Follow the Loco-Leader

I love this activity because students always get super excited to be the leader! They all get their heart-rates up, and get to practice their locomotor skills and non-locomotor skills. It’s a win-win-win all around!

Monica Ardanuy, Jason Joy, Tina Vasquez, Riley Taylor

Suggested Grade Levels: K-2nd

Objective:

Students will learn what Locomotor and Non-Locomotor movements are and will participate in a follow the leader game using both types of movements.

Materials:

•       Music (Bluetooth speaker, portable music player, phone)
•       Hula Hoops
•       Jump Ropes

Activity: 

Explain to the students what Locomotor and Non-Locomotor movements are.  Locomotor movements are any movements that are made when you move from one place to another, such as; walking, skipping, galloping, running, etc.  Non-Locomotor movements are movements that involve moving your body, but you’re not going anywhere, such as; dancing in place, wiggling, bending, etc. Having posters of locomotor and non locomotor movements can support ELL students.

Teacher can model to students a set of Locomotor and Non-Locomotor movements and demonstrate when they will start to create movements of their own, the teacher explains that every time the music starts playing; it is time to move and follow the Loco-Leader’s movements. Before the activity, teacher can suggest that if you cannot do a particular movement, do another similar movement you can do that matches loco leader. Students are to pay attention to the teacher modeling to determine what type of movement they are creating. For students in wheelchairs they can participate non locomotor movements and maybe have a student helper move the wheelchair during locomotor movements as well. 

Modeling: 

Pick students to be the Loco-Leader (model).

Teacher needs to be monitoring the whole class to ensure loco leader is picking appropriate movements for most if not all the students.

Independent:

Teacher can incorporate Hula Hoops and Jump Ropes in to the lesson/game.  Students can show their knowledge of the two movements and use these items as additions to make moving more fun. 

Formative Assessment: 

Teacher can call out what movement types to create, students will have to create movements without a Loco-Leader modeling. Teacher can have students spread out to support children who may have visual impairments. Teacher will be able to determine if the student can clearly distinguish between the two types of movements.

Unit & Purpose of the Lesson: 

This lesson can be included in a unit on promoting physical activity and aligns with National Health Education Standard 7: Self-Management. Students should be reminded of the importance of engaging in moderate to vigorous activity for at least 60 minutes each day.  By showing them these two types of movements they can see that they can simply turn on some music at home and make some Locomotor and Non-Locomotor movements in their bedroom/living rooms.

National Health Education Standard 4: Interpersonal Communication is also modeled in this lesson.  Effective communication skills are necessary to complete group activities such as following a Loco-Leader or being the Loco-Leader. 

Sources: https://www.pecentral.org/LessonIdeas/ViewLesson.asp?ID=133565#.XcDYTDNKg2w