Minds On

The signs

Two students sit on a gym bench tired and sweaty, one is wiping sweat from his brow. One stands limply, is sweaty and about to drink water.

Our bodies can tell us when they are feeling tired. Brainstorm a list of signs you think your body gives when it is feeling tired.

Record your thoughts using a method of your choice and share with a partner, if possible.

How would you feel?

Think about the following activities and decide which one will make you the most or least tired.

Select the correct answer, then press ‘Check Answer’ to see how you did.

Record your thoughts on how you think your body would feel after each activity using a method of your choice.

Action

Check it out!

When we are active our bodies give us signs about how it is feeling. It is important to pay attention to the signs that our bodies give us to make sure that we slow down or stop when we need to. It can be unhealthy to continue an activity if your body tells you to stop.

Press the following tabs to access two different tests you can use that will tell you if your body is telling you to stop or slow down the activity.

The talk test is an easy way to tell if your body is tired and you need to rest. You should be able to talk, but not sing, while you are being active. That means that your body has enough breath to talk and move. If you can’t talk, you need to take a rest.

To check how fast your heart is beating, put your right hand on the left side of your chest while sitting down, then lean forward. Your hand can feel your heartbeat the best with your fingertips.

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Now that you have explored two ways to tell if your body is tired, pause and reflect on the following questions with a method of your choice:

  • What is another way to check if your body is tired?
  • What can you do if your body tells you it is tired?

Get moving

By doing some kind of physical activity every day we can keep our bodies happy and healthy.

Let’s get moving and try to notice some of the signs you have learned and thought about so far decide how your body is feeling throughout the activity.

Complete the Noticing Signs During Workout Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document. If you would like, you can use speech-to-text or audio recording tools to record your thoughts.

Noticing Signs During Workout Chart

Part of the Workout

What signs and feelings do I notice? Why?

Before Workout

Warm up

Main Activity

Cool Down

After Workout

Press the ‘Activity’ button to access Noticing Signs During Workout Chart.

Activity(Open PDF in a new window)

Before you begin your main physical activity, let’s start off with a safety check and warm up.

Safety

Before you begin:

Warm Up

Warm up

Now it’s time for a warm up!

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

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 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 is seated with her arms extended. She is moving both her arms in a circular motion.
  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 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. 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 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. 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 has their arms raised straight upwards.
  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.

Main workout

Explore the following video for a workout or do a physical activity of your choice. Be sure to take note of any signs and feelings you have as you participate in the activity.

Check out this video entitled “Power Up: Under the Sea 5” to try a sea themed workout.

Cool Down

Cool down

Now let’s cool down from our activity.

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

A student shakes his hands, then his feet, then his hips.
  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 is seated with her arms extended. She is moving both her arms in a circular motion.
  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 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. 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 student has her arms out in front of her. She sways them at different speeds.
  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 his arms raised straight upwards.
  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 bends at the waist and touches his toes.
  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 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. Pretend to climb a tall ladder.
  3. Slowly move your arms and legs up and down climbing a ladder to the sky.

A student breathes in, then breathes out and then hugs herself.
  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.

Consolidation

Sharing the signs

A student tapes up a poster with a picture of lungs inside a heart shape. It has, "Watch your breathing," and "Remember to take breaks," typed on it.

Now that you have tried out the tests yourselves, it’s time to share it with others.

It is important to learn about how our bodies react when we participate in an activity. How could you explain or show someone how to use the talk and/or heart rate test? Who would you share this information with? Be sure to include ways to know when your body needs to slow down or rest.

Record your ideas digitally, orally or in print. You could use speech-to-text, an audio recording or create a poster.

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.