No Gym.... No Problem!
This page is dedicated to coming up with creative ways to maximize Health and PE class with limited space, equipment, and no Gym!
Do you ever lose your Gym for:
An Assembly
Picture Day
Election Day
School-Wide Events
Any other Reason?
Do you ever lose your Gym for:
An Assembly
Picture Day
Election Day
School-Wide Events
Any other Reason?
Limited Space Activities
Little to No Equipment Needed
Warm-Ups
Fitness
Yoga
Cross-Curricular
Skill Progressions
Main Activities
Little to No Equipment Needed
Warm-Ups
Fitness
Yoga
Cross-Curricular
Skill Progressions
Main Activities
BRAIN PE
The products below incorporate CORE subject areas into Health and Physical Education classes and require little space and maximum participation.
Cup Stacking
When I first started teaching I was cleaning out my gym closet and I came across a box filled with blue cups. I thought to myself, why would cups be in this closet and I ignored them as they collected dust for a few years. Then, one day I decided to throw them into a lesson and I was amazed at how much students enjoyed stacking and down stacking cups. Literally, stacking and unstacking small cups! I was blown away at how simple, yet powerful they were. I watched students who weren't the most athletic become PE Superstars. All it took were cups! Small blue cups! Once I saw the potential they had on my class and our school, I began to learn more about how I could implement them in stations, warm-ups, and into their very own unit. Fast forward to present day, and my cup stacking unit is one of the most exciting, school-wide anticipated, and enjoyable unit that I am able to teach to my students. This page is dedicated to some awesome activities I have learned, adapted, and created over the years. So, go through your gym closet and see what has dust on it, break it out, and see how your students react!
Here are some Awesome Cup Stacking Activities that can be used as part of stations, warm-ups, or main activities!
1. Cup Stack Relays- Students in small groups (4-5) at one end of the playing area, large amount of colored cups Each group will have 12 cups/ buckets in front of their group. On the signal the first player in line will run out and collect a card and bring it back to their group. Their group must work together to stack the cups so it looks like the picture. They will keep the card that represents their point total. They down stack the pile into 1 and the next player in line runs out to collect another card. Adaptations/Tips: 1) Have students travel using different locomotor patterns 2) Complicate pat- terns by stacking the cups 3) Use task cards for each group with a variety of patterns to engage and challenge students. See how many each group can complete before time is over. Variation- number each formation and once all groups have completed all 12 have them with their group create the number you call out. The group that finishes last performs laps/jumps rope while the other teams are competing to see who can do it the fastest. (use the pictures from the linked picture below- FREE)
2. Egyptians vs. Builders- Activity with two teams. One team is creating pyramids 2 on bottom and 1 on top with cups while other team are creating towers with one, one, one straight up. Goal is to create more of pyramids or towers depending upon team. Teams see who can have the most at the end of the time limit. Switch roles and keep track after each round. (Variation- same concept, but 2 teams of Uppers (up stack) and 1 team of Downers (down stack)
3. Partner Cup Stacking- players will take turns cup stacking 3, 6, 3 formationsFacing each other partners take turns/collectively by using:
Right hand only
Left hand only
Push up position
Planking position
Eyes closed
Together while staying connected
Racing each other while partner counts quietly
Creatively decided by each group
4. Partner Stack and Tag- Players will be partnered up and will each have 3 cups. They will have to either stack tower 3 in a single stack or pyramid 2 and then 1 and then tag their partner before their partner tags them. Object is to stack fastest and then tag before partner tags you. If both trying to tag, then they run to opponent’s stack and continue activity. Pt for each time. Switch partners a few times. Variation- can add more than 3 cups and increase/decrease distance between partners.
5. Partner Cup Stack and Create- partners each have 6-12 cups each and they must work together to build (letters, numbers, shapes, objects, for height, etc.)
6. Partner Cup Stack Mirror and Move- 1 partner creates design and teaches it to partner with their cups. The partner starts to create it as fast as they can while their partner (the designer) performs as many of an exercise before they can create and downstack. They switch roles and can also decide exercises.
