Minds On

What is DPA?

All students in Ontario must participate in 20 minutes of physical activity each day during the school day. This is called DPA–Daily Physical Activity. This is different than Physical Education class.

The goal of daily physical activity is to create the habit of activity.

It is also so children can be active every day which is good for physical health, wellness, and learning.

What is something you do or would like to do on a daily basis to keep active? Brainstorm a list of activities, and if possible, share them with a partner.

Action

Safe exercise

An adult and two children are all wearing helmets as they ride their bike on an outdoor trail.

It is important to stay safe whether we are exercising indoors or outdoors in the community. Explore the following safety checks you should do before starting any daily physical activity in any environment.

Safety reminder

Always be sure to do your safety checks before you do an activity.

Before you begin, check:

Safety checklist

Outdoor safety

In some cases, you will be exercising outdoors during DPA.

Think about the following scenarios and decide whether the student(s) is being safe or not. Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.

Brainstorm

Indoor safety

It is also important to stay safe while exercising indoors. Let’s think of some rules to stay safe while exercising indoors. Share your thoughts with a partner if possible.

Get moving!

Now it’s time to move and do daily physical activity. As you do your daily physical activity think about what safety rules you are following and record them using a method of your choice.

After you have finished doing your daily physical activity reflect on the following question:

  • Why are the safety rules I recorded and other safety rules I know about important?

Warm Up

Warm up

Now it’s time for a warm up!

A warm up can be activities or stretches that slowly get our bodies ready for activity.

Explore the following warm up activities. Choose 3 of the activities to perform on your own!

  1. Start by standing or sitting with your arms hanging loose.
  2. Slowly move one arm and reach for your opposite foot.
  3. Count to 5 and carefully move your body back up.
  4. Repeat this step with your other hand.
A student bends at the waist and uses his right arm to touch his left toes. Then he will use his left arm to touch his right toes.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Stretch your arms out to the side.
  3. Make circles moving your arms forward, count to 5 then stop.
  4. Make circles moving your arms backwards, count to 5 then stop.
  5. Repeat this stretch one more time.
A student is seated with her arms extended. She is moving both her arms in a circular motion.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Keep your head straight.
  3. Gently move your head to one side, then slowly roll it to the other side.
  4. Bring your head back to the starting position and repeat the stretch.
  5. Repeat this stretch 5 times.
A student is standing, facing straight ahead and bends her neck to her right shoulder and then to her left shoulder.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Bring one arm across your body.
  3. Use your other arm and hold your elbow, slowly pulling it to your chest.
  4. Hold and count to 10.
  5. Repeat on the other side.
A student extends her right arm and brings it across her body without bending it. She uses her left hand to press her arm to her chest.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Slowly raise your arms up high.
  3. Count to 10 then bring your arms down.
  4. Repeat this stretch one more time.
A student has their arms raised straight upwards.

Workout

Now for the main event! Explore this video entitled “Power Up: Outer Space 2” where Teacher Andrea shares some exercises with Lucas and Laura.

Lucas and Laura love outer space. Teacher Andrea did exercises with an outer space theme.

At the end of the exercises, Teacher Andrea reminded Lucas and Laura to cool down.

What exercise did Teacher Andrea say to do?

Press ‘Answer’ to access what Teacher Andrea said.

Teacher Andrea told Lucas and Laura to stretch to cool down.

Cool Down

Cool down

Now let’s cool down from our activity.

A cool down can be activities or stretches that slowly help our bodies relax and calm down after we finish playing games.

Explore the following options. Complete three of these activities for your cooldown.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Gently shake one arm, the other arm, then both.
  3. Shake one leg, the other leg, then both.
  4. Gently shake your head, hips, and whole body.
A student shakes his hands, then his feet, then his hips.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. March on the spot, raise your arms out to your shoulders.
  3. Slowly make circles going one way, do this 5 times.
  4. Slowly make circles going the other way, do this 5 times.
A student is seated with her arms extended. She is moving both her arms in a circular motion.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Marching on the spot, raise your arms in the air.
  3. Slowly make circles going one way, do this 5 times.
  4. Slowly make circles going the other way, do this 5 times.
  5. Try and make different shapes.
A seated student has both arms raised over his head. With his hands clasped together, he is moving his arms in a circular motion.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Pretend to be a tree in a windstorm, your arms are the branches.
  3. The windstorm starts off strong blowing hard.
  4. The windstorm then begins to blow softer and calm.
A student has her arms out in front of her. She sways them at different speeds.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Reach up using your arms and touch the sky, count to 5.
  3. Slowly reach down and touch your toes, count to 5.
  4. Repeat this one more time.
A student has his arms raised straight upwards.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Slowly move your body forward.
  3. Reach and touch your toes, count to 5, then move your body back up.
  4. Try to touch your toes one foot at a time.
A student bends at the waist and touches his toes.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Pretend to climb a tall ladder.
  3. Slowly move your arms and legs up and down climbing a ladder to the sky.
A seated student is pretending to climb a ladder by raising his hands and knees up one at a time.

  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Slowly take a deep breath and breathe through your nose.
  3. Breathe out through your mouth.
  4. Repeat this 3 times.
  5. Take your arms and wrap them around your shoulders and give yourself a big hug.
A student breathes in, then breathes out and then hugs herself.

Consolidation

Create your own DPA

Now it’s your turn to create your own daily physical activity for you and your classmates to try out. Think about what physical activities you and your classmates like.

Use the following checklist to help create your DPA.

My DPA

If possible try the DPA you created and share it with a partner.

Pause Reflect

Reflecting on DPA

Now that you’ve tried some DPA, share how you’re feeling with a partner if possible. Think about the following questions and record your thoughts using a method of your choice:

  • Do you feel more energetic?
  • Are you more relaxed?

Regular physical activity helps the body, and mind, feel refreshed and ready for any tasks you may come across throughout the day.

Reflection

How do you feel about what you have learned in this activity? Which of the next four sentences best matches how you are feeling about your learning? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

Now, record your ideas about your feelings using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.