Grade Level: Middle School (6th-8th grade)
Duration: 60 minutes
Objective:
- Students will understand the importance of flexibility in physical fitness.
- Students will engage in activities to improve flexibility.
Materials:
- Projector and screen for videos
- Laptop or tablet for video playback
- Yoga mats or gym floor
- Access to NetflexKids.com
- Stopwatch or timer
Lesson Outline:
Introduction (10 minutes):
- Begin with a brief warm-up activity that includes dynamic stretching to prepare students for the lesson.
- Introduce the concept of flexibility, explaining that it refers to the range of motion in your joints and muscles.
Video 1: The P.E. Chef Explains Flexibility (5 minutes):
- Show an educational video featuring the “P.E. Chef” explaining the importance of flexibility, its benefits, and how it relates to overall fitness.
Video 2: Yoga Position Hold Game (15 minutes):
- Play a video that demonstrates a yoga position hold game. In this game, students take turns holding different yoga poses for a specified amount of time, and they can compete to see who can hold them the longest.
NetflexKids.com Yoga Activities (10 minutes):
- Provide students with choices of different yoga activities on NetflexKids.com, focusing on poses that enhance flexibility. Instruct them to follow along with the videos and participate actively. Fin one that will meet their needs and peak their interest here 👉https://netflexkids.com/archives/category/yoga
Flexibility Challenge Circuit (15 minutes):
- Set up a flexibility challenge circuit with various stations targeting different muscle groups and flexibility areas. Here are some ideas:
- Station 1: Toe Touches – Reach down to touch your toes, holding for 30 seconds.
- Station 2: Cobra Pose – Assume the cobra yoga pose and hold it for 30 seconds.
- Station 3: Butterfly Stretch – Sit down, bring your feet together, and gently press your knees toward the floor for 30 seconds.
- Station 4: Quad Stretch – Stand and pull one foot behind you, holding for 30 seconds on each leg.
- Station 5: Trunk Twists – Stand with your feet hip-width apart and twist your torso from side to side for 30 seconds.
- Divide students into small groups and have them rotate through the stations, spending a set amount of time at each.
Cool Down and Reflection (5 minutes):
- Lead the class through a cool-down activity, such as gentle stretching and deep breathing.
- Ask students to reflect on their understanding of flexibility, what they learned during the lesson, and how they felt during the flexibility challenge circuit.
Homework/Extended Learning:
- Encourage students to explore and practice flexibility exercises at home or try additional yoga poses to improve their flexibility further.
Assessment:
- Informal assessment through observation of students’ participation and effort during activities.
- Reflection responses from students.
Note: Ensure that students use proper form and technique during all exercises and yoga poses to prevent injury. Provide modifications for students with different fitness levels or special needs, as necessary.
