7th GRADE PE - RISK TAKING & CHALLENGE UNIT

 

Activities:   Each PE class will rotate through six different mini-units which include:

(1)         Rope Climbing               (pages 2-3)

(2)       Trust Falls                    (page 4)

(3)       Human Pyramids             (page 5)

(4)       Cargo Nets          (page 6)

(5)       Combatives          (page 7)

(6)       Juggling                        (page 8)

 

Set-Up:           * 7th grade classes will be sharing the gym at the same time

                        * Each class will experience the same activities but on different days

 

Goals:               * To create a positive and safe environment for every student

                        * For each student to challenge themselves and try new challenges

                        * To work safely and effectively as a group to solve problems/challenges

                        * To have all students experience and demonstrate positive life-skills

                        * To have all students practice and demonstrate trust in every activity

 

Safety:            * Stay in the correct area without disturbing/disrupting the other groups

                        * Stay focused on YOUR CLASS activity

                        * STAY OFF THE EQUIPMENT until instructed to use it

                        * Take each activity seriously and follow the directions exactly

                        * Know and demonstrate the safety rules for each activity

                        * Use all of the equipment properly and safely

                        * DO NOT joke around (that includes your actions and your comments)

                        * No jewelry (it can break or injure somebody)

                        * It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure that all the rules are followed

                        * If you are not sure about something, ASK THE TEACHER FIRST

 

Participation:  * Activities are challenge by choice (but you must participate somehow)

                        * You must do warm ups, cardio, & stretches to be able to do the activity

                        * You must be dressed in your PE clothes to participate (except spotting)

                        * Your grade is based on SAFETY, LIFE SKILLS, and proper SPOTTING

 

Consequences: * Those who fails to demonstrate common sense, safety, trust, and proper technique during the activities will not be allowed to participate.

* Consequences may be given by any teacher

* Consequences may include:

                                  (a) Sitting out of the activity

                                  (b) Loss of activity and/or responsibility points

                                  (c) Referral (for inappropriate behavior or not following the rules)

 

BE SAFE!                CHALLENGE YOURSELF!            HAVE FUN!

 

ROPE CLIMBING

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Common Sense – Following the rules and knowing how high you can safely go

2.     Perseverance – Keep trying, don’t give up, push past your comfort zone

3.     Encouragement – Let the climbers know they are doing a good job

 

B.  SAFETY

1.       It is everyone’s responsibility to make sure their group is following the rules

2.     No jewelry and shirts must always be tucked in (so they don’t catch on the rope)

3.     Only one climber and one spotter at a time at each rope

4.     Everyone else is SITTING on bleacher (or the group loses responsibility points)

5.     Your hands & body will get tired so use the rest time while others are climbing

6.     No climbing EVER without a spotter (or the group will lose responsibility points)

7.     Only climb to a height that you are comfortable with (when tired climb down)

8.     Keep both hands and legs on the rope at all times (except when switching hands)

9.     Do not distract the climber or spotter ever (positive comments only)

10.   Keep your body close to the rope and don’t extend your arms up too high

11.    No swinging the rope (or swinging on the rope) during the climbing activities

12.   If you need a boost up to the first knot, ask the teacher for help

 

C.  SPOTTING

1.       PAY ATTENTION and WATCH the climber at all times!

2.     Hold the rope still and keep it from swinging

3.     Watch where you place your hands so they don’t get stepped on

4.     Always protect the head of the climber (make sure the mat is under them too)

5.     Don’t stand too close to rope when you look up (to avoid rope shavings in the eye)

6.     Move around the rope with the climber so you are always behind his/her head

 

D.  CLIMBING TECHNIQUE – The “Inch Worm”

 

·  Going Up

1.   Walk your hands up the rope using a hand over hand motion

2.     With two hands on the rope, pull your legs towards your chest

3.     Repeat until you reach your height

 

·   Going Down

1.       Slowly lower your body with your legs wrapped lightly around the rope

2.     Walk your hands down using a hand under hand motion until your hands are near your chest and your knees are near your waist

3.     Repeat until you are ALL THE WAY on the ground

4.     NO DROPPING OR JUMPING OFF!

5.     DO NOT slide down

 

E.  LEAD UP ACTIVITIES

- When everyone in your group finishes a challenge, come back and sit down in the middle

- When spotting the lead up activities, stand behind the climber with both hands out under his/her head

