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 on when and how to use it

                        * Take each activity seriously and follow the directions exactly

                        * Know and demonstrate the safety rules for each activity

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

                        * No jewelry (it can break or injure someone)

                        * Long hair should be in a ponytail or pulled back

                        * 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.    You may want to wear sweatpants to reduce the chance for rope burn

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

5.    No climbing EVER without spotters (or the group will lose responsibility points)

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

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

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

9.     You may climb without shoes but make sure shoes & binders are out of the way

 

C.  SPOTTING

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

2.    One spotter hold the rope still and keep it from swinging

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

4.    Everyone else is spotting and following the climber with hands up at all times

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

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

7.    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

4.    Keep both hands & legs on rope at all times (except to move hand up/down

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

 

·    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 on the ground - NO DROPPING or JUMPING OFF!

4.    DO NOT slide down (it will burn!)

ROPE CLIMBING (CONTINUED)

 

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

5.    Hang on rope with feet off the ground as long as you can (no swinging)

6.    Hang on rope with knees pulled to chest as long as you can

7.    Try to do pull ups on the rope

 

F.  CLIMBING ACTIVITIES

1.     Student climbing demonstration with the teacher spotting

2.    Students climb the ropes to your comfort zone

3.    For those students who choose not to climb they may do any of the lead up activities (listed above)

 

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.    Communicate and watch out so that everyone knows you are swinging the rope

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 unfolded blue mat (angled to the side)

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

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.    Do not distract the faller or spotters

 

C.  LEAD UP ACTIVITIES

1.     Trust Walk

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

 

D.  FALLING (partner fall)

1.     Look straight ahead during the fall (don’t twist or look back)

2.    Arms/hands in falling position

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

4.    Say “FALLING” when you are ready

 

E.  CATCHERS (partner fall)

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

2.    Knees bent (squat down to catch and stay low - don’t bend your back)

3.    Have your hands/arms ready

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

 

F.  FALLING (on the mats)

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

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

3.    You may fall backwards only

4.    There is no pushing off or jumping off the platform/bleachers

5.    Look straight ahead during the fall (don’t twist or look back)

6.    Cross hands, interlock fingers and bring hands up through against your chest

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

8.    Say “FALLING” when you are ready

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

10. Keep your mouth closed when you fall

11.  You can close your eyes if you want

12. If you get a headache or feel dizzy then you need to take a break from falling

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.     Do not climb until ALL spotters are in place (group responsibility)

2.    Always keep 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 and NEVER cross your feet

5.    Take your time, be under control (not a race)

6.    Climb away from the edges and watch out for pulley rope

7.    Climb to your level (if you get tired climb down and if you’re tired then spot)

8.    No jumping or dropping off (you can catch you feet/legs in the net)

 

C.  SPOTTERS

1.     Watch the climber at all times (do not distract the climber)

2.    1 person on each side of the net holding the net still

3.    Everyone else is following the climber(s)  with hands up protecting the head

4.    Help keep each other focused and on task

 


D.  ACTIVITIES

 

1.     LEVEL 1 –

·   Climb up halfway                    (LEVEL 1)

·   Climb sideways across & down

 

 


2.    LEVEL 2 –

·   Climb straight up to the top pole                  (LEVEL 2)                      

·   Climb straight down                                      

 

 

3.    LEVEL 3 –                                                                (LEVEL 3)

·   Climb in the path of the letter “M”

 

 

 

4.    LEVEL 4 –                                                          

·   Make letters (Choose from “A”, “H”, “K”, “L”, “M”, “N”, “V”, “X”)

·   If you are sideways making a letter you may only go halfway up

 

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.    Quickness

5.    Some activities can be won with balance, deception, or quickness 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

4.    1 on 1 contests only (no interference from other people & others stay back)

 

F.  CONTESTS

1.     Quick Hands I (don’t need mat)

2.    Quick Hands II (don’t need mat)                                     

3.    Thumb Wrestling (don’t need mat)

4.    Arm Wrestling

5.    Native American Hand Wrestling

6.    Stand Off (watch out behind you)

7.    Squat Thrust (watch out behind you)

8.    Leg Wrestling (only 3 contests per mat at a time)

9.    Push-Up Pull

10. Flag Pull (only 3 contests per mat at a time)

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/RULES

1.     Choose appropriate juggling equipment for your level

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

3.    Your toss should go no higher than just above your head

4.    Individual juggling only (no throwing or playing catch with a partner)

 

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.     Look at the apex (top of your toss)

2.    Use your peripheral vision to see everything (try not to watch the objects)

 

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

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

 

G.  PATTERN

Figure 8 on its side (the infinity sign)

 

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 too high 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 forward 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