What do you do on your First Week of School?
The first day is tough – you want to play some games, have some fun, but you know that you need to establish the procedures and class expectations as well.
How do you accomplish all of it and what kinds of activities do you plan?
Remember, this is a great opportunity for you to establish the DNA of your Phys Ed program and set up the culture of your classroom.
Remember the old saying, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure“. I think about this every year before school begins and I think it rings true in our classrooms. The better you can setup your class culture at the beginning of the year, the easier it will be for you to avoid future problems and time wasted on management or behavioral issues. This translates into what we all want – more teaching time for us and activity time for our students.
Note that Kindergarten is a little different since most of them are brand new to school – Here are My Tips for Teaching Kindergarten
This is what I do with my 1st – 5th Grade students on their first day of Physical Education Class:
Let’s break down the first 2 weeks in PE below:
- Introductions – kids tell me about their summers, I tell them about mine. I meet any kids new to the school. I do this for about 5 minutes as soon as the kids walk in the door. I could wait, but I know they are dying to tell me about all of their summer trips, experiences and adventures – and honestly I love hearing about them. Your relationship with your students is what everything else is built on, so spend some time here first.
- You could create a slide presentation with some pictures/videos to show the kids some of the trips and adventures that you’ve been on over the summer to help them connect – kids love hearing about your personal life (this might be a good idea especially if you are new to the school)… just keep it short
- Note: Feel free to use the presentation linked above, you’ll need to copy it to your Google Drive first. Do this by going to “File” – “Make a Copy” you can then edit the copy in your Google Drive. I can’t grant you access to edit it, since it’s the master copy 🙂
- If you want to spend a little time on it you could also just create a quick 2-5 minute video to recap your summer for your students, I recommend checking out the App iMovie (Here’s a tutorial on how to use it). You can see an example video that I made below – although I used a program called Final Cut Pro – you could make something similar with iMovie along the same theme:
- You could also just throw up a few pictures on a slideshow to show kids some adventures you went on or some pictures of your family to help them connect with you and learn a little bit about you
- You could create a slide presentation with some pictures/videos to show the kids some of the trips and adventures that you’ve been on over the summer to help them connect – kids love hearing about your personal life (this might be a good idea especially if you are new to the school)… just keep it short
Normally I try and shoot for 2-3 minutes for a video, but the one below I had to give myself 5 minutes because I had too much fun stuff to share 😁
- Watch a Video (optional) about what we will learn this year or about the type of culture you want to create in your gym. I normally use my Summer Recap Video for this to talk about adventure and the purpose of my Phys Ed Program being to help kids build the Skills, Knowledge and Confidence they need to pursue any adventure they want for the rest of their life.
- Create a video or slideshow showing students what activities they will be learning throughout the year
- Show them Part One of this 3 part Physical Literacy Series (check it out if you haven’t seen it) – We will have a short discussion about the student’s thoughts on the video and them move on to the next activity.
- Go over the GYM RULES
- Go over the 6 gym rules and consequences, talk about why they are important and ask students if they agree that they are fair, and make sure they don’t want to add any more or make any changes (Get them to buy-in).
My Management Overview and Rules Posters can be found here
- Mention and explain orange form to be filled out if students get injured, forget their tennis shoes or have to go to time out after a Strike 3.
- Practice an Instant Activity – throughout the year we do different Warmups and Instant Activities as soon as students walk into the gym, but our fall-back is always walking the short lines and jogging the long lines for 2 – 3 minutes with the music blasting.
- Go over stopping signal “1,2,3 signal” before beginning activity and then practice Walking and Jogging for 1-2 minutes – use the “1,2,3 signal” and “music off” to freeze students (see the example video below)
- Go over Bathroom and Water Fountain Procedures
- Go over all the rules quickly, explain rules if needed.
- Summarize – When the music is on you can get water or use the bathroom, when the music is off, you need to be listening or lining up to leave the gym.
