Woodland Middle School students had an exciting time during a recent Physical Education lesson led by Mr. Marvel and Ms. Britt. The gym was filled with energy and laughter as students took part in a game called Haunted Mansion, a thrilling variation of the classic Sharks and Minnows—perfect for the Halloween season.
In this version of the game, students were split into teams of two and challenged to collect cones, rings, and other plastic items from a stockpile in the center of the gym. However, guarding the stockpile were one to three students playing the role of ghosts, wielding soft pool noodles and protecting the haunted mansion from invading "trick-or-treaters." The gatherers, or trick-or-treaters, had to carefully strategize, darting toward the stockpile and returning to their hula hoop "base" with as many items as possible—all while avoiding the noodle-wielding ghosts.
If a trick-or-treater was tagged by a ghost, they had to retreat to their base and tag their teammate before making another attempt. The game was fast-paced, requiring quick reflexes, teamwork, and a sense of competition. The winning teams—those who managed to gather the most items—earned the coveted role of guarding the haunted mansion in the next round.
Mr. Marvel, who introduced the game, explained that while he typically calls it Sharks and Minnows, he often changes the name based on the season or theme. "For Halloween, we decided to call it Haunted Mansion to add a fun, spooky twist. The students really enjoyed it," said Mr. Marvel. "It’s a great way to work on their cardiovascular health, improve their reflexes, and promote sportsmanship. It’s competitive, but it also requires them to work together."
Adding to the fun of the day was a special visit from DJ Blanden, a Teacher Cadet from Woodland High School. DJ, who was observing Mr. Marvel’s class as part of his cadet program, couldn’t resist joining in on the action. Watching the middle school students immerse themselves in the game, DJ decided to try his hand at the challenge.
Whether dodging ghosts or racing to the stockpile, DJ quickly got into the spirit of the game, much to the delight of the students. His participation brought extra excitement to the activity, showing that this fast-paced game could captivate not only middle school students but high school cadets as well.
The students fully embraced the challenge and excitement of the game. The combination of strategy, speed, and teamwork created an engaging environment where students could push their physical limits while enjoying friendly competition.
With each round, new ghosts were chosen, keeping the activity dynamic and ensuring everyone had a chance to play both roles. As students continue to build their fitness and sportsmanship through such interactive activities, Haunted Mansion—or whatever creative name Mr. Marvel chooses next—has quickly become a favorite in the PE classes led by him and Ms. Britt.
