Details and Share
Aces and Exercise
Using a deck of playing cards, the students will pick the number of reps for various exercises.
Grade Level: 4 - 6th
Grade Level: 4 - 6th Subject:
Subject: Length of Time: 1 Class Period
Length of Time: 1 Class PeriodSponsored School(s)
Objectives & Outcomes
The students will be able to strengthen various muscles of their body using a variety of exercises.
Materials Needed
deck of playing cards and chart (see below)
Prepare ahead of time: Need a deck of playing cards. Chart listing at least 10 to 15 exercises large enough for all students to see.
Procedure
Opening to Lesson
- Ask students: How many of you play card games? Do you enjoy cards games?
- Allow for responses and discussion.
Body of Lesson
Modeling
- Tell students they will be combining the playing cards with fitness today.
- Allow a student to choose a playing card. Show it to the class.
- If it’s a 7, tell students to do 7 jumping jacks or another exercise listed on the exercise chart.
Guided Practice
- Another student will pick a card. Choose a new exercise. Students will do the exercise the number of times shown on the playing card.
- Aces are worth 15, face cards are worth ten. Use the jokers for a random number.
- Each exercise on the chart should be used at least once.
- Choose different students to pick the cards. Determine the exercise prior to a new card being chosen.
- For some exercise, you do a number of minutes instead of reps. For example, a 2, could be running in place for 2 minutes. A 7 could be 7 laps around the gym.
- Continue the exercising until the end of the class.
Independent Practice
- Tell students to use their own deck of cards at home and exercise each day.
Closing
- Ask students to try and design new exercises, or other activities, for PE class they can do using the playing cards.
- Allow for responses and discussion.
Assessment & Evaluation
May use as preparation for the Presidential Physical Fitness Test.
Modification & Differentiation
Remove the lowered numbered or higher-numbered playing cards. Combine decks of playing cards. Use the suits to double or triple the number. Do one exercise a week using the cards. Set up Exercise Stations with a deck of playing cards at each station. Students move in 2 or 3s to each station for a set time period.
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