Concept : Rolling from and to different positions

Purpose : Students will create and practice rolls(forward and backward)from a variety of positions eventually sequencing the rolls into a short routine with smooth transitions.

Grade Level : 3-5

Materials : Floor Mats

Prerequisite : Students should have previous experience developing the tuck forward roll and tuck backward roll.

Lesson :

Task 1 : Working with a partner students are asked to create a forward roll by changing the position of their legs at the beginning of the roll and landing in the same position.

Examples :

• Pike position
• Crossed legs
• Straddle
• 1 legged
• one leg up (as in an airplane stand or arabesque)
• Scissors (feet in a forward and back position)
• Figure 4 (created by a 4th grader this year!)

At the end of a specified time limit ask groups to present their results. Have all of the students practice each new roll at the completion of each presentation.

Task 2 : Challenge the students to start a forward roll with the legs in one position and end with the legs in another position.

ex. Start in a tuck position, end in a straddle position and stand.

Task 3 : Challenge the students to combine three forward rolls, changing the leg position before each new roll.

ex. Start in a straddle position, roll to a tuck position, roll to a crossed leg position and stand.

Points of Emphasis :

• Always insist on quality from start to finish...no sloppiness.
• Reinforce the idea of having a plan before starting the rolls.
• Some rolls are very difficult to stand up from...discuss the starting and finishing positions of each roll.

Variations :
1.Perform the rolls backward from the different positions.
2.Once the students have mastered a roll on the floor mats, challenge the students to perform the rolls on a balance bench and / or beam.

Submitted by :

Jim Ross ( Fizzedcate@aol.com )

K-5

Orchard School

230 Demarest Street

Ridgewood,NJ 07451

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