EDUCATIONAL GYMNASTICS

Here are some ideas to make the transition easier not only for the teachers but the students who may be timid to the demands of GYMNASTICS . If you coordinate the unit with an adapted approach that utilizes other areas of importance , then the learning process will make the students comfortable . Be creative by encompassing skills in tasks that the students practice in after school hours and at home . This means making yourself aware of those things that they enjoy or are related to Gymnastics . To make this more clear is to understand there are many integral parts . These may include the following :

	•	Apparatus( bars, beam, horse vault , rings, tumbling area)

	•	Tumbling skills

1. Jumps, leaps , turns , twists

2. Proper landing skills( take-off , rebound , landing)

3. Mimetics( locomotor skills/ emulating animals , etc.)

4. Balances( 1,2,3,4, 5 support positions)

5. Lead up tumbling ( on head, hands, feet , arms , elbow)

6. Dance skills( chasse , slide , etc.)

7. Skateboarding( turns, twists , jumps)

8. Track/field( hurdle, jump, step hop, etc.)

9. Rhythmic(hoops, ropes, ball skills)

10. Homemade /adapted equipment

	•	Folded mat to make a hurdle

	•	Mat placed on parallel bars for vaulting

	•	Obstacle course( old tires, hula hoops , ropes, golf tubes

	•	Folded mats for climbing and jump over the vault

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

From time to time there will be an example given how to make the students understand that they can perform "gymnastics" and or lead up skills that are integrated with other sport related activities . These ideas will be called GOLDEN NUGGETS .

GOLDEN NUGGET #1 : During an obstacle course/circuit work place a long jump mat with numbers on them . Use this station for jumping skills by practicing a forwardand backward jump for distance. This task is used for the "gymmers" who are tentative.

	•	Explain that the jumping/landing skill is inherent to proper body control

	•	AND , the backward jump task is the first step in teaching a backhandspring. This propulsion in a backward plane is an important part of the skill.

	•	The landing is a vital part - if off balance in a backward motion, that gives the student an opportunity to learn how to fall properly and incorporate another lead up skill (back roll , egg roll, shoulder roll ) ..all skills that teach learning how to fall properly to ward off serious injuries !!!

GOLDEN NUGGET#2 : During an obstacle course , use this as one of the stations:

Place a folded mat like a hurdle . On each turn give the students an opportunity to chose a skill they feel comfortable with , such as :

	•	Hurdle the mat as in a track meet

	•	Jump over the mat and perform a skateboard skill in various twists , turns and body positions

	•	Dive over the mat (gymnastics roll), leap over the mat in a dance skill position.

*** It is important to cover all the areas of interest of the students and it will click in later that" hey , we can do those things ." In this way , they will forget that they are doing gymnastics .

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Before the unit can be completed there should be a rubric of skills for each grade level. It should be done on a sequential basis that leaves an opportunity for adaptation :

Mimetics - Grades 1-3 :

Crab Frog

GOLDEN NUGGET: The crab is a pre-requiste to the back roll as it starts in a backward motion. The frog does the same for the first steps to teach a forward roll as it gives the momentum needed to complete the process. So, the adaption would be these skills to be practiced for the tenative student .

SEAL SNAKE

ROWBOAT

MULEKICK

LOG ROLL

KANGAROO

GI JOE

FROG STAND

GOLDEN NUGGET: This skill is the pre-requisite of the headstand. The next progression is to slowly press the feet upward and maintaining a triangle with the head out and hands back.

CRICKET

CRANE

BACK ROLL PROGRESSION

GOLDEN NUGGET : Make sure the knees are held tight to the body. The progression is bum hits first , then back and hands close to ears. Stay TIGHT !!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Here is the next sequential order that leads up to the actual tumbling skills :

	•	Frog , shoulder roll , forward roll(bent,straddle , pike), stiff leg roll , no hands /free roll

	•	Crab, shoulder roll , egg roll , back roll(bent straddle, pike)

	•	Frog stand(tripod) , frog hand balance, headstand, forearm stand

	•

	•	Mule kick , short kick handstand , handstand with support( against wall or with spot), handstand

Spotting

	•	Cartwheel in low sideward plane , gradually increase height, cartwheel

	•	Bridge , walkover, backhandspring

	•

	•	Bridge , front walkover , fronthandspring

	•

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

NUGGET : To get the class organized and perform self-testing activities , incorporate the following tasks. It comes replete with an individual task sheet that the students execute each class visit. Divide the class into six(6) groups in the following sequence( 30 sec.):

#1. Jog around the gym

#2. Jump and reach( tape on wall)

#3. Jump ropes

#4. Scooter ab crunch( push scooter out and back) on knees, feet off the floor)

#5. Back push-ups on bleachers

#6. Step up, down, up down on bleachers(step test)

The students perform 30 sec.. go to their paper , write in the reps and switch to the next place on command. Before the circuit begins all students take their resting heart rate. When all tasks are completed , they take their active heart rate. Check each week for personal improvement .

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MISCELLANEOUS SKILLS :

JUMPS/TURNS/BALANCES :

	•	*180 turn , 360 * degrees**

	•	Squat jump , straddle , pike( legs straight)

	•	BALANCES "V" SIT

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

BASIC EQUIPMENT

	•	HORSE

	•	JUMP ON AND OFF , TURNS , SQUAT , STRADDLE, HANDSPRINGJUMP ON AND OFF

	•

	•	CIRCUIT/STATIONSBEAM

	•	MIMETICS

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

STATION /CIRCUIT EXAMLPES :

#1. Jump on and off horse( turns , skateboard skills, etc.)

#2. Crawl through hoops( see above picture)

#3. Hoop Plyometrics( place hoops on floor like a football gaunlet(tires), execute hops(off 1 or 2 feet)

#4. Balance beam plyometrics( jump side to side the length of the beam)

#5. Tumbling skills( at each students progression level)

#6. Hurdling ( fold a mats) in half and either hurdle the 2-3 mats or perform dance or skateboard turns)

NUGGET: Use a safety "crash" mat to land in correctly for the horse skills. For the older students place a mat over the low Parallel bars with a ruether board( take off board). If a trampoline is available , place it behind the bars with tumbling mats to decrease the bounce for a safe landing .

BOARD