Fitness Fun

• Safety: Allow enough space to move freely and minimize collisions. Determine boundaries that are a safe distance from obstacles and walls. 
• Ensure equipment and materials are properly cleaned. 
• Place cones to designate play area; leave ample space on perimeter for learners to return to start line.
• Determine how you will group learners, using best practice guidelines from Effective Strategies for Grouping Learners.
• Review Rock, Paper, Scissors game play.
• Determine locomotor movements for game play.
• Be prepared to demonstrate fitBoost brain break activity and fitFlow yoga.

Begin with a fitBoost.

Say: Show your choice for each “Would you rather?” question by (identify locomotor movement such as hopping, skipping, or bear crawling) to the left or right. Note: Use visuals or demonstrate the "Would you rater" choice.

1. Would you rather do push-ups (left) or play on the monkey bars (right)?
   
   
2. Would you rather do stretching exercises (left) or dance (right)?
   
   
3. Would you rather do breathing exercises (left) or meditate (right)?

Moving does so much for your body and brain! You boost your mood, you recharge your energy, and you are more likely to make nutritious food and drink choices.

Sometimes you don’t want to be active, but when you make it fun, it’s easier to get up and move!

The number one thing you need to know is that moving is not just exercise. Choose to move many times and many ways throughout the day - and have fun! 

Today’s activity is a game called "Fishy, Fishy, Cross My Ocean." It will get you active, and it’s fun!

1. Choose 3 or more learners to be sharks; everyone else is a minnow.
   
   
2. Sharks are in the middle of the play area with a beach ball or pool noodle for tagging. Minnows are at the start line.
   
   
3. Sharks begin the game by saying, “Fishy, fishy, cross my ocean!”
   
   
4. Minnows try to cross the "ocean" (play area), using a teacher-selected locomotor movement, without being tagged. Some movements might include hopping, skipping, running, or jumping.
   
   
5. When a minnow reaches the other side, they go down either “beach” (the sidelines). They can choose to move quickly or slowly down the sideline, but must keep moving forward.
   
   
6. After minnows return to the start line, they attempt to cross the ocean again. Minnows make a mental note of how many times they cross the ocean. 
   
   
7. When a shark tags a minnow, the two play one round of Rock, Paper, Scissors. If the shark wins, they hand the pool noodle to the minnow, and that person becomes a shark. If the minnow wins, they have a free pass to the other side, move down the sideline, and return to the start line.
   
   
8. After 1 to 3 minutes of play, choose new sharks. Option: Change locomotor skill with new sharks.
   
   
9. Challenge learners to improve their individual scores (successful number of times across the ocean) each round.

1. Partner learners. 
   
   
2. Select a fitFlowcard and complete poses.
   
   
3. Discuss play during the game. Highlight the variety of locomotor movements and the low, moderate, and vigorous activity levels performed during game play. Are learners aware of how many ways they moved?
   
   
4. Reflect on the game with the following questions:

Q: Why is playing a game with friends a healthy choice?
A: You can make physical activity fun by playing games. Moving is great for endurance, muscles, and bone strength. And, it’s a great way to motivate your mood!

Q: Name some healthy move choices you make throughout the day. 
A: Acknowledge responses that include game play and fun activities as well as exercise.

Name a fun fitness game or activity that you play with your family.