My Jump Leaves a Footprint

Each child jumps forward with feet together from a line and drops a beanbag where they landed, then tries to get a little past their own mark. They practice the broad jump and personal improvement without competing against anyone.

How to play

1. Practice the kangaroo jump: swing arms back, crouch, and throw arms forward as you jump (3 min).
2. Each child has their own chalk lane; jump from the line and drop the beanbag where your heels land (3 min).
3. Try to reach or pass your beanbag, and move it forward when you do (5 min).
4. Draw a chalk footprint at your best jump (3 min).
5. Look at everyone's footprints and give a big round of applause (1 min).

Rules

• I start with feet together behind the line.
• I only look at my beanbag, not my friend's.
• I land with bent knees and don't fall backward.
• Every good jump is my own jump.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: toss the beanbag as far as possible from the wheelchair and try to beat it.
• Visual impairment: a brightly colored beanbag, with an adult clapping from where it landed.
• Autism: a lane in their color and only their own progress is mentioned.

Learning goals

• Jump forward using an arm swing.
• Set and reach a simple goal.
• Value one's own progress.

Equipment for a class of 25

• sidewalk chalk: 6
• beanbags: 25

Teacher tip

Focus on the arm swing—it's what improves the jump most at this age. Never compare kids out loud; the phrase is "You passed your beanbag!"

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