Making Ninja Moves

While some may only know ninjas as fictional characters from cartoons, comics or action movies, their origins come from very real lore. Begin uncovering this rich history by prompting your students:

• What do you know about ninjas?
• How do you think ninjas came to be?

As a class or in small groups, begin researching who ninjas were and what they did. Make sure to also investigate how they trained and became such stealthy warriors. After this discovery, compare your class’s first assessment of ninjas to the research you’ve conducted with questions like:

• What surprised you about the history of ninjas?
• How do ninjas differ from how they’re portrayed in the media?

Now, it’s time for your class to become ninjas! Well, not literally. Explain that, just like ninjas can train to be warriors with the qualities of discipline, accuracy, control and hard work, they too can achieve their goals with the same principles.

Have your students write down their personal goals, and then have them pick one aforementioned ninja quality to help them get there.

Afterwards, have them embody their ninja quality through a pose or physical movement. This could be a graceful balancing pose to demonstrate control or a quick movement to show accuracy.

Have everyone share their ninja moves one by one in a giant circle and create a ninja ballet by grouping students’ movements together. With their goals at the forefront of their minds, you’ll have some warriors ready to conquer their own story!

To support this unit, use the Martial ART Handout.