Lesson Plan
Move Your Mood!
Students will actively participate in a series of guided physical exercises, demonstrating improved gross motor skills and understanding the positive impact of physical activity on their mood and well-being.
This lesson is important because engaging in physical activity regularly helps improve physical health, reduce stress, enhance focus, and boost overall mood. It teaches students practical ways to incorporate movement into their lives for better well-being.
Audience
7th Grade Special Needs Students
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive exercises, engaging music, and positive reinforcement.
Materials
Music Player and Speakers, Open Space, Optional: Exercise Cards or visual aids, Warm-Up Routine, Cool-Down & Reflection, and Move Your Mood! Slide Deck
Prep
Preparation
15 minutes
- Review the Move Your Mood! Lesson Plan and ensure familiarity with all activities and transitions.
- Set up a music player and speakers with upbeat, appropriate music.
- Clear an open space in the classroom or designated area for movement.
- Review the Move Your Mood! Slide Deck and prepare it for display.
- Print or prepare any optional Exercise Cards or visual aids if you plan to use them.
- Review the Warm-Up Routine and Cool-Down & Reflection materials.
Step 1
Introduction & Warm-Up
5 minutes
- Welcome & Objective (1 minute): Greet students enthusiastically. Briefly introduce the lesson: "Today, we're going to 'Move Your Mood!' We'll do some fun exercises to get our bodies moving and learn how being active makes us feel happier and healthier!"
- Warm-Up Routine (4 minutes): Lead students through the warm-up exercises. Emphasize gentle movements and listening to their bodies. Play upbeat music.
Step 2
Main Activity: Mood Boosting Moves
15 minutes
- Introduce Moves (2 minutes): Show the first exercise on the Move Your Mood! Slide Deck. Explain and demonstrate the movement clearly. Emphasize safety and modifications.
- Guided Practice (10 minutes): Lead students through 3-4 different exercises from the slide deck. Spend about 2-3 minutes on each, with short breaks in between. Encourage participation, provide positive reinforcement, and offer individualized support. Play energetic music.
- Discussion - How it Feels (3 minutes): Pause and ask students: "How does your body feel? How about your mood? Do you notice a difference when you move?" Facilitate a brief discussion, connecting movement to feelings.
Step 3
Cool-Down & Reflection
10 minutes
- Cool-Down & Reflection (7 minutes): Guide students through the cool-down stretches. Focus on slow, controlled movements. Afterwards, distribute the cool-down sheet or facilitate a brief oral reflection on what they learned about moving their mood. Transition to calm music.
- Wrap-Up (3 minutes): Thank students for their participation. Reiterate the main takeaway: "Remember, moving your body can really help 'Move Your Mood!' What's one thing you can do to move your mood later today?"
Slide Deck
Move Your Mood!
Let's get moving to feel great!
Welcome students warmly. Get them excited about moving and feeling good. Briefly introduce the idea that moving our bodies can change how we feel inside.
What is 'Move Your Mood!'?
- It's using our bodies to change how we feel!
- When we move, our brains release 'feel-good' chemicals.
- It helps us feel more energized, focused, and happy!
- It can also help us feel calmer when we're stressed.
Explain what 'Move Your Mood!' means in simple terms. It's about using exercise to help us feel happier, more energized, or calmer.
Warm-Up Time!
Let's get our bodies ready to move with some gentle stretches and movements. Listen to your body!
Transition into the warm-up. Remind students to listen to their bodies and move gently. Play some light, upbeat music.
Move #1: Jumping Jacks
Jump your way to a better mood!
- Start with feet together, arms at your sides.
- Jump feet out wide, raising arms overhead.
- Jump feet back together, bringing arms down.
- Repeat!
Demonstrate jumping jacks. Offer modifications (e.g., stepping side-to-side instead of jumping). Encourage everyone to participate at their own pace.
Move #2: Arm Circles
Wake up those shoulders!
- Stand tall with arms out to the sides.
- Make small circles forward with your arms.
- Then make small circles backward.
- Try medium and large circles too!
Demonstrate arm circles. Remind students to keep their movements controlled. Emphasize breathing.
Move #3: High Knees
Pump those knees!
- Stand with feet hip-width apart.
- Lift one knee towards your chest, then switch.
- Keep a steady rhythm.
- You can march or jog in place!
Demonstrate high knees. Encourage students to lift their knees as high as comfortable. Offer marching in place as a modification.
Move #4: Reach and Touch
Stretch it out!
- Reach your arms high to the sky, stretching your whole body.
- Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes (or as far as you can).
- Feel the stretch in your legs and back.
Demonstrate reaching for the sky and touching toes. Emphasize gentle stretching and not pushing too hard.
Why Do We Exercise?
- Stronger Body: Helps our muscles and bones grow.
- More Energy: Gives us power to do things we love.
- Better Focus: Helps our brains concentrate.
- Happy Mood: Makes us feel good inside!
- Less Stress: Helps us relax and feel calm.
Discuss the benefits of exercise in simple, relatable terms. Ask students if they've noticed any of these benefits during the activity.
Cool-Down Time!
Let's gently slow our bodies down with some calming stretches.
Guide students through the cool-down. Emphasize slow, controlled movements and deep breathing to calm their bodies down.
