Minds On

Ways to move

There are many different ways we can move our bodies.

Explore the following carousel of images.

What actions did you notice in the images?

Record your ideas in a notebook or by using another method of your choice.

Action

Movements

There are many different kinds of movements we can make. We can move in different directions and at different speeds.

Let's get warmed up!

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

Before you begin, check:

Safety

Before you begin:

Warm Up

Jumping jacks warmup

Warmups are simple activities that slowly increase our heart rate and get our muscles and joints ready!

Let's warm up with jumping jacks.

  1. If possible, stand up straight with feet together and hands by sides.
  2. Jump up, spread feet, and bring both hands together above head.
  3. Jump again and return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat 20 times.

Press 'Modification' to access an alternate warm up.

Seated jacks

  1. If possible, sit up straight with feet together and hands by sides.
  2. Bring both hands together above head.
  3. Return to the starting position.
  4. Repeat 20 times.

Fundamental movement skills

Fundamental movement skills are any movements that are important and useful in our daily lives. The three fundamental movement skills are stability, locomotion, and manipulation.

Did You Know?

Did you know?

We talk about math and language literacy, but physical literacy also exists!

Physical literacy is about learning how to practice fundamental movement skills safely.

These skills are essential for developing our motor skills and for understanding how we can apply motor skills to various physical activities.

Press the following tabs to access more information about fundamental movement skills.

Stability is a movement skill that involves balancing the body in one place (static balance) or balancing while moving (dynamic balance) by sensing a shift in our bodies and altering our position.

A child balancing upside down on their hands with their legs straight above them in the air.
  1. What physical activities require you to keep your body stable?

Record your ideas in a notebook or by using a method of your choice.

Locomotion is a movement skill that involves moving the body from one point to another in various ways.

Children racing through a finish line.
  1. What physical activities require you to move your body in different directions, speeds, and pathways?

Record your ideas in a notebook or by using a method of your choice.

Manipulation is a movement skill that involves controlling an object by moving, sending, receiving, or retaining it.

A child using a wheelchair dribbles a basketball.
  1. What physical activities require you to use equipment?
  1. How does your body use equipment in different sports?

Record your ideas in a notebook or by using a method of your choice.

When you are finished exploring the previous accordion, press 'Answers' to access possible answers.

  1. Some physical activities that require you to keep your body stable include:
    • riding a bike or scooter
    • moving with objects
    • getting dressed
  2. Some physical activities that require moving your body in different directions, speeds, and pathways include:
    • hopscotch
    • skipping with a jump rope
    • red light/green light
  3. Some physical activities that require using equipment include:
    • catch
    • hot potato
    • soccer
  4. Some ways that bodies can use equipment in different sports include:
    • using hands to throw
    • using hands to catch
    • using feet to kick

Stability and locomotion

Explore the following carousel of stability movements.

Now, explore the following carousel of locomotor movements.

Object collection activity

We are now going to practise our locomotor and stability skills.

Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.

  • a bucket, bowl, or basket
  • chalk, tape, or string
  • 5 soft objects (such as beanbags, small stuffed toys, sock balls, crumpled paper, etc.)

  1. Use chalk, tape, or string to create a straight line on the ground. You may have a peer or adult help set this line up.
  2. Scatter your soft objects on either side of this line.
  3. At the end point of the line, place a bucket, bowl, or basket. You can also create a rectangle shape with tape, chalk, or string. This is the drop-off zone.
  4. Move to the starting point of the line, and perform a locomotor movement of your choice as you move towards the first object.
  5. When you are close to the object, safely pick it up, and hold a stability movement of your choice for 5 seconds. You can also have a peer or adult help pick the object up.
  6. Perform another locomotor movement as you carry the object to the drop-off zone, and move back to the starting position.
  7. Repeat steps 4 to 7 until all objects are collected. Remember you can only carry one object at a time.
    Have fun!

Stay on the lines activity

For our next activity, you will move around your space while practising different locomotor skills.

Build your confidence and competency by trying to stay on a set of lines. Consider trying different movements.

You can hop using one foot, jump using two feet, shuffle by stepping sideways, or slide by keeping your feet on the ground.

Press the following tabs to access the equipment and steps required to complete this activity.

  • chalk, tape, or string

  1. Use chalk, tape, or string to create 3 different lines on the ground: a curvy line, a straight line, and a zigzag line. You may have a peer or adult help set these lines up.
  2. Move to the starting point of the first line and perform a locomotor movement of your choice as you move towards the endpoint.
  3. From the end of the line, move back to the starting point while performing the same locomotor movement from step 2.
  4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 for the two remaining lines.

If possible, demonstrate another locomotor movement of your choice along a safe hallway. Every time you pass a doorway, hold your body still in a balance for at least a 5 seconds.

Cool Down

Cool down

We're now going to cool down with some stretches.

Remember to take slow and deep breaths as you allow the heart rate to return to a normal pace.

Safety reminder

Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!

Quad stretches

  1. If possible, stand up straight and shift weight to right leg.
  2. Lift left foot back and hold it with left hand.
  3. Pull left foot towards buttocks and feel the stretch.
  4. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds and repeat with the right leg.
  5. Repeat 5 times.

Optional: For extra support, place free hand on a nearby wall while stretching.

Seated calf raises

  1. If possible, sit up straight.
  2. Raise heels off the ground slightly and keep toes on the ground.
  3. Hold heels up and squeeze calves for 5 seconds.
  4. Return to the starting position.
  5. Repeat 10 times.

Consolidation

Let's review!

We are now going to review our knowledge of fundamental movement skills.

For each term, select the corresponding definition.

For each term, select the corresponding definition.

Movement sequences

A movement sequence is any combination of fundamental movement skills.

Explore the following carousel of a movement sequence. What movements and balances do you notice?

My movement sequence

Now it's your turn to create a movement sequence.

Use a combination of different speeds, directions, pathways, and levels. Make sure to consider how you will transition smoothly from one action to the next.

My movement sequence checklist

When planning your movement sequence, be sure to include:

You can record your movement sequence on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.

When you are finished creating your movement sequence, perform it in a safe environment.

Remember to perform your safety check before you begin!

If possible, share your movement sequence with a peer or adult.

Have fun!

A child leaping from one foot to the other in a living room.

Reflection

As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.

I feel…

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

Press 'Discover More' to extend your skills.

Check out the following How Do You Feel? video entitled “Exercise” to learn more about how physical activities can lift your mood.

As you explore the video, count how many locomotor movements Akin did. Record your count on paper, on a computer, as an audio or video clip, or by using another method of your choice.