A Warm-Up for Everyone: Redesign It with Adaptations

Groups start from a standard warm-up and redesign it so a classmate with a specific situation can do it: wheelchair user, low vision, deafness, taped ankle or strong anxiety. Students learn to warm up without leaving anyone out.

How to play

1. The teacher leads a five-minute standard warm-up for everyone (5 min).
2. Groups of five get a scenario card and flag which drills don't work or are unsafe for that person (5 min).
3. They redesign the warm-up keeping each phase's goal: if someone can't jog, how do they raise their pulse? (8 min).
4. Test it: one member simulates the situation (sitting in a chair, blindfolded with a guide, unable to hear...) and the rest do it with them (8 min).
5. Each group shares its best adaptation, and the class chooses three to use in future lessons (4 min).

Rules

• Simulations are respectful: no jokes about any disability.
• Anyone blindfolded always has a guide and never moves fast.
• The adaptation must let people do the drill together, not separately.

Variations

Adaptations

• Students with a real disability in the group: if they wish, they act as the group's adviser; they're never asked to explain their own case.
• Deaf or hard-of-hearing students: cards and instructions are written.
• Students who don't want to simulate: they can be the guide or observer.

Learning goals

• Adapt drills so everyone can take part.
• Keep the goal of each warm-up phase.
• Value the diversity of the group.

Equipment for a class of 25

• scenario cards: 6
• blindfolds: 6
• chairs: 6

Teacher tip

Choose scenarios carefully for your class, and don't use a specific student's situation without talking to them first. If you don't have blindfolds, a clean bandana or neck gaiter works.

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