November/December 2007

What's CORE with the CORE on the floor?

S.M.A.R.T. has many exciting, high-quality activities, ideas, and instructional methods!
. . . You've been through the workshop and want to use many of them but have a hard time recalling which are CORE towards the 80 hours and which are just great activities.
. . . You remember why certain activities are important but can't always remember the key points on which to focus.
. . . You have helpers who work with you on some S.M.A.R.T. activities and wish you had time to type up the basics of what they should be looking for when they supervise students.
If any of these statements sound like you, or if you want a brief CORE refresher, here are the CORE floor S.M.A.R.T. activities and five of the most important things to remember when working towards quality moves - the CORE of the CORE on the floor. (Next newsletter will review the CORE of the CORE with Vision.)

Print and Post this list where it's easy for you to reference!

ALLIGATOR CRAWL
- Stay low (Chin/chest down)
- Arms reach out (off your elbows, slap the tape line put down the middle of the mat/space), and hands flat (no fists)
- Push with side of foot/toe (dig with side of foot)
- Use opposite arms and legs simultaneously in a smooth, rhythmic pattern
- FAST IS GOOD! (And can improve quality!)

CREEP TRACK
- Hands flat and pointed straight
- Look at the card (gently slapping the card may help)
- On hands and knees using opposite arms and legs simultaneously in a smooth, rhythmic pattern
- Cards should be mastered material (don't want students to stop to figure something out). Try different options so each student knows something to say when they slap.   (For example, a green tree can present three choices for the student to focus on, depending on skill level: the color, the object or the written word tree)
- SLOW IS GOOD!

BALANCE BEAM
- Heel-Toe walking (make your shoes touch, make your feet kiss)
- Look forward/up (if able)
- Try backwards, eyes closed, or both when ready for a new challenge (still heel-toe walking!)
- Balance items on hands/head, toss or pick up items, balance poses with one foot, etc.
- SLOW IS GOOD!

PENCIL ROLL
- Arms over head
- Legs straight
- Roll straight
- Close eyes when ready (more vestibular stimulation)
- FAST IS GOOD! (If the student rolls off the mat, just have him get back on and roll fast again)

HELICOPTER SPINNING
- SPIN for 15 seconds, then FREEZE for 15 seconds, standing tall
- Do a total of 8 - 10 throughout each day
- Do 3 - 4 before a time when you want students to focus and be attentive (learning something new, test taking, etc.)
- Progression of challenges - slow with arms in a T in the beginning, speed of choice if "in control," eyes closed while spinning, eyes closed while frozen, eyes closed for both
- Be sure to use upbeat music and a variety of different types

OVERHEAD LADDER
- Look up at the bar
- Move from rung to rung, one rung at a time
- Use motorcycle grip (thumb wrapped around the bar)
- If student can't move at first, try hanging for so many seconds and build to longer time, eventually moving to one or two bars. (Start near end of ladder to try one or two bars - a better sense of completion!)
- Can place academic content on the rungs for students to say as they move, if desired

REFLEXES (Try to do two different reflex activities a day and, when all four have been introduced, vary which you use. Be sure to ensure proper positioning.)
- Superman - do three a day and hold each for 20 seconds (work up to 20), "FLY" with hands straight out front and legs straight out, with only the stomach touching the floor (making a smile with their body), all happen simultaneously, "LAND"
- Popcorn - do 3 a day and hold each for 20 seconds (work up to 20), starting on back, then knees to chest, arms wrapped around legs, and lift head looking at knees ("nose to knees"), all happen simultaneously, "POP"
- Giraffe Stretch & Rocking Horse - use "table top and table legs" or cube position with back flat, rock slowly back and forth for 10 cycles, shoulders should move forward past the hands, no rabbit sitting on return
- Giraffe Stretch - chin up, neck extended, no feet up, no locked knees or hips or knees sliding forward
- Rocking Horse - head flat with back, chin on shoulder (can hold a bean bag or something if needed), 10 rocks with chin on each shoulder, no locked or sliding knees, encourage not to bend elbow and assist if necessary