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Original poster

Urgent ideas needed please!

29 replies

PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 00:29

Posting here for traffic, but if anyone thinks it's better elsewhere, please say.

It's Tues morning here, DD (yr6) didn't eat breakfast, looking upset, tells me she hates school, eventually comes out with what's bothering her.

This Thurs, she and two other girls in a group are to run the sports session for her class, for 45mins. We've just had easter long weekend, DD was off ill for a day before that, and these 'friends' have been sidelining and excluding her for a few weeks (one was her best friend a few weeks ago, now seems to be spreading lies) so there's tension there already.
I've already spoken to the teacher, DD can't move into another gp, so they've got to come up with something by tomorrow so they can iron it out together before running it on thu.

Me and DD have no idea. She said they have to use things from the sports equipment cupboard, usual hula hoops, cone markers etc. The previous groups have done modified British bulldog, and an obstacle course type thing. I can't remember any childhood games to modify. I'm drawing a blank. It will be outdoors with plenty of space (not in UK).

Does anyone have any ideas? We're having a tough time with dh away, job/money worries, friend going into hospital for two cancer ops, looking after her dogs, DD having shitty friends... This is the last straw. And I have a day to come up with something. Please help!

OP posts:
Jon66 · 03/04/2018 00:36

We used to do the assault course thing with cones and islands and things and then play doing statues. So when the whistle blows you have to remain still. It can be fun if you are in the middle of the vaulting horse and can't stop. You can each have 3 lives and once they are gone you sit out. The winner is the last statue remaining. You could have islands on which to hula hoop as well, you get the idea.

lapetitesiren · 03/04/2018 00:38

What about a human gymkhana. Make low jumps and use a stopwatch to time people around. Lose points for getting the course wrong or knocking down a jump. If it's a big class just eliminate for faults. Raise jumps for round 2. Can warm up by running around the route of the course without jumping. Rosette badges for the winners or all those who do a clear round.
Best i can think of.

csa26 · 03/04/2018 00:44

Human table football; teams have to be lined up as they would be on the table (linking arms) and are only allowed to move sideways. Three-legged football also good - just make sure the ties are soft as an over enthusiastic player could give her partner rope burns otherwise!

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 04:10

Thanks for the ideas :). I think all the kids have to be in motion, so no sitting out unfortunately, but the assault course/gymkhana are good ideas.

The human football table could be entertaining, I'll have a think about the logistics...
Thank you, I don't feel quite so bad about it now there's a few ideas to play with!

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makeithappen1973 · 03/04/2018 05:38

How about a relay race but dry land swimming. They go ito groups of 6 and they have to move from one end of the pitch to the other using differnet swim strokes, they also have to wear goggles, arm bands and swim ring and they need to dress the next person after them in these. The first team to finiish are the winners. You can then repeat using a different swim stroke!
Also chase the flag. You create two teams either end of the pitches and place 3 flags behind each team, the idea is to get the flags to the other end of the pitch. If you get tagged by a person from the other team you have to stand on the sidelines until a member from your team comes and tags you back in. once all 3 flags are the other end thats the winning team.
I hope i've explained these well enough!

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 08:07

Asked DD about the ideas so far when she got back from school, and she's looking a lot happier, thank you all.
Still undecided, bumping for UK times. :)

OP posts:
Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 11:28

And we have a winner :) thx all.

OP posts:
lapetitesiren · 03/04/2018 12:07

Ooo. Suspense. What did she choose.

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 13:30

Smile human table football, with capture the flags as a close second - she'll discuss with the other two girls tomorrow and see what they think. We were pretty impressed with all of them tbh, but those two had the advantage of all kids in play at all times, with an indefinite end to fill as much time as needed. Grin

OP posts:
RainyAfternoon · 03/04/2018 13:35

Could also do human naughts and crosses done as a relay race for a warm up m.youtube.com/watch?v=IRDp5HcZyVA good fun

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 13:46

Loved it rainy, thx! I'll show her it in the morning.

