About Gary Franklin Expertise Can help with any question regarding organization of physical education curriculum and program. Can assist with questions regarding
organization of school recreational programs, intramural programs and
athletic teams
Experience 25 years physical education teacher in the Great neck Public Schools Coach soccer, swimming, volleyball and track/field & Intramurals, Summer recreational program director
Expert: Gary Franklin Date: 10/5/2007 Subject: Running Activities
Question I work for an extend day program and am teaching a running class for ages k-5. What kinds of games or activities do you suggest that would keep the children intrested and keep them running?
Answer Courtney,
One game that young children enjoy is called
" Guinea Pig" Use 4 cones, one at each corner to form a large rectangular space. Divide children into 2 teams. Place teams diagonally across from each other, on opposite sides of rectangle. Give the first child on each team a relay baton.On your command the first child on each team starts running clockwise around the rectangle ( outside the corner cones ) These runners are chasing and attempting to tag each other each other. If the runner goes completely around the rectangle and does not get tagged or tags the other runner,he/she hands the baton to the next person in line who then start to run. This sequence continues until one child is able to catch up to a child on the other team and tag them. When this happens the games stops and then you begin it again with the next runner on line from each team. After a child hand off the baton to the next person in line it is important that they go quickly to the end of their line to wait for their next turn. Variations include
adding additional cones on the sides of the rectangle where they have to zig-zag around or jump over.
Another idea is to construct an outdoor jogging course.
Create a chart for each child to record how many laps they have completed each day/week. Construct a map of the United States for your bulletin Board and transfer the distance students run on the jogging course to distance on the map. See if a class can cover the distance from NY to California
for example by the end of the year.
Good luck - children love to run and it is a great form of exercise,
Gary Franklin
