Notifications on the Move: Every Alert, a Movement

A reaction warm-up in which each type of phone notification becomes a movement. It gets the body going and opens the lesson with a question about how often screens interrupt us every day.

How to play

1. Explain the code: a 'like' is a jump with a clap overhead, a 'message' is a change of direction, a 'call' is a 5-meter sprint, and 'airplane mode' is an easy jog breathing through the nose (1 min).
2. Students jog freely around the whole area while the teacher calls out notifications at a slow pace (2 min).
3. Increase how often the alerts come and chain two or three in a row, like when a phone will not stop buzzing (2 min).
4. One student becomes the 'phone' and calls out the alerts; the role rotates every 30 seconds (2 min).
5. Bring the group together and ask how many times an hour they think they check their phone; announce that the lesson is about screens and movement (1 min).

Rules

• All movement is non-contact and students always look ahead.
• Sprints go in a straight line and students stop within two or three steps.
• Anyone who does the wrong movement keeps playing with no penalty.
• Keep at least 6 feet from others when changing direction.

Variations

Adaptations

• Hearing impairment: alerts are also shown with colored cards or agreed hand signals.
• Visual impairment: moves with a sighted guide holding the elbow, in an area with no obstacles.
• Limited mobility: does the gestures with the arms and moves at their own pace in a wheelchair or walking.

Learning goals

• Activate the cardiorespiratory system and reaction speed.
• Connect phone interruptions with loss of attention in a playful way.
• Take on the role of group leader during the warm-up.

Teacher tip

Mark the area clearly so sprints do not end at a wall. The closing question links to the main part of the lesson without judging anyone's habits.

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