Connect
Bring or join together; provide access and communication
- This workout takes approximately 10 Minutes
- This workout is for students in Grades 6-8
- Teacher Resources
- Share
Move
Workout guide
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)
How does your body feel after completing the workout?
How does your mind feel after completing the workout?
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
How do you connect to yourself?
Future
Whom do you hope to connect with more in the future? Why?
Real-World Connection
Family
Whom are you most connected to in your life? Are some of these people in your life by choice? Are some of these people in your life not by choice?
Learning Environment
Identify some trusted adults you can connect with in your learning environment if you are having a problem. How might they be able to help you?
Community
Describe some physical and emotional barriers that prevent people from connecting with one another.
Academic Connection
ELA
What writer (i.e. an author, screenwriter, musician, etc.) do you feel connected to? What work have they created that you feel most connected to?
Social Studies
How does food help people connect to their 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
There is a 50% chance that in a group of 23 people, two will share the same birthday. A popular term for this coincidental connection is a “birthday twin.”