Practising One-Foot Balance Poses
About this lesson
Children learn three simple tricks for staying steady: look at one spot, keep a tight tummy and use their arms. They then hold four one-foot poses on each foot for longer and longer counts. It takes about 12 minutes and works in the gym or a cleared classroom. You only need a whiteboard and marker.
- Grade
- 1
- Subject
- Gym & PE
- Time
- 12 min
- Prep
- 2 min
Objective
Students will hold a balance on one foot for 10 seconds on each side, using a focus point, a tight tummy and their arms to stay steady.
Prep
2 min: write four pose names with stick drawings on the board (Airplane, Flamingo, Stork, Tree)
Materials
- whiteboard
- marker
Steps
- Have children spread out so they cannot touch anyone with arms stretched wide, then say, 'Pick one spot on the wall to stare at. That is your balance spot.'
- Teach the three tricks: 'Eyes on your spot, squeeze your tummy tight, arms out to help.' Have everyone lift one foot a little off the floor, count to 5 together, then switch feet.
- Point to each pose on the board and demonstrate it: Airplane (arms out, lean forward slightly), Flamingo (foot resting on the other ankle), Stork (knee up high) and Tree (hands together above the head). Children hold each pose for 5 seconds on one foot, then on the other.
- Call out poses in mixed order and count slowly to 10. If someone wobbles, they touch their foot down, find their spot again and keep going.
- Finish by asking, 'Which foot was easier? Which trick helped you the most?' Take three or four answers.
Quick Check
Call out 'Stork, other foot' and count to 10. Watch who can hold it while using a focus point and their arms, and ask two children to name a trick they used.
Differentiation
Make it easier: Let children lightly touch a wall or chair with one finger, or hold each pose for only 5 seconds.
Make it harder: Have children close their eyes for the last 3 seconds of a pose, or move slowly from one pose to the next without putting the foot down.
Good For
- Morning warm-up
- Brain break
- Transition time
- Supply teacher
