Stretching should be an integral part of your PE program. Even if you only take a few minutes for this, it can be beneficial. You might also use this time to talk to students about the upcoming lesson, positive feedback, etc. It can be a social time, as long as students continue to follow the leader and stretch properly. Remember a few important things about stretching:

• Teach your students how to stretch properly, with special attention to the safety of the lower back and neck (e.g. no arching)
• Hold each stretch for at least 10 seconds
• Move slowly and hold each stretch – no bouncing
• Stretch warm muscles
• Focus on muscles to be used during that class

You might also consider, during this time, adding some muscular endurance activities such as sit-ups or crunchies, push ups, burpees, etc.

Some Different Ways to Present Stretching:

1. “Simon Says Stretching” – Circle formation; usually the teacher leads this activity. If a student does not do what Simon asks, he/she does a “victory lap” around the outside of the circle and joins in once again. Those students making nasty comments to the runners can also do a lap!
    
2. “Guess Who Stretching” – Circle formation, choose one student to leave the gym (cannot peek or listen). Then choose another student to be the secret leader for a series of different stretching activities (which might also include jumping jacks, marching, etc.). The person who has stepped out is asked to come back and stand in the centre of the circle. He/she is given three guesses to determine who the leader is.
    
3. Partner Stretching – partners use each other for balance and resistance to stretch various muscles of the body. Examples might include: sitting toe-toe and pulling each other up; leaning away from each other while holding hands (front, sides); sitting back to back with elbows linked and then standing up without using hands; standing back to back and reaching above head to grab wrists to stretch person over the back (be careful not to lift the person). Use your imagination or get students to create some partner stretches!
    
4. Wall Stretching – students stand along the wall to perform individual stretches. Examples include: placing sole of foot against wall, straight leg and bend forward; stand with shoulder to wall with that arm extended behind the body (stretches front of shoulder); calf stretches leaning against wall with hands; wall sit.
    
5. Student-Lead Stretches – once students have been taught to stretch properly, you can assign one or two volunteers to be the leaders of the group. This can rotate each day/week, etc.
    
6. Around the Circle Stretches – Circle formation, teacher (or volunteer) starts. That person leads one stretch, then the next person around the circle leads a different stretch, and so on until all have had a chance to lead a stretch. You may have to give a few hints to prompt those students near the end, or simply just go halfway (depends on time!)
    
7. Squad stretches – each squad chooses a leader and that person leads the squad in a series of stretches.
    
8. Know Your Muscles Stretching – you name the muscle (or part of the body) to be stretched, students choose an appropriate stretch for that body part. An example is; “stretch the quadriceps”, and students will likely grasp the ankle and pull it up to the buttocks. Be sure that their knees stay together to prevent back arch. Remember a finger in the belly button will help them maintain their balance!

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