FREE LESSON PLAN
Partner Pyramid Workout Grades 3-5 New edition includes 250+ ready-to-use activities!
Introduction of Concepts Tell students that this warm-up activity works on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Encourage them to work hard and try to do more repetitions than before.
Directions
National Standards Standard 2: Applies knowledge related to movement and fitness concepts. 2.5.7 Defines and provides examples of movement activities for developing the health-related fitness components.
1.Show students the workout pyramid in the form of a poster, wall projection, or handout. Explain how to work down the pyramid: “Start at the top, then choose an exercise on the next row down that is in contact with the previous exercise. Continue in this way through the last row. For example, everyone starts with jumping jacks, then chooses either push-ups or squats. Next, if you did squats, choose either hip flexor stretch or butterfly stretch. Then, if you did hip flexor stretch, choose either tuck jumps or burpees. You always pick an exercise beneath the one you just did.” 2.Explain that students start with a partner (assigned however you prefer) and do the first exercise with them for one minute while music plays. When the music stops, they find a new partner with whom to complete the next exercise (once the music begins). The new exercise must connect (on the pyramid) to the last exercise done by one or both of the partners. Students continue in this manner until they finish the final row of the pyramid. 3.Start the music to signal students to begin their first exercise; after one minute, stop the music. 4.Give students 15 seconds to find a new partner and choose their next exercise. They must agree with their new partner on which exercise to do. 5.Restart the music and play it for one minute while students complete the new exercise. Then stop the music again and give students 15 seconds to find a new partner and choose the next exercise. 6.Continue this pattern until one exercise in each row has been completed.
Standard 3: Develops social skills through movement. 3.5.3 Demonstrates respectful behaviors that contribute to positive social interaction in group activities.
Closure
Learning Objectives
Designate an area where students who are unable to find a new partner can go to find one.
Students will identify which exercises develop cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Students demonstrate appropriate behavior when working with different partners.
Health-Related Fitness Components Cardiorespiratory endurance Muscular endurance Flexibility
Equipment Music + one workout pyramid handout/student
Ask students to do a think-pair-share to identify one cardiorespiratory endurance, one muscular endurance, and one flexibility exercise. Which activities were the most challenging for you? What can you do to improve? Which exercises worked on cardiorespiratory endurance? Muscular endurance? Flexibility?
Teaching Tip Assessment Ask students to identify how each activity they performed in class relates to the development of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility. Observe student behavior when working with different partners.
Variations Mix exercises for cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility throughout the pyramid instead of organizing them by row. Ask students to discuss with their partner which component their chosen exercise works on before starting it. Instead of mixing, use only exercises from one health-related fitness component; for instance, use exercises only for cardiorespiratory endurance to provide a cardio workout. Put muscle names in the pyramid and ask students to complete an exercise that works or stretches a given muscle. Increase or decrease the number of rows depending on how much time you want to spend on the activity. Use a projector and have students go through the exercises by looking at the screen instead of all the handouts.
Adaptation and Inclusion Instead of providing only a single pyramid, allow students to choose from beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions. Include exercises at a variety of levels on each row of the pyramid.
Home Extension Encourage students to participate in this activity outside of class. It requires minimal work to perform at home with parents or guardians and siblings.