Game

Fitness Fun

Play a tag game “Fishy, Fishy, Cross My Ocean,” to recognize how fitness can be fun! 

children and sports equipment

Key Message

Be active and have fun!

Objectives

  1. Recognize that participation in game play is a fit choice and a fun way to engage in physical activity.
  2. Engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity during game play.
  3. Apply a variety of motor skills and movement patterns to game play.

Preparation

  • 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 the Teacher's Guide.
  • Review Rock, Paper, Scissors game play.
  • Determine locomotor movements for game play.
  • Be prepared to demonstrate fitBoost brain break activity and fitFlow yoga.

Warm Up

Begin with a fitBoost.

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Captivate

Say: Show your choice for each “Would you rather?” question by (identify locomotor movement) to the left or right. Note: Use visuals or demonstrate the "Would You Rather" 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)?

Educate

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 choices.

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

The number one thing you need to know is that moving is not just exercise. Choosing to move means being active—and having fun!

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

Activate

 fitGames activity diagram - Sanford fit

  1. Choose 3 or more volunteers 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.

  5. When a minnow reaches the other side, they go down either “beach” (the sidelines). They can choose to move fast or slow 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 participants to improve their individual scores (successful number of times across the ocean) each round.

Close the Lesson

  1. Partner learners. 

  2. Select a fitFlow card 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. Assess understanding 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 fit move choices you make. 
A: Acknowledge responses that include game play and fun activities as well as exercise.

Q: How would you explain fit move choices to a family member?
A: Move many times, many ways, and in many places each day. Make it fun!

Q: What fit move choices will you make today?
A: Acknowledge responses that include game play and fun activities as well as exercise.

  1. Use the Assessment Rubric (see Teacher's Guide) as a checklist to assess understanding, skill development, and personal responsibility.

Challenge

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

What You'll Need

Resources

Materials
  • Pool noodle or soft ball for tagging
  • Cones or Place Markers
  • Optional: Scooters

Health Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Core concepts-Moderate to vigorous physical activity
  • Standard 7: Practice health-enhancing behaviors
  • Standard 8: Advocate for health

Social and Emotional Learning Competencies

  • Responsible decision-making

Physical Education Standards

  • Standard 1: Motor skills and movement patterns
  • Standard 2: Movement and performance skills and tactics
  • Standard 3: Health-enhancing physical fitness
  • Standard 4: Responsible personal and social behavior
  • Standard 5: Value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, social interaction

Extend the Lesson

Adaptations and Modifications

  • To make this an inclusive activity for learners in a wheelchair, use scooters. Learners remain in their wheelchairs.
  • Demonstrate and rehearse the predetermined movement skills for each round of the activity.
  • Adapt locomotor skills and movement patterns to learners' needs, interests, and abilities.
  • Modify game setup so that all children can participate.
  • Play a fit Workout video for activity warm up and cool down.

 

Take me to the full list of fitGames.

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