On occasion, due to temperatures, air quality and weather, students have to stay inside for recess. This can make it difficult for students to get their wiggles out. To help alleviate the problem, I've posted some great websites and ideas below.
Note: Preview the site before showing students. There's a chance things have changed since I looked.
Four Corners
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2014/08/indoor-recess-four-corners-directions.html
King Chase Queen
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2014/07/indoor-recess-museum-guard-directions.html
Hand Clapping Games
https://cornerstoneconfessions.com/?s=hand+clap
Museum Guard
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2014/07/indoor-recess-museum-guard-directions.html
Wild Animal Fun
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2015/10/indoor-recess-wild-animal-fun.html
Who Is Missing?
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2017/03/indoor-recess-who-is-missing-directions.html
Silent Ball
https://www.playworks.org/resource/the-game-of-the-week-silent-ball/
Doggy, Doggy, Where's Your Bone
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2014/07/indoor-recess-doggie-doggie-wheres-your.html
Motion Stories
Heads Up, Seven Up
https://www.fernsmithsclassroomideas.com/2014/08/indoor-recess-heads-up-7-up-directions.html
Shadow Puppets
Use your projector to make shadow puppets and tell a story
Go Noodle
or search "GoNoodle Indoor Recess" on YouTube
Cosmic Kids
Action for Healthy Kids
Kids in Motion
Just Dance/Just Dance Kids
www.youtube.com
Search YouTube for “Just Dance” or "Just Dance Kids" (before showing students, preview videos/songs for appropriateness)
Eat Smart, Move More
www.eatsmartmovemorenc.com/Energizers/EnergizersForSchools.html
The following is a list of quick activities you could do with your class (some activities may need modification due to the ability of the students or maintaining a safe environment). Activities that should take place outside of the classroom are towards the end of the list (in bold text). All other activities can be done inside or outside of the classroom.
Getting Started:
Print the list of activities and cut them into strips. Place them in a container and have students pick from the container an activity for the class to do (you may want to separate the activities in bold text, as these are “outside of the classroom” activities).
List of Activities:
Using jumping jacks, jumps and push-ups as tasks; for every year old you are, perform that many reps.
Hop ten times on each foot. Jump as high as you can 20 times. Jog in place for 40 seconds.
Flex some muscles for at least ten seconds, then march in place for a few minutes.
Warm-up briefly by doing stretches. Hold (don’t bounce) for a count of 10.
Move like a robot for 5 minutes. Play some music to help get everyone involved.
Jump rope or just jump to 120 with your eyes closed (insure adequate space).
Choose 5 exercises, have the class perform each exercise 20 times.
Play catch with a partner(s) for a few minutes. Change throwing and catching hands. Can you make fancy passes with accuracy? *If you’re inside a classroom, consider using crumpled up recycled paper.
Play some music and see if you can create your own dance. 4 steps forward, 4 steps back, to the left 2x to the right 2x, etc.
Students will hold an invisible jump rope or use an actual rope depending on room size and ability levels. Students will solve a Math equation and perform the answer with their jump rope. They can do singles, alt. feet, backward, double-unders, criss-cross, etc. They can’t mess up no matter how many jumps they attempt.
Place students in groups of 2-3. Place a beanbag or small object between them on desk or floor. Have students get in a “Ready” position, then you say “grab it.” 1st to grab wins the round. Variation: Play music, when music stops, they grab it. Repeat and/or change partners. Students can even do this from a push-up, sit-up or a plank position.
Assign every student a letter from A-Z and a group of students a number (repeat letters for large classes). Every student squats. When you call out a letter or number the student/s who has that letter or number jumps up then back down. When you say “alphabet” or “numbers” everyone jumps up then down.
Students have to line-up in a specified manner. E.g. ABC last name, ABC first name, tallest to shortest, b-days, # of siblings, etc.
Hand out one UNO card to each student. Students identify color and perform activity that corresponds to that color for 10-15 seconds. Pass each card clockwise for new activities. Blue=Tigger jumps (high as you can), Red=squats, Yellow=jumping jacks, Green=swimming stroke.