7. Cup Stacking Tournament- set up 6 poly spots with stacks of 12 cups, 5 poly spots with 12 cups on each, 4 poly spots with 12 and so on until you have 1 poly spot with 12 cups. 6 students line up behind the first row of poly spots and they each have their own cups. On your signal, the players begin creating 3,6,3 formation and then have to down stack before proceeding to next row. The next row only has 5 spots so 1 player will have to exit the round and report back to the end of their line as the players continue and race to be the 1st player to that single poly spot. The person that wins from each round advances until 12 students earn their spot in the championship. The championship I start 3 players at level 4 so they will have another shot if they lose to make it to the final 6. I create certificates, make a huge tournament from this for 3-5th grades, and award prizes to top students from each grade and from the overall championship. (See picture below)
x x x x x x (12 Cups on every x or poly spot you see)
x x x x x
x x x x
x x x
x x
x (Advances)
8. Team Cup Stacking Races- place 4 hula hoops on each corner of the gym for 1 race at a time or 8 hula hoops around the corners by dividing the gym up and each hoop has 12 downstacked cups in them. Students line up behind the cones (0's) and can join either cone since teams will be random each time. First 4 students report out to one of the hula hoops on their side. The players near the x1 starts on the signal as the teacher starts the stopwatch to time each race. The student must stack 3,6,3 and then downstack back in the hoop. They then run to X2 and tag them so they can begin. They do the same 3,6,3 and then downstack and run to X3 and so on until it gets to X4. That player creates 3,6,3, downstacks and then runs through the line where the to )'s are so the teacher stops the stopwatch. Goal is to twofold- to win the race, and to get the fastest overall time (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in the process. I make picture certificates with for the fastest teams and also hang them in the hallway for the school to see who is the fastest in each grade level and overall as well. Formation can be done with other equipment as well (dice- roll a certain number or 1 of each number before tagging partner, bucket builds, exercise- do 5 burpees and tag partner, etc.)
x3 x4 x4 x3
0 0
x2 x1 x1 x2
1. Cup Stack Relays- Students in small groups (4-5) at one end of the playing area, large amount of colored cups Each group will have 12 cups/ buckets in front of their group. On the signal the first player in line will run out and collect a card and bring it back to their group. Their group must work together to stack the cups so it looks like the picture. They will keep the card that represents their point total. They down stack the pile into 1 and the next player in line runs out to collect another card. Adaptations/Tips: 1) Have students travel using different locomotor patterns 2) Complicate pat- terns by stacking the cups 3) Use task cards for each group with a variety of patterns to engage and challenge students. See how many each group can complete before time is over. Variation- number each formation and once all groups have completed all 12 have them with their group create the number you call out. The group that finishes last performs laps/jumps rope while the other teams are competing to see who can do it the fastest. (use the pictures from the linked picture below- FREE)
2. Egyptians vs. Builders- Activity with two teams. One team is creating pyramids 2 on bottom and 1 on top with cups while other team are creating towers with one, one, one straight up. Goal is to create more of pyramids or towers depending upon team. Teams see who can have the most at the end of the time limit. Switch roles and keep track after each round. (Variation- same concept, but 2 teams of Uppers (up stack) and 1 team of Downers (down stack)
3. Partner Cup Stacking- players will take turns cup stacking 3, 6, 3 formationsFacing each other partners take turns/collectively by using:
Right hand only
Left hand only
Push up position
Planking position
Eyes closed
Together while staying connected
Racing each other while partner counts quietly
Creatively decided by each group
4. Partner Stack and Tag- Players will be partnered up and will each have 3 cups. They will have to either stack tower 3 in a single stack or pyramid 2 and then 1 and then tag their partner before their partner tags them. Object is to stack fastest and then tag before partner tags you. If both trying to tag, then they run to opponent’s stack and continue activity. Pt for each time. Switch partners a few times. Variation- can add more than 3 cups and increase/decrease distance between partners.
5. Partner Cup Stack and Create- partners each have 6-12 cups each and they must work together to build (letters, numbers, shapes, objects, for height, etc.)
6. Partner Cup Stack Mirror and Move- 1 partner creates design and teaches it to partner with their cups. The partner starts to create it as fast as they can while their partner (the designer) performs as many of an exercise before they can create and downstack. They switch roles and can also decide exercises.
7. Cup Stacking Tournament- set up 6 poly spots with stacks of 12 cups, 5 poly spots with 12 cups on each, 4 poly spots with 12 and so on until you have 1 poly spot with 12 cups. 6 students line up behind the first row of poly spots and they each have their own cups. On your signal, the players begin creating 3,6,3 formation and then have to down stack before proceeding to next row. The next row only has 5 spots so 1 player will have to exit the round and report back to the end of their line as the players continue and race to be the 1st player to that single poly spot. The person that wins from each round advances until 12 students earn their spot in the championship. The championship I start 3 players at level 4 so they will have another shot if they lose to make it to the final 6. I create certificates, make a huge tournament from this for 3-5th grades, and award prizes to top students from each grade and from the overall championship. (See picture below)
x x x x x x (12 Cups on every x or poly spot you see)
x x x x x
x x x x
x x x
x x
x (Advances)
8. Team Cup Stacking Races- place 4 hula hoops on each corner of the gym for 1 race at a time or 8 hula hoops around the corners by dividing the gym up and each hoop has 12 downstacked cups in them. Students line up behind the cones (0's) and can join either cone since teams will be random each time. First 4 students report out to one of the hula hoops on their side. The players near the x1 starts on the signal as the teacher starts the stopwatch to time each race. The student must stack 3,6,3 and then downstack back in the hoop. They then run to X2 and tag them so they can begin. They do the same 3,6,3 and then downstack and run to X3 and so on until it gets to X4. That player creates 3,6,3, downstacks and then runs through the line where the to )'s are so the teacher stops the stopwatch. Goal is to twofold- to win the race, and to get the fastest overall time (1st, 2nd, 3rd) in the process. I make picture certificates with for the fastest teams and also hang them in the hallway for the school to see who is the fastest in each grade level and overall as well. Formation can be done with other equipment as well (dice- roll a certain number or 1 of each number before tagging partner, bucket builds, exercise- do 5 burpees and tag partner, etc.)
