Where I Am:  Engage in games and dances of countries that you have learned about in Social Studies. Using the land formations of those places, have the students use climbing movements for mountains or stroking movements for rivers.

Math Matters:  Students can pull names of historical figures from a hat, use the total number of letters in the name to create a math problem.  Take the answer to the problem and have them do jumping jacks, squats etc.  (James Madison 5 + 7 = 12; 12 squats).  Based on students’ level of knowledge, they can then monitor heart before and after the activity and chart the results.

Fine and gross motor skills can be used to spell words or bring to life the meaning of new vocabulary. Students can use their fingers or head movements to spell a given word; or their whole body to demonstrate movements, i.e. slither, fly etc. 

Spell What:  Using 8 x 11” sheets of random colored paper, make multiple sets of the alphabet and place them around the perimeter of the room.  When you say the word, selected students or teams must find the letter and spell the word.  The fastest student or team may be rewarded with stickers, extra play time, quiet time or 1 question deleted from the homework assignment.  This can also be used to reinforce color or shape identification with younger children.

Scavenger Hunt:  Hide objects, or cards with information that is or has been learned around the room and have the students retrieve them.  Up the ante by refining the hunt by category or use a timer to locate the card and answer the question, as applicable.  To extend it throughout the day or week, use a set time to find clues at designated intervals, this will give students more opportunities to move.

 Physical Activity Dice: Can be purchased or made using square tissue boxes. One dice has numbers on each side, the other has physical activity. With a roll, they have a new physical activity to master. Roll a 5 and toe touches. The group of students does 5 toe touches.

Movement Jenga: Write physical activities on each Jenga block. When a child successfully removes a block they lead the activity, with the entire group participating.

Last kid Standing:  here is an alternative to musical chairs; Freeze Dance Game. Students stand at their seats or in the center of the room (gym).  When the music starts, dancing begins and stops when the music stops.  Those still moving are out until the last kid is standing.   Again, this can be done in teams.

Hula Hoop Roll: Divide the class into teams and have them stand in equal lines with the first child holding a hula hoop.  When you say go, the student rolls the hula hoop a given the distance and handing it to the first student in that line and returns it back to the other side.  The first team to have everyone run the distance is the winner. Want more, add some obstacles in the path.