Ninja Notes

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5 Games We Love More Than Dodgeball

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If you avoid playing dodgeball with your students in your upper elementary gym class, then here are five games we've taught are students that we love more than dodgeball-mostly because they don't involve throwing things at students. Come check out the simple rules to play these games we love today!

As a student, I hated dodgeball with a passion. I wore glasses and could barely see without them, but I wasn’t allowed to wear them in case they were broken. So, there I would be, blind as a bat, wandering around, trying not to get pelted by those giant red rubber balls that always left a mark. I saw a pattern immediately. The few top athletes (usually the biggest boys) knocked everyone out, usually hurting them in the process and then continued playing amongst themselves while the rest of us sat bored on the sidelines licking our wounds.

I vowed, as a teacher, I would never let any of my students experience that. This means there is no dodgeball in any of my gym classes. These are some of the games we love to play instead.

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Why You Should Revive Old Playground Games

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Playground games are a great way to build classroom community, burn some energy and have some fun. Come learn some of our favourite playground games and learn why teaching them is important.

Are you looking for something quick, easy and fun to do in the gym or outside at recess? We’ve been searching for games that students can play that don’t require a lot of equipment and or are simple enough that students can play them on their own with adult support. Playground games are the answer!

Students love older playground games that seem new to them. Even something as basic as teaching students a new chant to use while skipping can boost engagement. Read more to learn how we use playground games to build relationships, get in some physical activity and have some fun!

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Energize Your Gym Class With Very Little Equipment

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Do you have to provide some sort of physical education program? Is all your equipment locked up? Remember when teaching physical education was so much easier?

Well, don’t worry.

We’ve been collecting ideas for your equipment-free classes. We’ve even found a few ideas for online classes. Let’s get started.

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