Clock Warm-up
Clock warm-up: students imagine they are standing on a clock and step, jump or reach to the hours called.
How to play
- Each student imagines a clock on the floor around them.
- Call hours: they step to that number and back (12 forward, 6 back, 3 right, 9 left).
- Add jumps and reaches.
- Call combinations ("3 then 9").
Rules
- Keep space around you.
- Return to the center after each move.
Variations
Easier
Steps only.
Standard
Steps and jumps.
Harder
Fast combinations.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: arm reaches to the hours.
- Attention needs: draw the clock with chalk.
Learning goals
- Warm up legs and reaction.
- Develop spatial orientation.
PatioLab has "Clock Warm-up" and 599 more activities ready to drag into your lesson and run from your phone in the gym.
More warm-ups for Elementary
Active Blind Man's Bluff
Active "Blind Man's Bluff": a partner guides a blindfolded classmate by voice so they can tag the others.
Active Corners
Active corners: each corner of the area has an exercise; students run to the corner called and do that exercise.
Animal Races
Animal races: students move like different animals across the space — a fun way to warm up all major muscle groups.
Around the World
Around the world: each area of the playground is a continent and students travel between them doing different moves.
Balance Pose Challenge
Balance pose challenge: students hold balance poses alone, in pairs and in small groups, improving stability and body control.
Body Echo
Body echo: the teacher makes a sound or rhythm with the body (claps, stomps) and students repeat it like an echo.
