Creative Movement
I got this from a Nevada-Las Vegas
student teaching page and was afraid that it would be lost forever, because
her e-mail doesn't work anymore, it hasn't been updated in over a year
and the school wouldn't e-mail me back about the student, whom I only know
as Sarabyn. You can check out this website while it is still available
at :
http://www.nevada.edu/home/16/sarabyn/
Thank you Sarabyn whoever you are.
LESSON OBJECTIVES: The student will be able to use twisting, curling, and stretching to change relationships of body parts and body shapes while balancing.
GRADE LEVEL: Third thru Fifth
EQUIPMENT: None
SPACE NEEDED: Large gym or grass area
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT:
Task 1 : Have the students take a balance position that is comfortable but somewhat challenging. Now without moving your base of support, begin with at least one free body part and see if you can take it near the floor and then far away from the floor without losing your balance.
Refinements: A good balance should not fall over. If you have to move try another balance so you don't have to move.
Task 2 : Have the students hold a balance very still where both of their feet are free and in the air. Change the base of support until you can come up with a inverted balance that you can hold very still and lets you hold both feet in the air. Ask the students to see how many relationships they can make with their feet in the air without moving their base of support.
Refinements: Distribute the weight evenly on your base of support. You might have to keep your stomach (abdominal) muscles tight to hold the balance.
Task 3 : Return to the standing position. The next balance is one hand, one knee, and the lower leg. After the balance is established then, carefully twist and curl tosee if you can get your shoulders or back to become the base of support and then hold the balance. Have the students try different ways.
Refinements: Stretch, curl or twist slowly for good control. Remember to hold each balance very still for 3 to 5 seconds.
Task 4 : Have the students start with any base of support. Then have the students practice twisting, stretching, and curling to constantly change the body parts that serve as their base of support. Have the students think of shapes such as: round, wide, narrow, and twisted.
Hints: Encourage creativity throughout the lesson.