Moving Creatively in the Classroom (PE)

K-5 Challenge Station

By Michele Batz, PhD

This lesson can be done in a large room or gym.

Set up four Challenge Stations in your room with the following:

Station One: Noodles, cones and hula hoops.

Station Two: 4 Decks of playing cards.

Station Three: Print-outs from Partner Exercises found on Google (for gymnastics or tumbling). Paste them into file folders and then you'll always have them.

Station Four: Jump ropes with Partner Challenge (print out Jump Rope For Heart Skills from www.americanheart.org.)

Divide your class into four teams and assign them a station. This is wonderful to use to get your class to work and create as a team. Allow 6-8 minutes at each station before you allow them to rotate to the next station.

To jazz it up a bit, supply a steady beat of music for your students. To further enhance their experience, come in with a hat on, clipboard, whistle around your neck and say, "Welcome students to the Challenge Stations, each station has its own unique challenges and here we go:

At station number one, you have noodles, cones and hula hoops (the more the better) — you are to take those items and make something out of it. Only rule: work together.

At station number two, you will find four deck of playing cards. Use those cards to make a card house. (Explain to them what a card house is, most kids today have no idea…isn't that sad?)

At station number three, you will find folders filled with challenges that you and your partner have to do together. Read the card, look at the diagrams, figured it out…be a detective, find the solution.

Last at station number four, read the challenge and grab the ropes, work together to master the challenges!"

Note: For the younger students, you'll have to demonstrate each station — they'll love you for it! •

© 2010 Michele Batz. All rights reserved.

Michele Batz, PhD, has a masters in Administrative Education and has been an educator for 30 years at the elementary, junior high and high school levels. More »

3/17/10