Blue Mat Adventures

Overview

Welcome to Blue Mat Adventures! This gym game is designed for 7th graders to promote teamwork, coordination, and physical fitness. Students will engage in a series of fun physical challenges using blue mats as the central theme. They will work together to complete tasks, navigate obstacles, and build a sense of community in the gym.

Setup

1. Materials Needed:

   • Blue mats (one for each station or challenge)
   • Cones or markers to define areas
   • Whistle (to signal start and stop of challenges)
   • Stopwatch or timer to keep track of challenge durations

2. Space Arrangement:

   • Set up several stations within the gym, each with a blue mat.
   • Ensure that the space is clear enough for running and performing physical tasks.
   • Create designated areas for both team challenges and individual tasks.

Game Rules

1. Starting the Game:

   • Gather students around and explain the game rules clearly.
   • Emphasize the importance of teamwork, safety, and fair play.

2. Team Formation:

   • Divide the class into balanced teams. Each team should have an equal number of players.
   • Teams will rotate between different stations.

3. Challenge Rounds:

   • Each station will have a unique challenge using the blue mats.
   • Challenges can range from relay races on the mats to creative obstacle courses.
   • Teachers can use a whistle to signal the start and end of a challenge round (suggested duration: 3-5 minutes per station).

4. Winning the Game:

   • At the end of the session, celebrate teamwork and effort rather than simply focusing on speed or competition.
   • Consider highlighting best team strategies and moments of collaboration.

Sample Challenges

Challenge 1: Mat Relay Race

• Objective: Each team must race across a series of blue mats without stepping off the mat.
• Instructions: Players start on one end and must reach the other end, tag the next teammate, and come back.
• Follow-Up Points: Discuss with students the importance of speed and balance.

Challenge 2: Obstacle Circuit

• Objective: Navigate through a circuit that includes jumping over or crawling under the blue mats.
• Instructions: Set up mats in a circuit pattern. Each team sends one member at a time to complete the circuit.
• Follow-Up Points: Ask students how they felt while moving between obstacles and what strategies they used to navigate efficiently.

Challenge 3: Team Mat Art

• Objective: Create a design or pattern using the blue mats arranged on the gym floor.
• Instructions: Each team is given a few minutes to arrange their mats in a pattern or picture that represents teamwork.
• Follow-Up Points: Invite teams to explain their design choices and discuss how they communicated to achieve a common goal.

Teacher Tips

• Adjust Difficulty: Modify the challenges based on your students’ skill levels and fitness.
• Encourage Collaboration: Highlight moments of teamwork and ask for reflections at the end of each challenge.
• Safety First: Always ensure students are aware of their surroundings and that the gym space is free of hazards.
• Feedback: Ask students what their favorite challenge was and how they felt about the teamwork required.

Enjoy the adventure and let the blue mats inspire daily physical fitness and collaboration!