Are you looking for a different way to incorporate physical activity into the classroom? Maybe you need a different spin on brain breaks? Maybe you are looking for some carryover from therapies to the classroom with a fitness emphasis? I started to implement marathons (miles, 5k’s, 10k’s) as a motivation to move during the day. Although movement, strengthening, and range of motion are always a focus of therapy sessions, implementing the marathon idea was a different way to look at it and a different way to motivate.
Marathons For Movement Motivation
The first day of “marathon training” we measured out the distance in the hallway. We are in the hallway right now because we are in Minnesota, and the conditions can be brutal outdoors in the winter. I hope to get outside when the weather cooperates.
Once the distances were measured we figured out how many laps we were going to have to do to make a mile.
I like to show my student(s) a YouTube video about what exactly a marathon (mile, 5k, 10k etc) is and get them excited for what they are working to accomplish.
I made a chart with boxes to color in for each mile of half mile or mile walked. It varies from student to student but I try to have the chart somewhere in their classroom where they can see it during the day and not just when I am there. This chart distance can be varied based on the distance you are trying to achieve
If this is something that you want carried over in the classroom it is important to educate the people who will be carrying this out in how to work your chart and why you are doing this.
So far completing our marathons has been fun! It doesn’t take up our entire session but we start out our session working on our marathon or some students may be doing their marathon with their class or paraprofessional. I’ve also started implementing in marching, sidestepping, crossover steps etc. into our time. It’s been a great way to encourage movement during the day for my kids too.
More Fitness Resources
Pink Oatmeal has a huge collection of fitness resources for you to choose from. All of these resources are designed especially for kids with input from Pink Oatmeal readers, members, and subscribers as to what they need!
CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE FITNESS RESOURCES
Below are a handful of the resources available for fitness at Pink Oatmeal. Click on the name link below to get a detailed view of each resource.
Jumping Task Cards Bilateral Coordination Core Strengthening Balance Exercises and Progressions Ball Exercise Task Cards Lower Extremity Strengthening Upper Extremity Strength Fitness Bundle Fitness Circuit Fitness Bingo Yoga Games Fitness Fun PE Stations Kids Yoga Yoga Circuit Seated Exercise Cards and Printables Wheelchair Cards and Printables Active and Dynamic Range of Motion Yoga Dudes Bran Breaks and Printables Bilateral Coordination Bundle 
Editable Fitness Cards Core Strength Bundle Exercise Task Card Bundle Construction Fitness Signs Wheelchair Strength Spinner Spinner Strength Exercise
