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How To Teach Gymnastics In Phys Ed Class

How to Teach Gymnastics in Phys Ed  

(Link to Podcast Episode)

Podcast Below: (itunes)

YouTube Show Below:

Resources/Links

One of our favorite units to teach, students are motivated to move and exercise and Gymnastics is a great way for us to practice CONTROL of those movements. We like to promote to students the “WHY” behind what we are doing.  We feel this will give students ownership in their learning. In the end, we want to give students the tools they can use on their own to achieve a healthy lifestyle.

In the Intro, we discuss with our students we will be practicing Flexibility, Strength, and Controlling your body.  We tell them this will translate into all the other sports and activities you enjoy doing.

For a detailed overview of our Unit Check out The Gymnastics 4 Week Overview Here

Intro Video for Gymnastics we use to show all students how awesome and how hard Gymnastics work to be great.

 

Management

  • The only unit we teach where there are separate rules students has to follow.
  • We discuss moving in different ways than you normally do, so if you don’t do them correctly you could injure yourself.
  • Remind students who participate in Gymnastics outside of class to only do the activities we ask you to do.  This will eliminate students injuring themselves because they are practicing moves they do in their Gymnastics class.
  • Make sure to demonstrate how to take off shoes and where to place them.  Especially with younger students, giving them a full demonstration will help classroom management at the end of class.
  • If you can get help from instructional staff that will also help.
  • Most Gymnastics equipment is expensive so take time to discuss taking care of the Gymnastics equipment.

Instagram Live Question: What are some ways to get more class participation? Refer to the “why”… and making the lessons fun!

What would you do with limited equipment?  Check out the Amazon Page for ideas! Or modify and design your own equipment.

  • Converting pieces of wood to balance beams.
  • Using Yoga Mats instead of large mats.
  • Practice balance/ jumping and landing anywhere with minimal equipment.
  • Do a station format, where you incorporate all the content into different activities.
  • Borrowing and sharing equipment with other schools near you.
  • Being an advocate with the administration and district to promote the importance of Gymnastics to your students.
  • Some of the activities in Gymnastics could be performed without mats or equipment so just use your judgment.

Content Breakdown

Disclaimer – We see most of our students once a week for fifty minutes.  Except for Kindergarten, they come twice a week for twenty-five minutes. So each lesson in the unit is taught per week.

Week One – “Why” Management and Rules

  • Discuss rules and expectations.  Then show a quick video for student visual.
  • Travels – being able to move in different ways than you normally do. Students do a Daily Self-Assessment at the end of class based on how much control they have during the lesson.

  • The number of equipment you have and the size of your class will determine how many students are on the mats. We typically have 2 to 3 students per mats.
  • If students can’t function with control then station format with the travel lesson is great to manage students.
  • Link to “Pike Position” another challenge teachers can do to get students to practice control.
  • Showing students how you want them placed on the mats are another way to maintain management with students.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BquwJVSBYpP/

 

https://www.instagram.com/p/BqvI_KAhTQX/

  • Remember to provide options for students, especially for travels where doing them wrong can cause injury.
  • Break out the Cheese Wedge Mat for students who struggle with the momentum of the forward roll.
  • Always provide students the free time to create their own travels or go back and practice the travels introduced. We usually do this at the end of the first lesson depending on time.
  • Click here for Animated GIF’s for Gymnastic Travels.  These are helpful if you have a screen so students can see the movements looping.

 

Week Two – Balance/Jumping and Landing

  • Types of Balance Skills we practice Single Balance, Partner Balance, and Group Balance.
  • If you don’t have a screen, you can have the task cards out and students can practice the cards.
  • If you need a visual for team or group balances, check out BalanceIt App by Jarrod Robinson.  You can also screenshot the images and place them on a slide if you have a screen.
  • Our main focus on jumping and landing is sticking the landing and having a nice soft landing.  Have a student competition for who can have the softest landing.
  • Incorporate jump tricks in the air. (¼ turn, ½ turn, Tuck, Straddle, “X”)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrRF2RlhNxE/

  • Students can move with control around the room to jump and land off different equipment.
  • Balance Challenge for students to see how much control they have.
  • Examples of Jump Boxes. You can always build your own, jump off chairs, benches, or just on the mats.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq7xDcRB96q/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bq-FahfBOjw/

Week Three: Create a Routine

  • We provide students with a worksheet to develop their routine. Write or Draw Routine.
  • Last ten minutes of class students perform the routine for their peers.
  • Having students perform the routines gives the teacher ample time to get specific feedback to the class.
  • Check out SHAPE America Grade-Level Outcomes for more information.

 

Instagram Live Question: Teaching is a stressful job…Do you agree? Marcus: Not really, if you enjoy doing something and are passionate about the work you do, then the stressful parts of the job don’t really bother you.  Ben: First few years can be pretty stressful, as you are trying to figure things out. Experience and planning help to relieve stress as well.

Week Four: Stations

  • Students really love this week!  Check out this video on how we structure our station week. Station Ideas

  • Put together all the content taught over the weeks.  Stations signs, posters, numbers, and cones are helpful to students for where to go and management.
  • Put rules on the station’s signs for students to remember after the explanation.
  • Go over each station, very time consuming, but necessary for student safety.  Once you are finished, the students have the rest of the class to participate.
  • When setting up stations, make sure the teacher is in a position to see all the students.

The overall theme, teach students about control.  “Your Gymnasts are ready”

 

 

 

Have Fun and Teach On!