Gym Blast
Convention 2009
Gym Blast Objective:
Gym Blast is set in large cooperative groups which then work as a team in performing numerous tasks. The teams then compete against the other groups, but in a controlled environment. The various activities that the teams compete in call upon whole group participation, and at other times just 5 or 6 members of the group to perform the task at hand. The emphasis is on fun, cooperation, socialization, and participation for all.
Pre-Organization: ( A week or a few days ahead of time)
1. The students that will be participating in ‘gym blast’ need to be divided into 4 teams. Try to balance out the skill of the four groups. This will keep the competitiveness of the event in line for everyone. If the there are house league teams in your school, these same teams can be used for gym blast.
2. Team leaders should be chosen ahead of time. These leaders will be needed to organize and lead their groups throughout the events. They will be specifically needed to choose people within their group who will be needed to participate in various activities. The leaders need to make sure that they rotate participants to ensure that everyone within the group has a chance to participate equally. Team leaders should be older members of the group.
3. Optional – Each group could have a banner made ahead of time, and hung up in their corner of the gym. The banners could be made during art class, by artistic students, or by other means.
4. Color code the teams. Days before ‘gym blast’ takes place encourage the students to dress in a particular color assigned to their team. This will make it easier to identify other team members or your own team members when doing a particular a large group activity.
Pre-organization (Shortly before the event is to take place)
1. Set out all the equipment needed for the activities. If you have a stage in the gym, it is very convenient to store all the equipment up on the stage. Equipment needed: *this will depend upon the activities that you choose for the ‘gym blast’ session. Below is an example list of what I used for one of my sessions.
2. The gym corners need to be sectioned off as a home base for each of the teams. If you have banners made, then these banners can be hung in each corner. When the teams enter the gym, then they can go to their assigned corners.
3. Microphone system and music: If the gym is set up with an audio system, this will be a great asset, and almost a necessity for ‘gym blast.’ The microphone gives you the control needed to move from one activity to another quickly. Music is not a must, but it does enhance the activities while they are being preformed.
Gym Blast – It’s time for the real thing.
Preparation and Rules:
1. Hand out pinnies
2. Role of team leaders
3. Different activities need different people participating
4. Fun, Co-operation
5. Points – are used mainly as keeping a tight control over the entire group of students in the gym as opposed to determining a winner of the overall event. Try to keep the score as close as possible.
Activities Equipment
1. Make a team cheer (3-4 minutes), then chant - none
cheer. One group at a time.
2. Limbo – 4 lines in single file; each team in a - music for “Limbo Rock”
line by itself. – 4 hockey sticks/ broom handles
3. Ribbon Tag or Gopher Tail Tag - ribbons (football flags) 4 different
*All students at once/or 2 groups colors
4. Chariot Races - 4 individual mats, 4 pylons;
*6 students form each group helmets and capes – optional
5. Team Cheer - none
6. Quadrant Volleyball - 4 large beachballs, 10 pylons
· Students sit inside the designated area.
· They are to sit at random – intermixed.
· They are to hit the ball past the opposing teams goal line while trying to keep the ball out of their own end.
7. Potato Sack Relay - 4 potato sacks; 4 pylons
*One student from each grade
8. Balloon Relay (K-3) - 16 balloons (have extras), 4 chairs
9. Smoosh Race (Gr.4-6) - smoosh boards (4 sets), 4 pylons
10. Team Cheer - none
11. Tire Tube Chain Link - 4 inner tractor tire tubes
- Start with one person.
- That person is to go through the tire tube and pick up 2 people from the other side, and then continue back to the original side to pick up 2 more people and continue the same process until everyone from their team is a part of the human chain.
12. Tire Tube Target - 4 inner tractor tire tubes, 4 utility
*One student from each grade balls/ sling shots
* 2 students from each team to hold tires
Activities Equipment
13. Box Race - 4 large boxes (refrigerator boxes)
* 5-6 people for each group
14. Obstacle Course - open-ended (use your imagination)
15. Tug-O-War - tug-o-war rope
*All team members participate (2 ropes cris-crossed)
16. Team Cheer - none
Other Activities:
Log roll/Skin the Snake
Chair Sit/Jeep Ride
Wheelbarrow Relay
Scooter Push
Scooter Drag
3 Legged Relay
Snowshoe Race
Bench Relay
*The number of activities is open-ended, and there are countless activities that can be used instead of the above mentioned ones.
Resources:
Ready-to-Use P.E. Activities - Book 1 For Grades K-2
Book 2 For Grades 3-4
Book 3 For Grades 5-6
Book 4 For Grades 7-9
Website for Organized Children’s Games: http://home.san.rr.com/rstuff/games/index.htm Games categories include indoor, outdoor, and gym. The games are listed by name and suggested number of children involved. Rules and supply lists for each game are provided.
Extras
Trivia Questions
Points:
-cheer – loudest, best
-group – quickest back to their corner
- quietest
- quickest to get organized
- winning activity
Cup Winner?
Presented by: Laurel Derenoski & Brent Keen
Turtleford School
845-2079