- Go over Emergency Procedures – Practice Lining Up for each drill quickly and quietly
- Fire, Tornado/Earthquake, Code Red/Intruder Alert
- Go Over Daily Self Assessment (if there’s time)
- Note: Usually if I’m short on time I’ll save this part of the lesson for the next week so we can have time for the game – you know we gotta get moving 🙂
- Explain how the daily self assessment works and why we do it
- It is part of our GATOR Goals (Our school’s Mission/Vision Acronym – the T = Take responsibility for what you say and do)
- Play a Game for the last 15-20 minutes – Noodle Dance Tag , Adventure Bingo or The Crazy Cards Challenge Icebreaker Game
- Closure
- Preview Week 2 – Review the Gym Rules and Talk about the Conflict Corner , Get Home Base Spots and learn about the Daily Self Assessment, before the team building activity (usually a super fun team building activity called Hula Hut Relays or learning how to play Four Square so kids will know how to play at recess)
That’s it. It’s definitely a full lesson and a lot to pack in, but I want to set expectations up front and lay the groundwork for a successful year. I try to help the students have fun by moving them around a lot, making jokes and getting their feedback on the routines and procedures that we have in place.
Also, since I’ve been at my school for 15+ years, most of the kids are familiar with the routines we have so I can move through the content pretty quickly. If you’re brand new to your school, you might want to break this lesson up into a 2 part lesson, since it will be the first time your students are being exposed to new routines/procedures/activities.
If you want to use the Google Slides that I use for my presentation on the first day you can copy them HERE:
You can also download a free printable first week of school lesson plan below:
A Couple of My Favorite First Week Games
Adventure Bingo
If we have time, one of my favorite First Week of School Games is “Adventure Bingo” – you can check out the video and also download it below if you’re interested.
The Crazy Cards Challenge
The crazy cards challenge is a super fun activity for any students that can read, I normally use it for 3rd grade and up. You can see an example of the game being played in the video below:
- You can see a more detailed breakdown of the game and get a link to purchase the cards on this post
P.S. If you’re interested in checking out all the Posters and Visuals I have up in my Gym you can find links to everything and a walkthrough of each poster here
Want to take a deep dive with us?
Check out our Q & A Show episode below on tips for the first week of school:
Show Notes and Links from the episode above available here
Week 2 of PE Class
During Week 2 I usually hit all the rest of the procedures and routines that we didn’t cover during week one and then we play a fun team building game
- Instant Activity – Walking Lines and Jogging Lines
- Assign “Home Base” spots – I will explain how each student can find their spot by using the number and letter to determine a point on the floor (like a graph)*
- You can check this post out for more info on Home Base Spots and to print the ones I use
- * I used to do this on day 1, but now I wait until week 2 to assign home base spots since many times our rosters aren’t very accurate until the first day of school and need more time to look at seating accommodations and see which kids I want to separate etc
- Learn our Daily Warmup Stretching Routine
- Discuss The Conflict Corner
- Discuss the Daily Self Assessment / Reflection
- Play a Game like Hula Hut Relays or Cross the River
Free Yearly Plan Template
Now that you’ve got your first couple weeks ready to go, knock our the rest of your year too!
To see an example of how I plan my entire year of PE and download a sample yearly plan Click the Link Below
Take 15 Minutes and Plan Out an Entire Year of PE Class
What do you do differently for your first week of school?
If you have some good ideas leave them in the comments. Have a great first week!
Jonathan Cauley says
Hey Ben,
As a senior student that’s about to graduate and start Elementary PE. Thank you so much for posting your blog on how you specifically address the rules, etc in your gym. From watching and learning from you, I already started making my own unique set of rules and self assessment.
Apart from seeing your classroom, I would like to know:
1. How many days p/wk do your students have PE and is it spread throughout the week, depending on the grade?
2. Compared to your gym, how many posters is appropriate for Elementary gym?
3. When it comes to elaborating the rules to students, how long should each definition be as far as time limit?
4. (Lastly)What website do you use for your go to PE music or does it really matter, it just has to be age appropriate.
Marcus says
Hey Jonathan,
Thanks for reaching out! Congratulations on your graduation! We look forward to you joining the PE world!
