You can prepare students for a grade-level hula hoop contest by inviting each class to choose one or two representatives to participate in this physical education activity. For those students not participating, they can create signs to cheer on their fellow classmates. Then, hold a contest to see who can hula hoop the longest. You can provide trophies to the top three contestants and hand out participation certificates to all students involved in the contest.
Hula hoops can be used in a variety of ways, including swinging the hoop in a way that replaces the typical jump rope. To show elementary children how to do this, you can divide your physical education class in two large groups, giving one group jump ropes and the other hula hoops. When you start the activity, tell the groups to continue jumping with their rope or hoop as long as they are able. As soon as a child in the group misses a jump, he must sit down. See which group can "jump" the longest. Repeat this activity on a weekly basis to provide exercise for your students.
Hula hooping was extremely popular in the 1960s. You can re-create this craze by having a '60s music hooping marathon. Before this activity, you'll need to record a CD of child-friendly music from the 1960s. Vary the songs, and include segments about 15 to 30 seconds in length. To start the activity, give children a hula hoop and explain to them that when the music begins, they should start jumping. When the song changes, they should stop. Repeat this activity for the length of the CD.
While hula hoops are typically used for jumping or hooping, you can also use them for other physical activities. For example, you might want to host a contest to see how far students can roll the hula hoop. To do this, place students at the same starting point and ask them to use their arm strength to roll a hula hoop in a straight line. When the hoop falls to the ground, the student's hoop is finished rolling. Use a measuring tape, and record the length of the student's roll. Write the results on a chalkboard, and encourage students to beat their personal best each day.