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I present the long jump rope as the ultimate group challenge. Two rope turners must work in sync, turning the rope together with a rhythm that can be adjusted for the jumper. For more experienced or athletic jumpers, the rope can be turned quickly, while those with less experience may need to slow the rope while still maintaining a smooth, steady turn so the jumper can find their timing.…

I regularly integrate team-building activities into my curriculum to reinforce essential skills like communication, collaboration, compromise, and positive group dynamics. One of my go-to exercises is a game I call ‘SHORE TO SHORE.’ While you may know similar variations, here is how I play it. SHORE TO SHORE Set-up: Create a shoreline on each side of the gymnasium. I use the sideline on each…

Instead of a game of the week, I’m posting a game of the month. For November, I’ve been preaching the meaning of gratitude and ways to demonstrate it with my own kids and students. I personally feel that kids and even grown-ups are appreciative; however, they often neglect to express their gratitude in words or actions. Expressing meaningful gratitude can become a habit with the help of reminders…

The “human knot” is a popular team-building activity that’s great for teaching communication, patience, strategy, and teamwork. It’s a game you’ve likely played or led yourself. I recently introduced a simple 4-person version to my first-grade students. Here’s how it works: a group of four people stands in a circle facing each other. Each person uses their right hand to hold the right hand of…

One of my goals as a physical education teacher is to engage more with my students throughout our lessons. While I’ve always set aside the last 5-7 minutes of class for reflection, our conversations were becoming routine and losing their impact. To address this, I’ve started incorporating short breaks during class to give students a chance to share examples of character traits like sportsmanship,…

In the 1970s, my siblings and I played on the same swing set at my elementary school that my mom had used back in the 1950s. Those swings endured for decades, staying in place until 2005 when they were removed. Everyone loved them. Even during my early years as a teacher in Washington, DC, there was a swing set on the blacktop playground. The swings were always occupied, with students eagerly…

I’ve always been curious. I search for the why. I have a difficult time just letting things happen without wondering. I wonder…a lot. My wife had never heard of so much wondering before she met me. Naturally, I wonder why she never wondered like me. Or does she wonder and call it something else? I wonder about small things. Right now, I am wondering why my dog is whining. She ate, walked, pooped,…

We love this fast-paced indoor soccer game. It includes passing, shooting, defense, ball handling, and endurance creating continuous fun for every student. To begin: Divide the class into four teams. Each team wears a different color jersey and reports to one of the four corners of the gymnasium. Teams set up five cylinders or lightweight cones on the corner lines about 12-16 inches apart. One…

“I’m bored.” “Then go be bored.” my mom would reply. “I’m bored.” “Well hello, Bored. I’m Edward. Nice to meet you,” my dad would say, before turning around to continue whatever he was doing. My wife recalls her mom giving her a list of chores when she whines about boredom. “I’m bored.” “Great! I need the laundry folded, the dish rack cleared, the baseboards wiped, the toilets cleaned, potatoes…

Processing is a critical part of Physical Education (PE) because it helps students understand and reflect on their physical, social, and emotional experiences, which leads to better learning and improvement. Processing provides students with a chance to openly discuss their experiences—both positive and negative—during and/or after a lesson. This conversation can be incredibly valuable for the…

Processing is a critical part of Physical Education (PE) because it helps students understand and reflect on their physical, social, and emotional experiences, which leads to better learning and improvement. Processing provides students with a chance to openly discuss their experiences—both positive and negative—during and/or after a lesson. This conversation can be incredibly valuable for the…

In today’s rapidly evolving world, a love for learning is one of the greatest gifts you can give your children. As a parent, you have the unique role of setting the foundation for your child’s curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptability. By actively participating in their learning journey and modeling a positive approach to education, you can ignite a passion for knowledge that will guide them…

Over the last several years, I’ve become obsessed with using laundry baskets in my program. Not only are they useful storage for equipment but also for using as targets or goals for games. Click LAUNDRY BASKET GAMES to access my Youtube channel playlist . Basket Buddies Points Challenge is a game we play giving students the opportunity to develop their underhand and overhand throwing skills…

Each year during our throwing and catching unit, along with discussing proper fundamentals we also explore strategies to improve accuracy and power. “How can you improve the likelihood of throwing to your partner’s chest?” “How does your technique change to throw at a faraway target?” A game I like to play with First-Third Grade students is called AROUND THE WORLD. Before playing we gather in…

I introduce the Pivot, Pass, Catch relay as another throwing and catching game with the First Grade. The video below shows a bare-bones version of the game. The same setup can be used in more complicated versions using basketball and soccer skills. I like this game since it encourages teamwork, soft, accurate passing, and tracking. Setup: Evenly space lines of 4-5 poly spots. For my class of…

Throughout our early throwing and catching unit, we incorporate a number of individual and partner drills and skills with a focus on proper rolling, underhand and overhand throwing, and catching fundamentals. Later we’ll progress to bigger, and more dynamic group games. MAYHEM is game that works for First Grade – Sixth Grade students. It’s a face paced, exciting game incorporating throwing and…