One Bone, Two Dogs

Learning Outcomes

Develop balance and core strength.
Foster teamwork and communication skills.
Practice locomotor skills like walking and running.
Participate in a fun and engaging group activity.

Description Of Activity

Warm-Up (5 minutes):
Get the Wiggles Out (2 minutes): Play some fun, upbeat music (optional) and have students jog lightly in place or do jumping jacks to get their heart rate up.
Twist and Turn (1 minute): Ask students to stand with their feet shoulder-width apart. Have them make large arm circles forward and backward for 30 seconds each.
Balancing Buddies (2 minutes): Pair students up and have them stand side-by-side. Ask them to practice balancing on one leg for a few seconds at a time, switching legs.

Activity (20 minutes):

1. Setting Up the Course (5 minutes):
Choose an open space in the gym or playground.
Use cones or other markers to create a simple obstacle course with a variety of challenges:
Tunnels: Place chairs or benches back-to-back to create low tunnels for students to crawl through.
Stepping Stones: Space out cones to create stepping stones for students to hop across.
Winding Path: Use cones to mark a path with twists and turns.
Adjust the difficulty of the course based on the age and ability of your students.

2. Partner Up and Explain the Challenge (5 minutes):
Have students find a partner and stand side-by-side. Explain the "One Bone, Two Dogs" challenge:
The pool noodle is the "bone" that the two "dogs" (students) need to carry together.
Students will hold the pool noodle horizontally between their shoulders, one hand each.
Their goal is to navigate the obstacle course while keeping the bone balanced.
Demonstrate how to hold the pool noodles together and walk carefully, emphasizing good posture and core engagement.

3. The One Bone, Two Dogs Challenge (10 minutes):
Students take turns navigating the obstacle course with their partner, balancing the bone on their shoulders.
If the bone falls, they can pick it up and start again from where they dropped it. Encourage them to communicate and adjust their positions as needed to maintain balance.
Focus on teamwork and collaboration. Partners can use verbal cues ("Left foot first!" "Ready?") and physical adjustments to help each other stay balanced. 
Celebrate successful attempts and encourage struggling pairs with positive reinforcement. 
Emphasize safety; remind students to move cautiously around the obstacles and avoid collisions.

Different "Bones": Introduce different objects for the "bone" depending on difficulty:
Easier: Use a scarf held taut between the students' shoulders.
Harder: Try balancing a frisbee on their upturned hands (requires more core strength and coordination).
Treasure Hunt: Hide small objects (beanbags, balls) around the obstacle course. Students navigate the course with their bones while searching for hidden treasures. This adds an extra layer of fun and encourages exploration.

Cool-Down (5 minutes):
Gentle Stretches: Lead the class in some gentle stretches for their arms, legs, and core muscles, focusing on areas that may have been used most during the activity.
Light Walking or Jumping Jacks: Have students walk or do slow jumping jacks for a few minutes to cool down gradually.

Remember:
One Bone, Two Dogs provides a fun and engaging way for young students to develop balance, teamwork, communication, and locomotor skills. By incorporating playful challenges and variations, you can create a memorable PE experience that gets everyone working together and having a blast!

Variations

Relay Race: Divide the class into teams of two pairs each. Each team lines up with their "bone" (pool noodle). The first pair in each team navigates the obstacle course, then passes the bone to the next pair in line. The first team to finish wins!

Equipment/Material Required

Pool noodles (cut in half, one per pair of students) - Make sure the noodles are a safe and manageable size for young children.
Soft beanbags or playground balls (one per pair of students) - Choose soft, lightweight objects that won't hurt if accidentally dropped.
Cones or other markers (enough to create an obstacle course)
Chairs or benches (optional, for creating tunnels)
Upbeat music (optional)