TECHNIQUE
Today we are going to learn how to perform a gymnastics routine.
IMPORTANCE
Performing a gymnastics routine is important because it helps you develop and improve your coordination, timing, and balance as you transition form different skills.
VOCABULARY
Routine: a combination of a variety of skills (or stunts) on an apparatus such as, the balance beam, bars, or the floor.
When performing a gymnastics routine, it is important to:
1. Know the skills performed in the gymnastic routine.
2. Practice the skills to create smooth movements.
3. Dismount after your routine by keeping your legs together while bending your knees and your arms extended in front of you.
PRACTICE
- Spread out onto the field so that you are at least an arm’s length away from the person standing next to you. I will call out different positions for you to demonstrate.
- Call out a combination of skills.
GYMNASTICS FREEZE
TIME
15-25 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
Music Player
STORYLINE
Today we are going to play Gymnastics Freeze. Your goal is to perform a gymnastics routine while the music is playing.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the game begins, I will choose a song for our gymnastics routine.
- I will give you four gymnastics skills to practice in order while the music is playing.
- Your routine will be:
- Tuck position – egg roll– arch position– log roll– tuck position–dismount
- When you hear the music, begin performing your gymnastics routine.
- When the music stops, you must dismount and freeze.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Game 2: Add on to the routine (ex., log roll– hollow position or pike position– straddle position– tuck). Game 3: Allow students to create their own routines.
Exit Ticket: Students choose three skills to demonstrate in a routine before lining up to leave class.
TEACHING TIPS
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Today I tried by best by...
- I could improve my routine by...
GYMNASTICS STATIONS
TIME
15-25 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
No restrictions
EQUIPMENT
15 short cones
10 dots
4 balance beams
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Gymnastics Stations. Your goal is to practice the gymnastics skills that you will perform in a gymnastics routine.
INSTRUCTIONS
- Before the game begins, decide which station you would like to start in – tumbling, shape, or balancing station.
- In the tumbling station, you will be practicing your egg and log roll form as well as transitioning from each tumbling skill (ex: transitioning from a log rolling into an egg roll).
- In the shape station, you will be practicing different gymnastic shapes on the dots as well as transitioning from the different shapes (ex: transitioning from a tuck position to a pike position).
- In the balancing station, you will be practicing balancing on the beam.
- Once you have mastered the skills at the different stations, you will be ready to begin practicing at the rehearsal station.
- At the rehearsal station, you will put together the skills you were practicing.
- At the end of the game, students who wish to perform their routines may do so.
Game 1: Play as indicated above.
Exit Ticket: Students choose three skills to demonstrate in a routine before lining up to leave class.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Remind students this is not a competition – everyone should focus on their own progress.
- Allow more advanced students to practice skill they may already know.
- Pair up students of different ability levels so advanced students can help out beginners.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Today I tried by best by...
- I could improve my routine by...
BEST IN SHOW
TIME
10-20 minutes
NUMBER OF STUDENTS
4-24 students per game
EQUIPMENT
1 flag per student
5 hula-hoops
10 tall cones
STORYLINE
Today we are playing Best in Show. In this game, you are in a gymnastics competition. Your goal is to go from one station to the next doing performing your gymnastic routine in front of the judge.
INSTRUCTIONS
- I will begin as the judge.
- Before the game begins, everyone must form a single file line behind the tall cone.
- When I say, “GO!” the first student in line will run from hula-hoop to hula-hoop in a zigzag pattern.
- At each hula-hoop, a skill will be assigned.
- If you can perform the assigned skill at each hula-hoop, the judge will give you a ribbon at the end.
- When the first student gets to the first hula-hoop, I will say, “GO!” and the next student in line can begin.
- We will begin a new game when I select a new judge.
Game 1: Play as indicated above. Have students do skills such freezing on a different body parts, a push up, and/or a straddle jump, along with a tumbling skill such as, an egg roll.
Game 2: In between hula-hoops, have students perform their favorite dance moves or make their own skill up.
Exit Ticket: Students choose three skills to demonstrate in a routine before lining up to leave class.
TEACHING TIPS
- Approach:
- Start by demonstrating each of the skills through the course.
- Safety:
- Students need to be mindful of keeping a safe distance from others to avoid collisions.
- ELL Accommodation:
- Post labeled pictures of skills and game play.
- Partner with proficient English speakers for directions/modeling and reflections.
- SpEd Accommodation:
- Set individual goals for physical or behavioral modifications.
- Allow students to demonstrate skill one-on-one with teacher.
- Allow students extra time to master the skill.
- Reflection:
- Today I tried by best by...
- I could improve my routine by...