Skill Builders

Many times, especially with older students I use skill builders as an instant activity that can be self-started as students
arrive to class. Some involve a skill tracking sheet that is kept in portfolios. This provides evidence of growth that is built
​into the class as formative assessment.

Skill Ladders

Skill Ladders are lists of physical challenges. They are great to use as an instant activity that focuses on a specific skill with increasingly difficult challenges for students to complete. Each time a students starts the ladder he/she begins at the bottom and works his/her way up by meeting the criteria listed. As a teacher I always give the same amount of time on a ladder and bring the student's attention to their growth by exploring the fact that they are able to climb higher each time. It works great if you choose a few songs to use for the specific ladders you have chosen. Many times I will offer a few different ladders for students to choose from. The come in, get their equipment and go to work. You are free to visit individuals offering feedback for success. They come to you for feedback, become ladder masters, and offer to help others, etc. 
Learning On The Move Skill Ladders

Blast O' Base Celebrations

Move It & Prove It

Move It & Prove It Challenges are self and peer assessment challenges. A student "Moves It" first, checking themselves off when completing a task. Then he/she asks a peer to watch as he/she "Proves It." I indicate in the third column if a specific skill requires a second "Prove It" with a teacher check. Once familiar with the process this makes a great portfolio skill development tracking sheet. My students love to track their own progress. 
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3rd & 4th Grade Catching Move It & Prove It Skiil Challenge Sheet
Tennis Ball Challenge

3 C's - Connect-Complete-Celebrate

This is a favorite I love to use when students are involved in a striking unit (but could be used with any dual activity). It's simple to set up and allows for a lot of skill practice with many different partners. Students start with a partner, find a space to work in and must complete the "quota." The quota starts with a certain number. I set the quota low at the beginning and then as students get warmed up I increase it. If I set the quota at 4, students must successfully complete 4 (of whatever the skill is) in a row before moving to the next partner. To the side of the gym I have set up two sets of like colored hoops.  To add to this I have a Blast O' Base (video to the left) set up between the sets of hoops. This creates an instant celebration for each success. Once the pair has connected, completed the quota, and celebrated their success,  they run and sound the "alarm." Then one student goes and stands in one color hoop with the other partner moving to the other color. As soon as there is another person standing in the same color hoop there is a new partnership that must go fill the quota. This can be done with tossing, catching, volleying, striking with paddles or rackets, etc.) This very quickly turns into a cardiorespiratory workout as well as a great skill builder.