By BJOHNSON158 on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:27 am: Edit

I have to teach seat exercises to first-graders. This is an indoor activity in which the students do exercises from their desks. I am not familiar with this. Please help!!!

By REDFISH8 on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:30 am: Edit

Dear BJohnson:
Seatworks and Sittercize by Dr. Billy Gober are book manuals that have been around for a number of years that describe several seat exercises that can be done with/without music. Actually, a great way is to get a tape with lively music and create some vigorous body actions that students can do in their seats with the teacher leading in the front of the classroom (examples --- 4 hand claps, 8 hand rolls, 4 hand claps, 8 arm circles, 4 hand claps, 8 upward arm climbs, 4 hand claps, 8 windshield wipers, 4 hand claps, 8 swimming strokes, 4 hand claps, 8 arm jacks (arm actions of jumping jacks), 4 hand clap, 8 arm chops. You can also have them do isometric strengthening exercises and stretches in their chairs. Remember do static stretches with no bobbing or bouncing, holding each stretch for 10+ seconds. Another good seat exercise routine (if the chair isn't connected to the desk) involves swimming arm actions (breast stroke, butterfly, backstroke, crawl stroke). Vary the beat of the music to cue the swimming arm action speeds. You can also pump your feet like a bicycle rider or do rowing or paddling arm actions. Another key point is that the teacher should lead the actions with encouragement and enthusiasm!!!! Good luck and have fun!!!

By BJOHNSON158 on Tuesday, February 27, 2001 - 11:30 am: Edit

Dear Redfish:
Thankyou so much for your quick and immediate response. I greatly appreciate it. And I plan on having loads of fun!!!
Thanks again.