In January most classes spent part of the time learning a Hula dance, which was aimed at our Multicultural Event's focus on Polynesian Culture. Some students were concerned by or embarrassed about all the isolated movements of the hips, which opened dialog about cultural normalcy of dress, diet, exercise, and movement. The conversations and context about culture and it's correlations with movement is a useful tool for understanding wellness practices that are as effective as they are unfamiliar.
The study of Hula was neither terribly in-depth nor intense, but serves to tune a students bodily awareness to in isolated group of skeletal muscles; to challenge movement and muscle memory; to challenge directional and spatial awareness; and as an unexpected "foot in the door" for the hip-hop lessons that will follow.
The introspective, low-intensity nature of the Hula lessons were paired with high intensity games of Chase called (Dog&)Cat&Mouse and Catching Fish. These games requires speed, agility, quick decision-making, fluid focus, spatial awareness, and attention to detail.
Cat&Mouse is a sprint game of chase. Students stand in groups of 2 or 3 and serve as bases (or Mouse Holes). One student is designated Mouse, another is Cat, and you can figure out who is chasing whom. If the Cat tags the Mouse, the Mouse becomes the Cat (and Cat becomes Mouse) tries to instantly tag back. Either Cat or Mouse can go to a base of students, join the group, and bump a new Cat or Mouse off the other end. For a much more challenging version, add a Dog who chases the Cat who chases the Mouse who chases the Dog...
Catching Fish is a version of a Blob Tag and Infection Tag and uses more stamina than sprinting, and requires very different strategies and solutions. One student starts chasing all the others. A student tagged joins the tagger's hand until they are a group or "net" of 4, at which time they divide into 2 nets of 2 and pursue other "fish" (those yet un-tagged).
Next students will explore a cultural and dance phenomenon: Hip-Hop.
Be Healthy,
Matthew Smith
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