Stretch Toward North: Stretching by Bearings

The teacher leads stretches by naming a direction ("lunge toward the south," "arm toward the northwest"), and at the end the class checks whether everyone is pointing the same way. It mixes a cool-down with an orientation challenge.

How to play

1. Recall where north is using a fixed landmark in the yard (1 min).
2. Leg stretches by direction: long lunge toward the south, leg straight toward the east, switch sides (3 min).
3. Arm and trunk stretches by direction: arm toward the northwest, side bend toward the west (2 min).
4. Challenge: eyes closed, the teacher calls a direction and everyone points; open your eyes and see if you match (2 min).

Rules

• Hold each stretch about 20 seconds, no bouncing.
• Two arm lengths from your neighbors.
• No walking with eyes closed: only turn in place.
• Stretching shouldn't hurt; stop at a gentle pull.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: seated trunk and arm stretches with the same direction challenge.
• Low vision: the teacher adds a sound cue (a clap from the north).
• Injury: replace the stretch for the injured area by pointing to the direction.

Learning goals

• Cool down with gentle stretches.
• Keep your bearings without looking.
• Review the compass rose directions.

Teacher tip

Use a landmark visible from the whole yard, like a building or a tall tree. Opening their eyes usually gets laughs; use it to ask what cue they relied on.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Middle School