Move Your Mood! Takeaway
Moving our bodies helps us feel good, inside and out!
- What's one way you can 'Move Your Mood!' this week?
- Remember, even a little movement can make a big difference!
Facilitate a quick reflection. Ask students how they feel now compared to the beginning of the lesson. Encourage them to think about how they can 'move their mood' outside of class.
Activity
Warm-Up Routine
Before we get our main moves on, let's gently wake up our bodies and get them ready! Remember to listen to your body and only do what feels comfortable.
1. Gentle Head Turns (1 minute)
- Slowly turn your head to look over your right shoulder.
- Slowly turn your head to look over your left shoulder.
- Repeat 3-4 times on each side. Feel the stretch in your neck.
2. Shoulder Rolls (1 minute)
- Roll your shoulders forward in a circle, like you're trying to touch your ears.
- Then roll them backward.
- Repeat 5 times in each direction.
3. Arm Swings (1 minute)
- Stand with a slight bend in your knees.
- Gently swing your arms forward and backward, like you're walking.
- Then swing them side to side across your body, giving yourself a hug.
- Repeat for 30 seconds for each swing type.
4. Marching in Place (1 minute)
- Lift your knees one at a time, marching slowly in place.
- Swing your arms gently as you march.
- Continue for 1 minute, gradually picking up the pace if it feels good.
Activity
Exercise Cards: Mood Boosting Moves!
These cards show different moves we can do to get our bodies moving and boost our mood! Remember to move at your own pace and have fun.
How to Use:
- Look at the Card: See the name of the move and the picture.
- Teacher Demonstration: Watch your teacher show you how to do the move safely.
- Try it Out: Do the move with the class for about 1-2 minutes.
- Listen to Your Body: It's okay to take a break or do a modified version if you need to.
Exercise Card 1: Jumping Jacks
- How to do it: Start with feet together, arms at your sides. Jump feet out wide, raising arms overhead. Jump feet back together, bringing arms down. Repeat!
- Why it helps your mood: Gets your heart pumping and energy flowing!
Exercise Card 2: Arm Circles
- How to do it: Stand tall with arms out to the sides. Make small circles forward with your arms, then backward. Try medium and large circles too!
- Why it helps your mood: Loosens up your shoulders and gets blood moving to your upper body.
Exercise Card 3: High Knees
- How to do it: Stand with feet hip-width apart. Lift one knee towards your chest, then switch. Keep a steady rhythm. You can march or jog in place!
- Why it helps your mood: A great way to build energy and feel strong!
Exercise Card 4: Reach and Touch
- How to do it: Reach your arms high to the sky, stretching your whole body. Slowly bend forward and try to touch your toes (or as far as you can). Feel the stretch in your legs and back.
- Why it helps your mood: Helps you stretch out and feel more relaxed.
Exercise Card 5: Wall Push-Ups
- How to do it: Stand facing a wall, about an arm's length away. Place your hands on the wall, shoulder-width apart. Lean towards the wall, bending your elbows, then push back until your arms are straight. Keep your body in a straight line.
- Why it helps your mood: Builds strength in your arms and chest, making you feel powerful!
Exercise Card 6: Balance Challenge
- How to do it: Stand on one leg. Try to hold your balance for 10-15 seconds. You can put your hands on your hips or out to the sides. Then switch legs! If it's too hard, you can hold onto a wall or chair.
- Why it helps your mood: Improves focus and body awareness.
Cool Down
Cool-Down & Reflection: How Do You Feel?
Now that our bodies have moved, let's gently bring them back to a calm and relaxed state. Afterwards, we'll think about how we feel!
1. Deep Breaths (1 minute)
- Stand or sit comfortably. Place one hand on your belly.
- Breathe in slowly through your nose, feeling your belly rise.
- Breathe out slowly through your mouth, feeling your belly fall.
- Repeat 3-5 times, focusing on the slow, calming rhythm.
2. Arm Across Chest Stretch (1 minute)
- Bring one arm across your chest. Use your other hand to gently pull it closer.
- Hold for 15-20 seconds. Feel the stretch in your shoulder.
- Switch arms and repeat.
3. Triceps Stretch (1 minute)
- Raise one arm straight up, then bend your elbow so your hand touches your upper back.
- Use your other hand to gently push down on the elbow of the raised arm.
- Hold for 15-20 seconds. Feel the stretch down the back of your arm.
- Switch arms and repeat.
4. Quad Stretch (1 minute)
- Hold onto a wall or chair for balance.
- Grab your right foot with your right hand and gently pull your heel towards your bottom.
- Keep your knees close together. Feel the stretch in the front of your thigh.
- Hold for 15-20 seconds. Switch legs and repeat.
5. Seated Forward Fold (1 minute)
- Sit on the floor with your legs straight out in front of you.
- Gently reach forward towards your toes (or as far as you can comfortably go).
- Keep your back as straight as possible. Feel the stretch in the back of your legs.
- Hold for 20-30 seconds.
Reflection Questions (2 minutes)
- How does your body feel now compared to before we started moving?
- How does your mood feel? Do you feel more energetic, calm, or happy?
- What was your favorite move today, and why?
- What's one way you can remember to "Move Your Mood!" again later this week?