Wacky Winter Circuit

Skill: Balance, Catch, Hop, Jump, Run, Throw
Time Required: 20
Activity Type: Physical
Group Size: Large Group, Medium Group, Small Group
Age Group: 6 - 9yrs, 9 - 12yrs
Play area: Gymnasium (large indoor space), Outdoor - Field
Safety Considerations: Remind participants to be cautious when moving and be aware of the personal space of others.
Equipment: Audio equipment and music (optional), 4-6 balls, medicine ball (no more than 10 lbs) (or other), mats
Objective:
For participants to complete the stations listed in the step-by-step section.
Other Skills:
Coordination
Balance, roll, and leap
Strength
Set up:
Set up stations around the activity area.
Divide participants into small groups of 3 to 5.
Step by Step:
Warm Up

1. In groups of 4-6, participants walk in place in a circle formation. Give each group a small ball.
2. When the music starts, participants continue to walk in place as they pass the ball around the circle.
3. Whenever the music stops, the student holding the ball leads the group in warm-up movements that gradually increase in speed and intensity (e.g. walking in place, brisk walking, marching, dancing) and stretches that move the joints through their full range of motion (e.g. shoulder rolls, knee lifts, arm circles, hip circles).

Steps

Assign each group a start point on the circuit. Participants work at the station for 1 minute and move to the next station on your signal.

Station 1: Snowball Push - Do push-ups: 10 against the wall, 10 on the floor, repeat. Push ups can be modified to

Station 2: Skier Jump Rope - Do 20 side to side jumps for slalom, do 20 high knees together for moguls.

Station 3: Sit-ups - Do 25 partial sit-ups on the floor.

Station 4: Super Shuttle Run - Sprint 10 metres from line A to line B; repeat.

Station 5: Snowman Lifts - Lift a ball (medicine ball) from the ground above the head and back down to the ground; have participants keep their knees on the ground. Repeat. To pick up a medicine ball properly, bend down and get in squat position, pick up the medicine ball with two hands, then slowly straighten legs to standing position, keeping back straight. (grab an icicle); repeat.

Station 6: Icicle Jump - Standing in front of a wall, jump to touch the wall as high as possible

Station 7: Cold Seat - Sit with back against the wall, legs at 90 degrees to form a chair position and hold.

Station 8: Jump for Joy - Do a variety of jacks (e.g. jumping jacks, star jump, stride jump).

Station 9: Run for It! - Jog around the area or on the spot; 15 seconds slow, 15 fast, 15 slow, 15 fast.

Cool Down

1. In groups of 4-6, participants walk in place in a circle formation. Give each group a small ball.
2. When the music starts, participants continue to walk in place as they pass the ball around the circle.
3. Whenever the music stops, the participant holding the ball leads the group in a cool down stretch.
4. Encourage participants to stretch large muscle groups and to focus on slow movements.
Variations:
For more warm-up and cool-down activities, see Ontario Ministry of Education, Daily Physical Activity in Schools Grades 7-8, Appendix C or www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/teachers/dpa7-8.pdf.

Use the commands "Pass" and "Freeze" if you aren’t playing music during the warm-up and cool-down.

Have participants create their own stations.

Adaptations (General):
t may be necessary to match a participant with a disability with a partner (another participant or staff member) who can explain or assist with activities (e.g., snow push-ups, snowman lifts, etc).

It may not be possible for all participants with a disability to complete each activity without some form of modification (e.g., running with a guide, different forms of push-ups in place of jumping, etc).

Adaptations (Mobility Impairment):
Keep in mind that participants with a mobility impairment may find stretching difficult due to limited range of motion. Encourage these participants to stretch only to the extent that they are comfortable.
Sources: Ophea