x3 x4 x4 x3
0 0
x2 x1 x1 x2
Fidget Spinners
Spinning Distraction or Fitness Disguise? I am amazed at how sometimes when kids find something engaging, we as educators and teachers immediately redirect focus and look at the negatives that something can bring. Not always and not all teachers, however how many school districts banned or put a negative label on fidget spinners? Too many! It is our job as educators to look at solutions when it looks like there are none, to create from nothing, and to be one step ahead of our students. Fidget spinners like anything else can be overwhelming and there is definitely a need to set boundaries and perimeters so learning and student success is the main priority. With that being said, fidget spinners have so much potential in and out of the classroom. Really they are just timers waiting to stop. They are a tool that can be used to have students racing to solve math problems or racing to do as many burpees as they can. It doesn't matter what the task is, but it does matter that students are showing a strong interest in something that we can mold into something meaningful and educational-based. I created 2 PE Fidget Spinner resources that would put a positive spin (get it...Spin) on something that has become so controversial. Get your students spinning in the right direction and embrace this fad before the next one hits!
IPAD/WHITEBOARDS/PROJECTORS
I am a huge believer in disguising fitness and learning through fun, engaging, and interactive activities. I have taken some time to create some really cool resources that can be used in the classroom or in the gym as interactive power point/Jeopardy style games. Whenever I lose my gym to pictures or some other event, I break out these activities and students are amazed at how much PE fun they can have in their very own classroom. The teachers are also curious why they have balloons on their desk when they return. Overall, just a really great way to teach substance, have students actively involved all while having a blast! They come in Health/PE focus, and Holiday versions (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and X-Mas) as individual products or all bundled. Also, if you would like a specific version, shoot me a message and I would be happy to create it for you.
The Power of Running (Thanks-Cassie and Ashley)
You never know the positive impact you are helping create until you receive an email thanking you! I truly appreciate you checking out my website and for using it to get through a difficult time with this pandemic. You inspire me to keep pouring my energy and love for health and exercise into it even more!
Thank you to 3 awesome ladies Andrea, Cassie and Ashley for the email and for paying it forward with awesome resources that are going to light the fire in others to stay active and healthy!
Thanks for the awesome resources and I can't wait to dive into each article and share with my own children and students!
Students teaching teachers! =]
How to Achieve a Runner’s High
Exercise and Depression
The Truth Behind Runner’s High and Other Mental Benefits of Running
Endorphins and the Runner’s High
How to Achieve the Ultimate Runner’s High
Exercising to Relax
Be Well: The Truth About Endorphins and Runner’s High
Running Slows the Aging Clock
Long-Distance Running: An Investigation Into its Impact on Human Health
The Benefits of Running
Sweat it Out: Exercise in Addiction Recovery
Adding Exercise to Health Education Helps Treat Addiction
Benefits of Children Being Active
Aerobic Exercise: Top Ten Reasons to Get Physical
HIIT vs. Continuous Cardiovascular Exercise
Anaerobic vs. Aerobic Exercise: What’s the Difference?
Thank you to 3 awesome ladies Andrea, Cassie and Ashley for the email and for paying it forward with awesome resources that are going to light the fire in others to stay active and healthy!
Thanks for the awesome resources and I can't wait to dive into each article and share with my own children and students!
Students teaching teachers! =]
How to Achieve a Runner’s High
Exercise and Depression
The Truth Behind Runner’s High and Other Mental Benefits of Running
Endorphins and the Runner’s High
How to Achieve the Ultimate Runner’s High
Exercising to Relax
Be Well: The Truth About Endorphins and Runner’s High
Running Slows the Aging Clock
Long-Distance Running: An Investigation Into its Impact on Human Health
The Benefits of Running
Sweat it Out: Exercise in Addiction Recovery
Adding Exercise to Health Education Helps Treat Addiction
Benefits of Children Being Active
Aerobic Exercise: Top Ten Reasons to Get Physical
HIIT vs. Continuous Cardiovascular Exercise
Anaerobic vs. Aerobic Exercise: What’s the Difference?