1.       Lying down to sitting/standing position (hand over hand)        

2.     Standing position to sitting/lying down (hand under hand)      

3.     Lying down to standing position then back down to lying         

4.     Standing position to lying down then back up to standing

 

F.  CLIMBING ACTIVITIES

1.       Climbing demonstration (student) with the teacher spotting

2.     Students climb the ropes to your comfort zone

3.     For those students who choose not to climb you may choose from the following:

•         Any of the lead up activities (listed above)

•         Getting up on the rope with your feet off the ground

•         Hanging on the rope with your feet barely off the ground (hold yourself for as long as you can without swinging)

4.     After your group has all gone, you may switch ropes to try a different type

 

G.  SWAMP SWING CHALLENGE

1.       Your group starts on the bleacher with their rope – try to get to everyone onto the mat (or inside the hula hoop)

2.     If anyone touches the ground, then the entire group starts over

3.     Make sure you grab the rope high enough so you don’t swing into the ground

4.     Only one person at a time on the rope

5.     If someone lands on the mat and it slides you may move it back to the start

6.     Any person who doesn’t want to swing can choose to start on the mat

7.     Make sure you communicate to each other and watch out so that everyone knows you are swinging or sending the rope to the other side

8.     When your group finishes one challenge, let the teacher know & they will set up the next challenge

 

SWAMP SWING CHALLENGES:

a.      Get the group onto the unfolded blue mat (straight ahead)

b.     Get the group onto the half folded blue mat (straight ahead)

c.      Get the group onto the unfolded blue mat (angled to the side)

d.      Get the group onto the half folded Blue mat (angled to the side)

e.      Get the group into the hula hoop (straight ahead)

f.      Get the group into the hula hoop (angled to the side)

 

TRUST FALLS

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Trustworthy – Demonstrating that you can be trusted by others

2.     Responsibility – Always following the safety rules and techniques

3.     Communication – Talking with your spotters and classmates to safely fall

 

B.  SAFETY

1.       Do not joke around (you would feel bad if someone got hurt because of it)

2.     PAY ATTENTION at ALL times

3.     No jewelry

4.     The only person allowed on the mat is the faller (everyone else stay back)

5.     Do not fall unless there are spotters surrounding the mat

 

C.  LEAD UP ACTIVITIES

1.       Trust Walk

2.     Partner Fall (Chose a partner who is similar size to you)

 

D.  FALLING

1.       Look straight ahead

2.     Cross hands, clasp and bring up through

3.     Keep your body and legs straight as a board (don’t sit)

4.     Say “FALLING” when you are ready

5.     Do not fall until spotters/catchers respond with “FALL ON”

 

E.  CATCHERS

1.       Legs in stride position (one in front of the other)

2.     Knees bent (don’t bend your back)

3.     Have your hands ready with your palms up

4.     Communicate “FALL ON” when it is safe and all catchers/spotters are ready

 

HUMAN PYRAMIDS

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Cooperation/Teamwork – Working together with your group

2.     Communication – Talking with your group in order to be successful and safe

3.     Responsibility – Following the safety rules, watching out for each other

 

B.  SAFETY

1.       No jewelry

2.     Shoes off

3.     Organize your group properly by size

4.     Make sure you have enough space (away from the edges and from other groups)

5.     You must get teacher permission before attempting any pyramid

 

C.  BASE

1.       The bottom support of the pyramid

2.     Stronger/larger people

3.     Position (kneeling): Hands under your shoulders and knees under your hips

4.     When standing, feet spread

 

D.  UPPER PEOPLE

1.       Smaller/lighter people

2.     Need body control, balance, and tight muscles

3.     Be careful where you step on the base people

 

E.  PLACEMENT OF THE LEG OR FEET

1.       Avoid: The spine, middle of the back, kidneys, neck, and head

2.     OK: The hip bones, shoulders, and shoulder blades

3.     When kneeling use the entire lower leg, not the knee

4.     Listen to the base people so you don’t hurt them

 

F.  ENDING A PYRAMID

1.       Climb down slowly and watch where you step

2.     DO NOT jump or push off the base people

 

G.  SPOTTERS

1.       People who are not in the pyramid

2.     Help climbers up and help them balance

3.     Catch or ease a person who is falling (protect the head)

4.     Must PAY ATTENTION at all times and be close to the climber

5.     You may need more than one spotter per climber for some higher pyramids

 

