P.E. Lesson Plan that Kids Will Love: Parachute Fun

Do you remember how excited you were as a kid when you played with a parachute in P.E. class? This classic game that children have enjoyed in P.E. for years is still a favorite. This complete P.E. lesson, Parachute Fun, with objectives, standards, and lesson activities, provides simple to follow instructions for playing parachute games with children. Although it is designed for a larger class, the games can be adapted to fit the number of students that will be playing the parachute games.

Parachute Fun P.E. Lesson

Number of Students: approx. 20
Length of Class: 30 minutes

Equipment Needed: Parachute, 6 bean bags, beach ball



Parachute Fun P.E. Lesson Objectives:


1. Students will participate in activities that develop muscular strength and endurance.

2. Students will apply movement concepts such as body and space awareness, relationships, and qualities of movement to a variety of locomotor and body management skills.

3. Students will understand how each person makes a contribution when attaining common goals in an activity.

NASPE Standards for Parachute Fun P.E. Lesson:

Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
Standard 2: Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.
Standard 3: Participates regularly in physical activity.
Standard 4: Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.
Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity.
Standard 6: Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction.


Parachute Fun P.E. Activities:

Movement Skills & Concepts: Through parachute play, students will use locomotor and non-locomotor skills to build strength, agility, coordination, and endurance as well as learn cooperation skills.

The entire class will perform a variety of exercises and activities with a parachute as follows:

Good morning, good night-Everyone tuck yourself underneath the parachute. Pull the chute up to your chin and pull it tight. Do sit ups and say "good morning". Return to flat position and say "good night".

Elevator-Begin with chute taut at ground level. On "elevator up", lift the chute overheard while keeping it tight. On "elevator down", lower the chute to starting position. Repeat.

Running in place-Run in a circle while holding the chute at different levels.

Blooming flower-Children make a dome and kneel with both knees on the edge of the chute. Hold hands around the chute and lean in and out to represent a blooming flower.

Mushroom release-Let go of the parachute at the peak of inflation and move to
the center and sit down. The chute will come down on top of students.

Popcorn-Place 6 beanbags on the chute. Shake the chute and make them rise like
corn popping. This can also be done with foam or soft rubber balls.

Ball circle-Place a beach ball in the middle of the chute. Make the ball roll
around the chute in a large circle by moving the chute up and down.

Making waves-Use large movements to make big waves. Use small movements
to make small waves.

Chute crawl-Stand and hold the chute tight. Every other student crawls under the chute to the opposite side.

Merry-go-round-Students move in a circle while holding the chute by galloping, walking, hopping, sliding, etc.

Teaching Hints/Cues for Parachute Fun P.E. Lesson:


*Terms such as inflate, deflate, float, dome, and mushroom need to be clarified when introduced.
*At the beginning of the lesson, the parachute should be stretched out on the ground in a circular pattern. The students can sit around the parachute, but far enough away to not touch it until all of the directions have been given.
* Explain the activity, demonstrating as needed. If there are no questions, use the cue "Ready-begin!"
*Emphasize the importance of cooperation. Without everyone working together, the tasks cannot be accomplished.

Sources:

http://www.aahperd.org/Naspe/

http://www.youthwork-practice.com/games/parachute-games.html