In urban Chicago, I have seen many people with three-legged dogs. They look just as happy and energetic as any other dog. Still, they obviously have to move differently because they are missing one of their legs. Their movement pattern changes to accommodate the missing limb. Humans had to do the same before the advent of prosthetics, arguably the first prosthetic being an early form of a crutch. Neanderthals were the first early humans to care for their sick and injured. We have fossil evidence of severe injuries healing (often incorrectly). Neanderthals did not leave their kin to die, and they continued to live with the help of the tribe. Now we have ingenious inventions like wheelchairs, mechanical prostheses that can be moved by electrical impulse or thought, and a lot more exciting technology on the horizon.

The Friday before Halloween, I wanted to do something fun for them that was holiday themed. Earlier that day, I thought of an idea called “Zombie Fitness.” The basic premise was that the students had to lie down like they were dead and then do a sit-up like they just sprang to life. After many repetitions (basic sit-ups for exercise), we started to include that the zombies had to stand up and move. This was easy enough when the students (zombies) had all their limbs. However, I would start by saying the zombie was missing an appendage. The students had to try and stand up (if they could) and move while pretending that the appendage was not there (they couldn’t use it at all). This entertaining lesson inspired me to think about other scenarios, specifically if a person or animal is missing a limb in real life. The organism must make adaptations if they are injured or have some type of deformity.

This game helps the student explore different movement patterns, which is very challenging. What is unique about this game is that it is also a personal puzzle to solve; not everyone will do the same thing to accomplish the same task. However, at the end of the day, the students will appreciate animals that can still move despite missing limbs and will foster an appreciation for their own functioning limbs.

Materials: 

·      This game can be played in a relatively small setting (especially at home). Still, if done at school, you will want a space appropriate for the number of students in the class.

Minimum Number of Students Needed:  This lesson can be done with only one student.

Age: All Ages