Unit 5, Cycle 1, Nonfiction Assessment 3
Jumping rope is a game that has been played for a very long time. It may have started in Egypt or China. Jumping or skipping rope is played by children in many different countries. It is even played by astronauts in space.
Anything that is long and bends easily can become a jump rope. The first jump ropes were made from vines, long pieces of grass, or strips of leather. Today most jump ropes are made from rope or plastic.
Children often sing jump-rope rhymes while skipping rope. The rhymes and songs make it easy to jump to a beat or rhythm. Many rhymes have come from faraway countries. Some common jump-rope rhymes are: “Miss Mary Mac,” “Peel a Banana,” “Jack Be Nimble,” and “Red Hot Peppers.” New rhymes are created every day. Anyone can invent a jump-rope rhyme.
Tricks and games are another way to enjoy jumping rope. They can be as simple as turning and twisting the body or the rope. The “Straddle Cross” is a trick in which the feet cross and uncross with each jump. Some tricks are difficult, such as turning and twisting both the body and the rope at the same time. One popular game, “Double Dutch,” uses two ropes. Today people of all ages enter rope-skipping contests to show these skills.
Jumping rope is both fun and healthy. Your heart, lungs, and muscles are all rewarded by this form of exercising. Jumping rope strengthens the muscles in the arms and legs. The muscles that deliver oxygen to the cells through the heart and lungs are also made stronger. Rope skipping helps different body parts learn to move together at the same time. Astronauts jump rope in space to keep their muscles active. Skipping rope for 15 minutes is as good as riding a bicycle for 3 miles.
People have fun skipping rope. It is an exercise that can be done almost anywhere. It is something that people all over the world can enjoy, whether they are performing or watching others hop, skip, and jump to a beat.
