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Connect

Bring or join together; provide access and communication

  • This workout takes approximately 10 Minutes
  • This workout is for students in Grades 4-5
  • Teacher Resources

Move

  • Type:  Strength
  • Excercise:  Plank + Push Up Series
  • Target:  Chest + Arms + Core
  • Equipment:  None
Workout guide

Steps

PLANK STEPS
1. Start in plank position, with your hands a little wider than your shoulders
2. Keep your feet and thighs together, legs straight
3. Tip your heels forward, keeping your back flat
4. Tuck your hips under, squeeze your glutes, and pull your abs in
5. Keep your fingers spread apart, your head in line with your spine, and your eyes focused forward
6. Keeping your back flat, bend and stretch your knees only (on the count!)

PUSH UP STEPS
1. Start in plank position, with your hands a little wider than your shoulders
2. Keep your feet and thighs together, legs straight
3. Tip your heels forward, keeping your back flat
4. Tuck your hips under, squeeze your glutes, and pull your abs in
5. Keep your fingers spread apart, your head in line with your spine, and your eyes focused forward
6. Keeping your chest open and shoulders down, bend your elbows down/up as you lower your body down/up

Sequence

– Plank: 10 single count (bend/ stretch)
– Push Up: 10 single count
– Plank/Push Up: 10 combinations (bend/stretch + push up)

Modification

If you have back discomfort or pain, or if you lack the upper body strength to do a full push up:
– Complete all the moves with your hands on a chair or against a wall (see CONFIDENCE workout)

Icon of a body with vibration lines on the sides of it.

How does your body feel after completing the workout?

Icon of a profile view of a person’s head with a speech bubble where the brain would be.

How does your mind feel after completing the workout?

Icon of a question mark.

What does Connect mean to you in this moment?

Choose from the additional reflection prompts below to customize this lesson and meet the needs of your students and your time constraints. Create a unique workout experience every time you return to this lesson!

Self-Connection

Past

How did you stay connected to people during the COVID-19 pandemic that was different from before?

Present

Do you prefer to be by yourself or to be surrounded by a group of people?

Future

Whom do you hope to connect with more in the future?

Real-World Connection

Family

Describe an activity that your family enjoys doing together.

Learning Environment

Whom do you enjoy connecting with in your learning environment?

Community

Describe some places in your community where you connect with others.

Academic Connection

ELA

Connect with a student in another area of the country by writing to a pen pal.

Social Studies

Identify one food that helps you feel connected to your culture.

STEM

Reflect on how your mind and body connect. Draw an outline of a body and place a small “X" on three areas where you experience tension, pain, or weakness when feeling heavy emotions.

Fun Fact

Dogs may have evolved to connect with humans. Studies have found that the friendliest dogs have differences in their DNA that make them more interested in people.