Lesson 1: Introduction to Cooperative Games
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

For our class to be successful, we need to work together. To accomplish that goal, everyone will need to learn to communicate effectively with others and to learn to work as a team. Before we can begin that process, we need to find out about each other. You will be participating in a couple of activities today to help you learn your classmates’ names and something about them.

We will also discuss our rules and discuss our class mission statement that will be posted in the gym.

In our first activity we will be learning your classmates’ names. You will spread out around the gym and jog around the gym when the music starts. When the music stops you must high-five someone and introduce yourself. When the music starts again, you start jogging again and when the music stops, you find a new person to double high-five and introduce yourself. Then find and single high-five the first person you met and say their name. When the music resumes, start jogging again and when the music stops, find someone to touch elbows with and introduce yourself. You will then find the person you doubled high five and then find the person you singled high five. Please say the name of the person after you complete the physical action. We will also be doing back to back, pinky to pinky, toes to toes, and knees to knees. You need to go in order and if you forget the order, you can look on the whiteboard for the order. Your physical education teacher may add more variations to this game.

The second activity will consist of you being in a group of eight to ten students and one student has a small ball. The student with the ball will say his name and toss it to another student. That student will say the student’s name who tossed it and his/her name. They will then pass it to a new person and the ball will continue to be passed around until it is thrown back to the first student who said their name first. He or she will then say all the names of the students in the group. Then each person of the group will try to say all of the names of the students in the group.

After five- ten minutes, move half of the group to a new group and begin again.

Variation- Each person can also say something interesting about themselves. According to class size, you may use smaller numbers in each group and have more groups.

We will also discuss rules and a class mission statement.

At the end of class, the class will sit down as a group and the teacher will ask different classmates something interesting they learned about a classmate they did not know.

Differentiation- For students with disabilities, have them only hive five other students.

Lesson 2: Swamp Machine
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today we will continue our physical and mental challenges. Near the end of class we will continue with the review of rules and mission statement.

For our activity, you will be in groups and will have to transport yourselves across a swamp (defined space) using a tumbling mat. The mat will have its Velcro ends attached so that group members can get inside the unit to operate the machine as they would the tracks of a military tank.

You will have to work together as a team and if you violate one of the rules, sacrifices (consequences) will result. In every day situations, if you break rules, you have consequences. Can anyone give me an example?

You will begin on one side of the gym at a designated island (two unfolded tumbling mats, side by side). Two, three, or four members may get in the swamp machine and maneuver across the swamp to the other side of the swamp (dry land). Some of the members may get out of the swamp machine, but at lest two group members must stay inside the swamp machine to take it back to the island to pick up more group members. You will have to trade places because no group member may take more than two consecutive trips across the swamp. You will continue this challenge until all members are on the other side of the swamp.

Here are the rules and sacrifices:
1. If a group member touches the floor (swamp), that person and one successful person (on dry land) must go back to the island.
2. If the swamp machine falls apart, no sacrifice is required if the group members in the swamp machine repair it while it is in the swamp. If the group members in the swamp machine cannot repair it while it is in the swamp, the entire group must return to the island.
3. No group member may take more than two consecutive trips across the swamp. If a group member does so, then one person from dry land must go back to the island.
4. Two, three, or four group members must always be in the swamp machine as it crosses the swamp. If one or more than four members occupy the swamp machine, the entire group must start the challenge from the beginning.
5. Group members may not use last names or put-downs.

After students complete the challenge, rotate the students.

We will also review the rules for the class and discuss our class mission statement.

Variations- Give a time limit. Challenge the group to get their teammates across the swamp in less than four moves.

Differentiation- For students with disabilities, if they cannot be inside the mat, have them touch their hand to mat and walk across the swamp with their hand staying on the mat the entire time.

Lesson 3: Magic Bases
Duration: 45 minutes or 1 class period

Today we will continue our challenges and near the end of class we will continue with the review of rules and mission statement.

For this challenge you must hold hands as you travel through a figure-eight pattern of poly spot. Team members may step on the poly spots only after they enter the path. You may not touch the floor or speak to one another during the journey. Group members may touch the floor when they step off the exit base, but you may not release your hands from your teammates.

The poly spots will be set up in a figure-eight pattern, with one loop open. One base will be the designated starting base and another will be the exit base. The bases will be a big step apart.

Rules and Sacrifices
1. The team must travel the figure-eight pattern with members holding hands. Hands may not come apart.
2. Team members may not touch the floor between the entry base and the exit base.
3. No more than four feet may be on one poly spot at a time.
4. No one may call others by their last names or use put-downs.
5. If a rule is broken, the entire group must start the task from the beginning.

After the group has successfully completed the task, split the group members up and place them in a new group.

Additions and Variations:
Once a teammate steps on a base, he or she may speak. Group members may not speak until they reach the first base.

Give the team a time limit or time the challenge with other groups.

No more than two feet may touch a poly spot.

Alternate the direction that each person faces as group members line up to hold hands.

After you have been in several groups, we will come together and discuss what helped you be successful and what hindered you. We will also review the class rules and discuss the final draft for our class mission statement that will be posted in the gym.

Differentiation:
For students with disabilities they may only place one foot on a poly spot if they cannot keep their balance.