Welcome back to the 20 days of summer school physical education series! If you are just joining this series, stop right now and check out Summer School Physical Education: Day 1. What Works and What Doesn’t.

The post above details what I will be talking about day to day, and how it can help you improve your social distancing physical education classes in the fall. It also lays out my class size, class time frames and space I am able to use.

If you are currently teaching summer school physical education, please leave comments on what works for you! I love collaborating, so let me know what you’re up to.

Activity #1: Outdoor Free Time

It was a cloudy day, but the cool breeze was perfect for this. In the morning we brought out one of my personal big bouncy balls and played a mini game world cup. Others walked the track, and a few girls in both classes brought out a volleyball to play around with.

My afternoon crew enjoyed a mini game of 2 vs 2 soccer, volleyball and walking the tack. Smiles and laughter all around.

Activity #2: Round Robin Nitroball

Should I just start with the what didn’t work section!? This game is so fun, but unfortunately my morning class struggled due to lack of skill or effort. Which was extremely surprising seeing as how much they liked the actual Nitroball yesterday, and how a lot of them are so energized in the morning.

How to play:

Please take a look at my post Social Distancing in Physical Education Class, and scroll down to watch a video of how to play Round Robin Badminton.

Round Robin Nitro ball is played the exact same way, except volleyball moves. Each team will set up behind the boundary line. One student will serve to the other team, and the first player in line on that team will either bump or set it back immediately, or let it bounce then bump or set it back. By now the next player on the serving team will be in position on their court ready to return the ball back to the opposing teams second player.

The goal is to eliminate the other team completely. Even if there is one player left on team 1, and five players left on team 2, team 1 can still win. That last player just has to eliminate every player one by one on the other team.

What Worked:

This only worked for the students who are decent at volleyball and actually enjoy the sport.

I started them off in smaller teams for distancing reasons, but quickly realized that it wasn’t going well with the morning class. So I made two bigger teams, and it went okay, but the kids who don’t care for volleyball were out immediately.

A couple girls, who just have no desire to move and be proactive about returning the ball seemed a little embarrassed with how quickly they would be out. So for the morning class I scratched this game after just one round.

As for the second class: THEY LOVED THIS GAME! I feel like the best teacher in the world when my students visibly show how much fun they are having at a new game I showed them.

The class wanted boys vs. girls again since the talent is even on both sides (girls a little better). Funny enough the boys actually won three rounds of this game. They had so much fun that I said if you want to keep playing stay on the court, if not you can take your scheduled break now. I jumped in with the girls to play. Students always get excited when you play with them.

Improvements or Modifications:

Playing with a bigger and lighter ball would have worked much better for the morning class. I do not recommend playing with a regular volleyball, unless you have a whole class with excellent volleyball skills.

Try it with those bouncy balls that travel lightly through the air that you can get at Walmart, to help the students be more successful.

Activity #3: Round Robin Badminton

Again, see how this video I have on the Social Distancing Activities in Physical Education Class to understand the concept of this game.

What Worked:

This game was a hit! It went almost as smooth as (afternoon class) Round Robin Nitroball. The great thing about teaching Nitro first, is that they already knew how to play this game.

Improvements or modifications

I kept the teams small at first to practice, and we played on two separate courts. Once they got the hang of it we combined teams.

As long as they all showed they could stay socially distanced in line, we continued playing.

The only thing I would recommend for this game is to play with standard height badminton nets. I was thinking it wouldn’t be a big deal, but students realized they didn’t need to hit the shuttlecock as high, causing it to be almost impossible for their opponent to return it. They started spiking it towards the ground.

Activity #4: Badminton

Unfortunately, we are still had to use our lower Pickleball nets.

So even though we were playing with the wrong equipment, it was still fun. They got great practice in keeping the shuttlecock in the air.

What WOrked:

Everyone was able to have their own rackets, and be social distanced on their own team. I brought out way more shuttlecocks than we needed, to prevent everyone touching the same piece of equipment. Each team was given their own box of shuttlecocks.

Once each class was over, I had students wipe down all of the equipment they used to get ready for the next day.

Improvements or Modifications:

Of course standard height badminton nets would have been ideal, but if you have students struggling with the concept of badminton and the back and forth action, maybe use lower nets to help.

They can practice anywhere, with or without a net. Once they get the hang of it, use whatever you can!

Activity #5: Weight Room

This option was only given to the morning class, because we had the time.

Just because this wasn’t on the agenda, I didn’t make them track their workouts. I’m really proud of the effort this class puts into building their knowledge of exercise equipment, free weights, and cardio machines.

Some of the kids in my afternoon class definitely enjoys the weight room just as much, but there is a lot more of them that would rather not be there. Which is completely fine! As long as I am giving everyone an equal chance to experience new things, or build on the knowledge they already have of working out and fitness.

Overall

I spoke to one of the PE teachers again about the nets we need, and thankfully they are letting us trade gyms on Friday. That way both my classes can get a whole day in of regular badminton and volleyball.

We are just going to focus on tennis and lower net badminton tomorrow indoors since it will be raining, and on Thursday we can use the actual tennis courts.

Of course I’ll keep you posted on how it goes!