2 teams. Send one student from each team outside the room. Choose 2 items to hide. Once hidden their task is to find items. Hot n Cold time! Teammates jump/jog faster when they’re closer. Jump/jog slower when they’re far away from item. Seekers follow their team cues only.
Pump your legs like you are pedaling a bike while lying on your back or seated in a chair. Push easy, medium and hard as you go slow, medium and fast speeds (consider playing music).
Go Noodle day. Let your students choose how to ready their noggins for learning. www.gonoodle.com
Students will perform the following movements. They have 60 seconds per exercise. Squats, jacks, jumps, hops, push-ups, curl-ups, walk in place.
Face a partner in a sit-up position. Hook ankles and see how many ball/item exchanges you can perform in one minute. Down and then “pass” when you’re both up. Change partners and repeat.
With a paper and pencil, play a few games of sit-up tic-tac-toe. Both players perform a sit-up before an X or an O gets placed. Each student receives a turn every other repetition. They can also play tic-tac-toe in a push-up or a modified push-up position.
Perform a set amount of reps (10 reps is a good start) of the following activities. Push-ups (modified are ok), curl-ups, jumping jacks, hops, skips, jumps, gallops, calf raises, squats, Tigger jumps, ski jumps, bell ringers, etc.
Play an instructional video and have the class walk, march or jog in place for 5, 10 or 15 minutes of the video.
Students will pair up and use two balls. How many ways can you deliver the ball to your partner while receiving theirs? (overhead, ankle, between the legs, behind the back, left hand, right elbow, top of foot, on my head, etc. *If you’re inside a classroom, consider using crumpled up recycled paper.
Rock, Paper, Scissors! Do jumping jacks, ending with one of the following positions: Rock (arms folded tight, looking tough like a rock!), Paper (arms out, like you’re driving a car or about to put paper over a rock!) and Scissors (arms crossed out in front, like an X, like a pair of scissors!). Play some rounds then find a different partner.
Take a brain break! Perform 10 jumping jacks, 10 curl-ups, 10 squats, 10 hand claps and 5 push-ups. Repeat several times or until 5 minutes is up.
Have each student choose an animal. All of the students will mimic the movements of that animal for 10 to 20 seconds, then mimic another student’s choice. Repeats are OK.
Assign exercises in every corner of the room (make signs if necessary). Group your class into four equal groups and have them perform the exercise in each corner. Rotate after a few minutes. Here are a few suggestions: jumping jacks, curl-ups, squats, hand claps, push-ups, run/jog/walk in place, pretend jump rope. Also, play some music!
Play catch with a partner and see how many consecutive passes you can complete without dropping the ball. If you can do more than 15, complete them while you’re both moving around. *If you’re inside a classroom, consider using crumpled up recycled paper.
Task time: Give a new task upon completion of the previous task. E.g., Touch 14 chairs not next to each other. Fist bump 12 people. Touch elbows with 5 students wearing 5 different colored shirts. Touch 8 items that are immovable. Touch 12 items that can be moved. Perform 8 squats near all 4 walls, etc.
Act up: Read a book or passage to your students. Every time there is an action verb have the students act it out. (You may also act it out to help those who need it.)
Sport Charades: Have students pick a skill and perform each skill for 20 seconds. Ideas: Kick a field goal, shoot a jump shot, swing a bat, serve a tennis ball, ski, snowboard, spike a volleyball, dunk a basketball, swing a golf club, throw a football, shoot an arrow, shoot a hockey puck, swim, etc.
Dance the day away: Locate two or three appropriate “Just Dance” songs on YouTube. Press play and the students simply follow along to the figure on the screen or smart board.
Quiz me: If it’s true jump in place for 15 seconds. If it’s false have them clap their hands for 5 seconds. Use questions that they’ve seen or should know.
Partner up, play some upbeat music and place an object between the partners. While the music is playing students perform various movements such as clapping hands, tapping knees, touching shoulders, high fiving partner, etc. When the music stops, the first partner to grab the object is the lucky student. Be sure to change movements every so often.
Do each 6x and repeat: 1. Alternating toe touch 2. Pretend to climb a ladder 3. Squat and jump high 4. Criss-cross feet (jump and switch the front foot) 5. Single hop (10x and switch) 6. Jog in place 7. High knees (to chest) 8. Pretend boxing speed bag 9. Slalom ski down a hill 10. Walk in place.
