BALANCE
In grades Pre-Kindergarten through grade two, basic balance
activities are introduced. We explore
balancing a wide variety of objects on our bodies, finding the balance point by
using different body parts and bases for still balances. Objects include
peacock feathers, wands, noodles, etc. Students learn through exploration how
to create a variety of still balances, where the object doesn’t move for at
least five seconds. They learn that the wider the base the easier it is to
balance the object and the smaller the base, the more challenging it is to
balance the object. Once students demonstrate understanding of the concepts of
a still balance with objects on their bodies, we begin exploring balancing our
bodies on a variety of objects. These
objects include duck walkers, balance boards, see-saw boards, go-go cycles, foot
stompers, domes, partner boards, etc. Each object has a different base which
creates a variety of levels of challenge for both still and moving balances.
Students explore using various levels, speeds, directions, pathways and
groupings.
In grades three through four, the skills that were learned
in the years prior are expanded upon.
Students demonstrate understanding the concepts of base of support, center of
gravity and stability by create a variety of static (still) and dynamic (moving)
balances on spools. Students use divergent problem solving to create static
balances with a variety of postures and bases of support. Once they are
successful with static balances, they must create dynamic balances, moving
across the width of the gym. Other challenges include using various speeds,
directions and pathways. The concluding activity is to create moving balances
by cooperating in groups of 4-5 students using the spools and bars.
Stilts, Pogo Sticks, and Trolleys are also used during the
balance unit.
The objectives for Balance are:
Grades K-2
Body
Still Balances
Creative Body Postures
Relationships
Moving Balances
Creative Body Postures
Distance
Speeds
Pathways
Relationships
Directions
Brain
Understand the concepts of balance
·
Balance Point
·
Base
Creativity
Cooperation
Share equipment, space and ideas with others
Create still and moving balances with others
Help others with their balances
Grades 3-4
Body
Static Balances
Creative Body Postures
Relationships
Time
Dynamic Balances
Creative Body Postures
Distance
Speeds
Pathways
Relationships
Directions
Brain
Understand the concepts of balance
·
Center of Gravity
·
Base of Support
·
Stability
Creativity
Cooperation
Share equipment, space and ideas with others
Create static and dynamic balances with others
Support others by helping them with their balances
The safety rules for Balance are:
Always work in an open space, away from the walls and
others.
When you feel out of balance and while you are still have
control of your body, land safely on two feet and try again.
Walk around the other stations and students while working
and or changing stations.
When your object feels out of balance and while you still
have control, catch it and try again.
Only feet allowed on the spools, no sitting or kneeling.
The vocabulary terms for Balance are:
Grades K-2 Grades
3-4
Base Base
of Support
Eye Focus Center
of Gravity
Balance Point Eye
Focus
Still Static
Moving Dynamic
Vertical Posture
Horizontal Flexion
