Minds On

Let’s move like …

Explore the following images.

How would someone move their body like the objects in the images?

Would they move slow or fast?

What direction would they move in?

Student Tips

Direction

Press the ‘Direction’ button to reveal what this word means.

When we move, we choose a direction.

If we move in the direction we are facing, we move forward.

If we move in the direction behind us, we move backward.

Action

Directions

In this learning activity, we are going to be moving forward and backward!

Before we begin, lets do a quick warmup.

Safety

Before you begin:

Warm Up

Warm up

Explore this video as you warm up your body.

Follow along as best you can.

Moving forward

Forward and backward are directions which we can move in.

Forward is when you are moving straight in the direction that is in front and moving away from you.

Check out the following animation for an example of moving forward.

A person moving forward in a straight line.

Moving backward

backward is when you are moving straight in the direction that is behind and moving away from you. You should only move backward if you are certain nothing is in your way.

Check out the following animation for an example of moving backward.

A person moving backward.

Try It

Try it!

Let’s practise moving forward and backward.

Always be sure to do your safety checks!

For this activity, you will need:

  • any object of your choice (for example, a stuffed animal, small ball, or a pencil)

Instructions

Moving forward

A student moving towards an object.

Step 1: Put your object on the floor and move away from it.

Step 2: Move your body forward in the direction of your object.

You are now moving forward!

Moving backward

A student moving away from an object.

Step 1: Put your object on the floor.

Step 2: Move your body away from the object.

Remember to check behind as you move backward to make sure you stay safe.

Staying safe when we move!

How can we stay safe while moving?

What do we need to think about when we move in different ways?

Brainstorm your ideas! If possible, work with a partner.

Press the ‘Staying Safe’ button to reveal some examples.

How to stay safe when we move

  • Make sure there is nothing in your space as you move.
  • Always check before you move backward.
  • Check the ground to make sure you don’t step on anything.

Zoo crew

Let’s play a game!

We are going on an adventure to the zoo!

Pick at least 3 movements from the poem “Zoo Crew Adventure” and follow along.

Have fun!

Zoo Crew Adventure

Art is decorative and does not need alt text.

Frog’s jump (jump up and down quickly)

Donkey’s clop (stomp both feet in place)

Lion’s walk (slowly walk forward with both hands and feet on the floor)

Rabbit’s hop (quickly hop in place)

Horse’s gallop (gallop moving forward)

Worm’s wiggle (slowly wiggle your whole body backward)

Kangaroo’s hop (hop on two feet moving forward)

Spider’s jiggle (move arms up and down)

Camel’s clump (walk backward)

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Let’s pause and reflect.

Answer the following question using a method of your choice.

  • How did you feel about the Zoo Crew game?

Cool Down

Cool down

Let’s cool down from all that moving.

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

A student shaking a body part.
  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 with their arms extended. They are making circles with their arms.
  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. March on the spot and 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 with their arms up, making circles with their arms.
  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Marching on the spot and 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 with their arms in front of them. They are shaking their arms.
  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 calmer.

A student with their arms raised.
  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 bending over to touch their 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 student pretending to climb a ladder.
  1. Start by standing or sitting.
  2. Pretend to climb a tall ladder.
  3. Slowly move your arms and legs up and down as if you were climbing a ladder to the sky.

A student taking deep breaths and giving themselves a hug.
  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

Make your own zoo crew!

Create your own zoo crew! Each animal in your zoo crew will have different movements, directions, and speed.

Use the following checklist to help you.

    

Does my zoo crew have at least … ?

Here are some possible animals, movements, and speeds to choose from:

Animals Movements Direction Speed

Cat

Dog

Frog

Lion

Monkey

Spider

Horse

Walk

Jump

Stomp feet

Move arms up and down

Hop

Crawl

Forward

backward

Slowly

Quickly

You can record your zoo crew in the following fillable and printable Zoo Crew document. You can also record your ideas in your notebook or using another method of your choice.

Press the Activity button to access the Zoo Crew.

Activity (Open PDF in a new tab)

Record your zoo crew in the following table. Record your animal, their movement, direction, and speed.

There is an example in the table to get you started.

Animal Movement Direction Speed

cat

crawl

forward

slowly

Try It

Try it!

Cat crewing.

After you finish creating your zoo crew, try each of the actions yourself!

If possible, share with a partner.

Always be sure to do your safety checks!

Pause and Reflect

Pause and reflect

Let’s pause and reflect.

Answer the following questions using a method of your choice.

  • Can you move backward?
  • Can you move forward?
  • Can you move at different speeds?

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.