Sit down then stand up 20x. Walk around your table/desks at least 6x. Crank out 20 jumping jacks then sit.
Jump around. Spread out, grab some jump ropes and let the students get some intense exercise. Interval jumping (activity/rest) would be a good idea for younger students. They can even do this without jump ropes (they can perform multiple tricks and they’ll never mess up).
Use beach balls, balloons or crumpled up recycled paper and have students try to keep them afloat using arms, legs, heads, elbows, heels, shoulders, noses, knees, fingers, etc. If you choose to do this inside your classroom make sure students have enough personal space and that everything is secured so you don’t topple anything.
Mark the center of the room. Students’ objective is to throw wadded up recycle paper to the other side. When you call “stop” see which side has less paper. Best of five? (Close the door this is loud but fun!)
Divide students into groups of about 8. Have students grab right hands with someone who is not directly next to them. Then, with a different person, do the same with their left hands. Now untangle yourselves and become a circle without releasing hands.
Speed read: Choose a word that will be repeated often. Every time students hear that word(s), they jump up and down, squat, run in place, etc. Great way to check comprehension and listening skills.
Place an object on the floor and students will attempt to pick them up with different body parts. Pencils, notebooks, erasers, water bottles, playground balls, etc. can be picked up with knees, forearms, wrists, feet, heels, toes, thumbs, etc.
Choose an exercise and perform it 30 times. Keep choosing new exercises and perform 30 reps until time runs out.
Thumbs up: If your thumbs are up the kids are jumping. If your thumbs are to the outside the kids are doing jumping jacks. If your thumbs are pointing downwards the kids are running in place. Vary the length and speed in which you change signals and give them rest time too!
Juggling time: Give the students shopping bags, tissues, juggling scarfs or crumpled up recycled paper. and let them start with one and work their way up to as many as possible. Also, see how high you can count before you catch it, go around your back, figure 8 between your legs, lift from feet to hands, etc. Make a routine.
Take a walk with your students. Go around things inside and outside. Make it a Science expedition. Look at rocks, leaves, living and non-living things, etc.
Walk around the school. It’s ok to laugh and have a great time while walking.
Skip 50 times or to the nearest fence line, then walk briskly or jog back to your school doors.
Catch me if you can. Give students a track to follow. Pair them. The lead student jogs the track while the other walks. When the lead student catches the walker, they trade tasks. Repeat as time allows.
Get outside today for your brain oxygenation. If it’s chilly take a jacket. Give kids choices you’re ok with.
Students will walk, jog or run to the farthest location on your school property. Walk with them! Some might run 3-4 times back and forth while you walk one time and that’s perfectly fine. Take another trip or two if your farthest point is really not that far.
Race a partner around the playground field in opposite directions. Time each of the laps. Rest for a moment. Can you beat your personal record?
Power walk around the school today. Get those arms moving up and down.
Everyone’s it: Find some open space with no obstacles. Each student needs to tag as many students as possible on their shoulder blades. They also have to avoid tags from others. You could subtract a point for every time you are tagged but the important thing is to get moving.
No stress test: Make it a tradition to have a 5-8 minute jogging break before an assessment to help unwind and relax. It helps get oxygenated blood into the brain’s two hemispheres which is necessary for learning and clear thinking to occur. Ready? Go!
Power walk around your school hallways for at least five minutes. Be respectful of other classes. Get those arms swinging!
Take the students to the gym (if available) or outside. Using playground balls or basketballs, have students move while dribbling. The students may use their hands or feet or a combination if they’d like. Also, consider having them pair up and, while dribbling, pass the ball back and forth.
Shadow Tag. Students will attempt to step on the shadows of other students. They will also be attempting to avoid tags. There’s really no certain way to keep track of certain tags so the fun is in moving. Hopefully today is a sunny day!
Muscle and Bone Tag: Partner the students. Call out an apropriate body part to be tagged and each attempts to tag without being tagged (elbow, knee, thigh, shoulder, calf, bicep, tricep, etc.).
