on various target
sizes, various distances, or on stationary versus moving targets.
*When
a child (catcher) turns his/her head away from an on-coming object being thrown
for fear of being hit, try reducing the distance between the thrower and catcher.
*Safety Rule to
teach: Make sure that when you throw the ball (or other object) to your partner,
s/he is looking at it.
Combining Gross Motor and Pre-Math: Have
children "catch" or "throw" a ball three times (or whatever
your number focus is for the month).
Character Ed: By the way, when
children must wait to take their turn at catching or throwing a ball, they are
learning "cooperation" and "participation."
Fall
Theme-Related Gross Motor Activity: Let children try to throw and catch nuts
(in shells). You can later let them discuss whether they feel this is harder
or easier than throwing and catching a ball (language).
Fall
Sport: Football
What Is Football?
Because fall is when football season begins, it's a great sport to introduce to
children in an effort to promote participation in sports and doing healthy things
with our bodies. Footballs are perfect for "catching and throwing" as well
as passing.
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Notes/Reminders
from Stormie:
*For those of you who may be interested, I have reserved
a few of my very favorite "football" ideas for my "Fall" booklet
(see "Stormie's Stuff for Teachers")
*Also
keep in mind that: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom
ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you
can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here
to check them out.
OR
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