OP posts:
Bexter801 · 03/04/2018 13:50

Is she very nervous about doing it? If it's causing her a lot of worry,would a day off be so bad?

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 13:55

I think she is a bit nervous, but apparently they'll be doing it again each term, so she'll have to do it eventually.
She did have a day off before easter too, and as much as I sympathise (and remember how much I hated things like that too) I want her to see it's generally not as bad as you thought it would be. Mind you, if she fluffs it up completely I might let her off the next one!

OP posts:
Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 13:56

(tbh, I think a lot of the nerves/dislike of it is more due to the group of not so good friends she's in. Hopefully it will be different next term)

OP posts:
Bexter801 · 03/04/2018 14:03

That's what I was thinking,it's the group of not so nice friends that's deterring her...therefore could it be avoided for the greater good. Or anyway you could offer to help out(keep an eye),with this activity

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 14:09

Ah, I see what you mean. Yes, she'd probably prefer to miss it, she's got cross country the same day and isn't looking forward to that either. I'd feel a right fraud if she were off on thu alone tho. What do you say on the absence note? And her brother would be after the day off too...
It's almost harder when your kids are at school than when you were yourself, sometimes Sad

OP posts:
Bexter801 · 03/04/2018 14:21

I wouldn't feel guilty,your doing what you feel is right for your little girl Smile Hmm,could you maybe just say she's not feeling herself today,so wanted to keep an eye on her,on the absence note(close to the truth as possible) And how old is her brother? Could you try explain to your son sometimes he has days off that your daughter doesn't,and vice versa.

ppeatfruit · 03/04/2018 14:25

Oh I know it doesn't help much while your DD is going through it , but at that age ALL the girls I know and knew ( I was a teacher and a mum of 3) go through that "unpleasant to their friend or friends" stage.

Thistlebelle · 03/04/2018 14:27

I once attended a children’s sports class where the teacher told a story. Every time the teacher mentioned an action everyone had to do the opposite, it was very funny and pretty energetic.

What about something like that?

Alternatively games like ladders, islands, tunnels, bridges, castles etc are good depending on the age group.

lapetitesiren · 03/04/2018 17:02

If any sports coaches are reading this thread I think you should steal all the ideas for adult classes. I would love to play all these games.

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 03/04/2018 22:31

bexter her brother might understand, along with a lot of whinging and wailing! He's year 2.
ppeafruit I know, you're right. After going to bed last night and overthinking it, I'm half convinced DD will be the only one there to present it, as I know one of the girls skived off cross country last year. Not sure about the other. Don't know if I should try and have a word with the teacher, although I'm not sure what this would achieve anyway.
thistle that sounds fun :) we might work on something for next term.

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Bexter801 · 03/04/2018 23:49

Whatever you decide,I hope tomorrow goes ok Smile and you don't spend too much time awake tonight over thinking. Please let us know how it goes

Mynewnameforabit · 04/04/2018 00:00

PE assignments can be a nightmare for the less keen! I remember being away I'll, and coming back to find the class has done some apparatus activity in pairs the week I was off, which was so great the head was coming to view it (she was terrifying and aloof, but this was seen as a great honour..).
I got lair d with another DC who had also been off sick the precious week, and we had to improvise, as each pair did their thing, one at a time!
She fell off on her head, from a very low height, but was sick everywhere, and had to got to hospital. At the same time, I caught my toe on the rough wooden floor and cut it open leaving a trail of blood, and had to go to sick bay to get it dressed...
I still remember the silence as we both were ushered out - the shame Grin.

Mynewnameforabit · 04/04/2018 00:02

(I should add that the girl who fell on her head was absolutely fine)

Original poster
PollyGasson24 · 04/04/2018 00:36

OMG mynewname, that must have been awful! Glad you can laugh about it nowGrin
DD has gone in to school just now with a little note do she can explain to the others Smile. I asked what would happen if the two skived off because of cross country and she cheerfully told me the teacher would get her to choose two from the class to help set up. So as long as she knows what she's doing for thu, it wouldn't be a disaster if the others weren't there (in fact it might be better). Smile

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