CARGO NETS

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Cooperation/Teamwork – Working together with your group

2.     Responsibility – Paying attention and knowing how high you can safely go

3.     Communication – Talking with the spotters and the other climbers

 

B.  SAFETY

1.       Similar to climbing the ropes

2.     Always 3 points of contact (2 hands and 1 foot or 2 feet and one hand)

3.     Keep your body close to the net (you are stronger that way)

4.     NO body part THROUGH the net

5.     NEVER cross your feet

6.     Climb to your level (if you get tired climb down)

7.     NO jumping off

8.     Do not climb until all spotters are in place

 

C.  SPOTTERS

1.       1 person on each side holding the net still

2.     2 people following each climbers (hands up & protect the head)

3.     Everyone else is outside (and off) the mat

4.     Everyone watches the climber

 


C.  ACTIVITIES

1.       LEVEL 1 –

·  Climb up hands to the red tape                   (LEVEL 1)

·  Climb across to the center

·  Climb down the middle

 

2.     LEVEL 2 –

·  Same as level 1 (red tape)                       (LEVEL 2)

·  Climb all the way across and down

 

3.     LEVEL 3 –                                                                (LEVEL 3)

·  Climb hands to the white tape                                 

·  Climb in the path of the letter “M”

 


4.     LEVEL 4 –                                                          

·  Climb straight up to the top pole                                       

·  Climb straight down                                 (LEVEL 4)

 

5.     LEVEL 5 –                                                          

·  Make letters using students

·  Choose from “A”, “H”, “K”, “L”, “M”, “N”, “V”, “X”

 

COMBATIVES

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Integrity – Playing fair and following the rules of each contest

2.     Common Sense – Making good decisions and following the safety instructions

3.     Respect – Appreciate everyone’s effort and demonstrate good sportsmanship

 

B.  COMBAT

1.       Definition of combat:

(a)  To struggle against

(b) A contest between individuals or a group (using skill and technique)

2.     Some examples include wrestling, sumo, fencing, & martial arts

 

C.  SKILLS

1.       Strength

2.     Balance

3.     Deception

4.     Some activities can be won with balance and deception over strength

 

D.  SPORTSMANSHIP

1.       Play fair by the rules

2.     Give a high five after each contest

 

E.  SAFETY

1.       Follow ALL of the safety rules for each activity

2.     Make sure you have enough space (away from the edges and from other groups)

3.     Do not push or shove someone to the mat

 

F.  CONTESTS

1.       Quick Hands I

2.     Quick Hands II                                 

3.     Thumb Wrestling

4.     Arm Wrestling

5.     Native American Hand Wrestling

6.     Stand Off

7.     Squat Thrust

8.     Leg Wrestling

9.     Push-Up Pull

10.  Flag Pull

 

JUGGLING

 

A.  LIFESKILLS

1.       Patience – It takes time and practice to become a good juggler

2.     Perseverance – Keep trying, don’t give up even if you make a mistake

3.     Organization – Put the equipment away properly when you’re not using it

 

B.  SAFETY

1.       Choose appropriate juggling equipment for your level

2.     Make sure you have enough space around you (control your tosses)

 

C.  POSTURE - Stand in a balanced position with your feet about shoulder width apart

 

D.  SOFT HANDS - Stay relaxed, softly catch the object as if you were catching a raw egg

 

E.  VISION (WHERE TO LOOK)

1.       Use your peripheral vision (try not to watch the objects)

2.     Focus on the apex (top of your toss)

 

F.  THE TOSS - “Pop” the hands up so that the wrist does not break (no spin on the object)

 

G.  SHOULDER POINTS - Aim your toss in front of the opposite shoulder

        (Your right hand tosses to the left shoulder point and vice-versa)

 

H.  TRAY PLANE

1.  When you make a toss or catch, keep your hands in front of you with your elbows at your sides (as if you were carrying a cafeteria tray)

2.     The “tray” plane helps keep you from reaching up to catch the objects

 

I.  WALL PLANE

1.       Imagine there is an invisible wall just in front of you - your toss should go up parallel to that imaginary wall

2.     The “wall” plane helps keep you from moving or running to catch the objects

 

J.  CENTERLINE

1.       When your hand goes to toss to a shoulder point, it will move towards the centerline of your body

2.     DO NOT reach across the centerline to catch an object

 

K.  PATTERN

Figure 8 on it’s side (the infinity sign)