K-2 Educational Gymnastic Progressions - MAHPERD 2018
Introduction
Thank you for taking the time to attend my presentation at MAHPERD 2018 and I hope you found some of the information useful and relevant to you. This was my first ever presentation and I am open to any and all feedback that you might have for me. Feel free to email me at [email protected].
It was my goal to show you some simple progressions that you can add immediately to your educational gymnastics unit whether you are a crafty veteran like myself, a newbie on the block, or anywhere in between. I've been testing and tweaking these learning experiences in my gymnasium for the past 20 years and can wholeheartedly say that they have given my students the ability to see themselves as gymnasts no matter what their level of experience. Educational gymnastics can and should be accessible to everyone, not just the formally trained. I know, teaching educational gymnastics can be intimidating but when you set up a safe, developmentally appropriate learning environment, centered around explicit instruction and comfortable routines, your students can and will be dressed for success! |
Slideshow PDF
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Routine is not the enemy!
When it comes to gymnastics, routines are necessary and comforting for students. They know what they are going to do, when they are going to do it, and also know that if they do what they are supposed to, they will be rewarded!
First of all, let's just talk for a moment about Kindergarten. We all know that teaching Kindergarten in a gymnasium can be like herding cats if you don't have strong management skills (sometimes even if you do) so their routines need to be a little more rigid. Starting with socks and shoes ... walking your students into the gym, down the balancing line until you get to the end, taking off socks and shoes, putting socks inside of shoes, placing shoes against the wall side by side, meeting in the center of the gym for circle time is as explicit and direct as it sounds and it needs to be. They need to learn how get into this routine appropriately otherwise class gets started off on the wrong foot (pun intended) and can quickly snowball into what can be a dangerous environment without control. Those routines remain fairly rigid throughout the lesson for Kindergarten so that they learn how to transition in and out of learning activities, in and out of explore time, and finally into the routine of getting their socks and shoes back on before they line up to leave the gymnasium.
As your students move into 1st and 2nd grade, the routine remains the same but just a little more student directed vs. teacher directed. The routine is:
First of all, let's just talk for a moment about Kindergarten. We all know that teaching Kindergarten in a gymnasium can be like herding cats if you don't have strong management skills (sometimes even if you do) so their routines need to be a little more rigid. Starting with socks and shoes ... walking your students into the gym, down the balancing line until you get to the end, taking off socks and shoes, putting socks inside of shoes, placing shoes against the wall side by side, meeting in the center of the gym for circle time is as explicit and direct as it sounds and it needs to be. They need to learn how get into this routine appropriately otherwise class gets started off on the wrong foot (pun intended) and can quickly snowball into what can be a dangerous environment without control. Those routines remain fairly rigid throughout the lesson for Kindergarten so that they learn how to transition in and out of learning activities, in and out of explore time, and finally into the routine of getting their socks and shoes back on before they line up to leave the gymnasium.
As your students move into 1st and 2nd grade, the routine remains the same but just a little more student directed vs. teacher directed. The routine is:
Kindergarten
Explicitly walk them down the balancing line until you get to the end, taking off socks and shoes, putting socks inside of shoes, placing shoes against the wall side by side, meeting in the center of the gym for circle time. Play name game before introducing today's warm up animal. 1st and 2nd Grade Letting students do this on their own but correcting students who forgot to do what they needed to during the warm-up. |
Kindergarten
Play "Jungle Book". Students travel, travel, travel around the gym without touching anything. When the teacher says an animal, there is an action that needs to be done for 3 gymnastics. One animal is added to the game each week. Animals should be a combination of hanging, balancing, and traveling animals while relating them to gymnastic content. 1st and 2nd Grade Warm ups are travel based but tend to incorporate previous lesson content. |
Kindergarten
Almost always one task with one lesson focus. There is some variability between working individually, working with a partner, and working in a small group each class to help teach and emphasize the social and emotional competencies each one of these situations require. 1st and 2nd Grade Almost always explicit review of the last lesson focus with an extension for some or all of the class. Sometimes and introduction of a new concept. |
Kindergarten
Sometimes called "free time" and a reminder that this is an opportunity for students to demonstrate that they know how to use the apparatus safely. Following the rules for every unique piece of equipment. 1st and 2nd Grade More often than not called "explore time", a time that students can explore how they can use concepts learning in class to the environment around them. Also and opportunity to ask for help. Sometimes "explore time" can be used as a carrot on a stick to get what you want our of the lesson focus. |
Kindergarten
Class stopped 5 minutes early for this. Students can't line up until their socks and shoes are on and tied and/ or secured. Help given to students who need it with reminders about practicing this skill at home. 1st and 2nd Grade Class generally stopped with 3-4 minutes early. Students can't line up until their socks and shoes are and tied and/or secured. Class reminded that if they can't get their shoes on in time, that we'll stop earlier next class. |
Examples of Learning Progressions
Kindergarten
Body Support Spinners
Intro. to Sideways Rolling
Body Bowling
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First Grade
Dicey Balances
Intro. to Forward Rolls
Donkey Kicks
Elevator
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Second Grade
Sticky Landings
Freeze Frame
Donkey Kick or Donkey Kick with a Twist
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