I am always trying to challenge my students in different ways to not only make it more enjoyable but more physically challenging. If students can learn to push their bodies more than their limit, they will find themselves feeling more successful and stronger. I found myself on Twitter looking at different activities, where I saw an activity which involved hula hoops and beanbags. The activity had more of a relay style but with a fitness component. When I did this activity with my students, I thought, “How can I use the same equipment, but turn this activity into something different which will make it more challenging and fun for the students?” This is when I came up with the Four square Hula Hoop activity.
Equipment Used:
- 4 hula hoops
- 4 bean bags
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Four Square Hula Hoop: Setup & Instructions
Students will get in a group of 4. Each student will have a hula hoop and a bean bag. Set up the hula hoops in the shape of a square, and have one bean bag in each hula hoop. On your “GO” signal, students will be in the push-up position, with their hands behind their hula hoop trying to toss bean bag(s) into the other three hula hoops. When you give the “STOP” signal, students will see how many bean bags they have in their hula hoop. Each bean bag represents a point. The object of the activity is to have the fewest amount of points at the end of each round.
When the bags are being tossed out of the hoops, you can have the student that tossed the bag out of the ring go return it.
Variations:
- Have students start in different positions (standing, plank, crab, one foot, knees)
- Use different equipment: (scarves, critters, dice, reaction balls)
- Have multiple pieces of equipment to start the activity
- Team up students with the person next to them
- Have partners in the same hula hoop (this would require 8 students per square)
Students loved this activity! It works on teamwork, fitness, spatial awareness, and underhand throwing skills. It’s a competitive activity but enjoyable, where the students don’t realize how much work/energy they are doing until they are done. Activities where you can have students multi-task or work on multiple skills help them grow as a learners and as individuals.
4 square plank hula hoop challenge! #mjejags #katyphysed #physed pic.twitter.com/bfTtxdg00R
— Kash Aleem (@Physedmanrising) April 27, 2017
About the Author:
Kash Aleem attended the University of Texas and received his Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology. He has been teaching Physical Education for 9 years. In 2014, he was a CATCH Champion for the state of Texas. His school in 2014-15 was recognized as a National Exemplary School for Physical Education from TAHPERD. Kash has been nominated for Teacher of the Year twice, and most recently was inducted as a lifetime PTA member. He currently opened a new school this year called Maydell Jenks Elementary. Kash strives to help his students be physically literate, accumulate health knowledge, and learn the skills needed to be successful. He wants his students to feel confident when they go in the real world that they can try any sport/health related activity.
Follow Kash Aleem on Twitter @physedmanrising and Facebook at Jenks Physical Education.
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Thank you for sharing this game. do you have pre-k/1 games that I can play in small area
Thank you again
Hi there, you may be able to find some ideas here (https://www.ssww.com/blog/?s=grades&submit=Search) but it depends on how limited your space is. We do also have an article specifically about limited spaces. https://www.ssww.com/blog/teaching-physical-education-in-limited-space/. Hope that helps!
I taught physical education for 40 years. Retired now and working with Parkinson’s patients and this will be a great activity in that class. Thank you for sharing.
what grade levels do you do this game with?
Grades K-5 can do this activity. The younger the grades, the less time you can play each round due to fatigue. Give it a try and let me know how it goes.
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I am a PE teacher and going to try this tomorrow with my students as a warm up thanks
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I like this idea! I have a small space area, so I will see if it will fit into my space. Thanks for sharing!
I’m a former PE teacher and now a substitute teacher.. this will be a great “brain break ” activity and warm up!!!
Great activity. I love the different variations.
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Love this! Thanks for sharing!
Very creative idea
Penalty points for throwing out of the hoops and not stopping on the signal. Low score wins, right?!
This is the only problem I see with a great idea. What to do when the bags are being tossed out of the hoops.
How about making the student that tosses the bag out of the ring go return it.
Hi Curt, this is a great idea, thanks for sharing! I will add it to the blog post.
To motivate students to accurately toss the beanbags in partner hoops rather than simply flinging away, give separate “Reward Points” to foursomes who at “Stop” signal have all 4 bean bags within hoops.
Very good, very creative. I am also a teacher and we have to be creative in this area.
Best P.E. teacher! Our students love Cioach Akeem! He’s always pushing not only our students but he encourages our staff too!