1 on 1 guard the pin: Use something that can sit upright and have a student guard it from tipping over. Their partner’s task is to topple it by reaching in and knocking it over. Students cannot kick or hit. Switch tasks.
As an Elementary P.E. Specialist, having great "attention getters" is critical for effective student management and for the success of the planned activity. Knowing and using a variety of attention getters is very helpful; as it breaks up the redundancy and the monotony students may experience with a given signal, thus preserving the novelty and interest of the students to respond to them.
There are a lot of attention getters out there. The list below is just a sample based off of my own preferences (listed in no particular order). The reason I favor these attention getters above others is due to their simplicity and variety. Some of the attention getters work best for lower grades (K-3). However, most of them work for both lower and upper grade levels.
*Please note, the end goal of using attention getters/signals is to have the undivided attention of the students. Aside from what the signal requires, student voices should be off and their eyes and attention should be on the Teacher/Coach.
(you say): Class, Class?!... (students say): Yes! Yes!
(you say): 1, 2, 3, Eyes on me... (students say): 1, 2, Eyes on you!
(you say): What sound does a waterfall make?... (students say): Shhhhh...
(you do): Clap the rhythm 1,2,...1,2,3... (students do): Students clap the rhythm back (1,2,... 1,2,3) and end by saying: "Ready!"
(you say): Touch your shoulders if you can hear my voice... (students do): Students copy... (you say): Touch your knees if you’re listening... (students do): Students copy... (you say): Fold your arms if you’re voice is off... (students do): Students copy... etc, etc, etc.
(you say): ABC... (students say): Easy as 1-2-3
(you say): Statue!... (students do): Freeze in place
(you say): 3, 2, 1... Zipp!... (students say and do): Zip! (as they say "Zip!" with you, students fold their arms and close lips quickly)
(you say): Hands on top!... (students say and do): That means stop! (students place hands on top of their heads)
(you say): All set?... (students say): You bet!
(you say): Mac and Cheese!... (students say and do): Everybody Freeze! (students freeze in place)
(you do): Clap a rhythm... (students do): Students clap (copying or finishing the sequence) *Warning, don't use the musical couplet "Shave and a haircut," as this is very offensive in some cultures.
(you say): Are you ready?... (students say): We're ready!
(you say): Superstar!... (students do): Students pose (one hand on hip with one hand in the air)
(you say): Super Hero!... (students do): Students pose (both hands on hip)
(you say): Match me... (students do): Students copy you
(you say): Alligator, Alligator... (students say): Chomp, chomp! (you say): Kitty Cat, Kitty Cat... (students say): Meow, Meow! (you say): Puppy Dog, Puppy Dog... (students say): Woof, Woof! (you say): Human, Human... (students say): Blah, Blah!
(you say): Hold up... (students say): Wait a minute
(you say): What color is my (shirt, hair, whistle, etc.)... (students say): Students respond with the color
(you say): Point to (the sky, the wall, Coach, etc.)... (students do): Students point
(you say): Winner winner... (students say): Chicken dinner
(you say): Tootsie roll, lolly pop... (students say): We've been talking, now we stop
(you say): Easy peasy... (students say): Lemon squeezy
(you say): Scooby doobey doo... (students say): Where are you?
(you say): Zip it, lock it... (students say): Put it in your pocket
(you say): Ready to rock?... (students say): Ready to roll!
(you say): Get it?... (students say): Got it... (you say): Good
(you say): No bees, no honey... (students say): No work, no money
(you do): Start at a slow clap, then get louder and faster... (students do): Students copy
(you say and do): Move like a (robot, astronaut, penguin, etc.)... (students do): Students copy
(you say): When I say "OK" you say "Alright" - Ok... (students say): Alright
(you say): When I say "Do your" you say "Best" - Do your... (students say): Best
(you say): Look up, look down, look at... (students do): Students look at ________
(you say): Whisper countdown (10, 9, 8, etc.)... (students say): Students whisper the countdown with you
(you say): Take a seat, take a seat, take a load off your feet *clap, *clap... (students do): Students sit down
(you say): Sonic... (students say): Boom
(you say): Who you gonna call?... (students say): Ghostbusters
(you say): A hush fell over the crowd... (students say): Huuuushh