To answer your questions:
1. We see our students once a week for 50 minutes. We see one or two classes from each grade level a day.
2. The number of posters vary. We just use the posters as visuals for students. Probably the most important posters are the rules and expectations, skill cues posters, and standards.
3. We spend the first week going over the rules and review them again after winter holiday. Rules should be simple for elementary students to understand. You can spend about a minute or so explaining and giving examples.
4. You can find out about our music and the link below: https://www.thepespecialist.com/music/
Hope this helps!
Elijah Johnson says
Hey Guys, its my first year HELP!!!
Marcus says
Hey Elijah,
Thanks for reaching out! You got this!
Check out our podcast episode: Advice for First Year Teachers
Also if you’re interest, you should check out our membership community. You can find passionate teachers who can also help you navigate your first year!
All the info can be found at the link below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/info/
Brent says
This has been a huge help to me being a first year PE teacher and AD
Marcus says
Awesome Brent!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Jared Powell says
Hey Ben,
Great content. First timer here. I will be teaching middle school 6-8 next school year. Would you say almost all of this is appropriate for that 6-8 band as well? Just curious on your opinion on what you’d modify/take out for those age levels. Thanks
Respectfully,
Jared
Marcus says
Hey Jared,
Thanks for reaching out! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Our content is geared for K-5th but we have middle school teachers who use the resources as well. They just increase the difficulty and rigor for their age groups.
We would modify the games and activities and maybe take out the locomotor movements since those are geared for primary students.
Hope this helps!
Traci says
So as with most other teachers, we spend time introducing or reviewing PE guidelines and procedures. I try to make it a little interactive instead of just sitting and listening. I also love to utilize the Physical Literacy video you shared above. The students seem to “get it” after watching that video. Thanks for sharing it.
Marcus says
Glad you’re enjoying the resources Traci!
Tough to balance establishing rules and setting expectations. Students want to move and play but we need to structure it so it doesn’t spark chaos!
Thanks for sharing!
Louise says
Dear P.E. Specialist!
I LOVE your lessons. You helped me all last year through COVID and you are my definitely my GO TO this year. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!
Marcus says
You’re welcome Louise!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources! Good luck this year! Stay safe!
jeff rhonemus says
Ben can’t seem to access your stuff. Can you reset my password?
Marcus says
Hey Jeff,
We will email you password reset information!
Susie says
Hi,
I’m interested in buying the membership. But I have a few questions about it.
1. Are all the resources based on Shape America standards? If they are, do they cover all Shape America standards? If not, what standards are you using?
2. What grade levels of resources do you offer? Do you have resources for individual grade level? I’m new to PE so if there are grade level resources, it will be really helpful for me to understand how the same contents/similar standards different in each grade.
Marcus says
Hey Susie,
Great questions! Thanks for reaching out!
Our resources are based on Shape America Standards which are aligned with our standards here in South Carolina.
We offer resources for K – 5th grade students
Info about our membership can be found at the link below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/info
Hope this helps! Let us know if you have any other questions!
Tricia Morton says
Ben this has been an excellent PD. I have learned so much and I know it will enhance my teachers, but more importantly, my students’ learning! Thanks!
Marcus says
Hey Tricia,
Thanks for the kind words! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Michael killoran says
Hey Ben just wondering what measures your district is taking and what PE will look like at your school ? As of now, if we begin hybrid or an attempt at all in, the gym is being used as a classroom so we will be outside with 12’ social distancing (not sure what that will look like) or pushed into classrooms with little movement allowed which will not be good. Just looking forward to seeing what kind of curriculum to come up with and see what your doing during all this. Thanks man appreciate all you do.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Michael,
Social distancing guidelines and what PE will look like is going to be different from school to school, district to district and state to state, but below are a few ideas to get you started.
Take it day by day until you find out more specifically what the situation will look like at your school and be ready to respond to whatever situation arises and do what’s best for kids.
Be flexible and realize that the guidelines/requirements will most likely change week by week as we go back to start and figure things out – check out this video for my take: https://www.instagram.com/p/CDO66jpBkRh/
Once I get some kids in the building, understand what our numbers of attendance will be and get a feel for what it’s going to actually look like I will let you guys know what I’m doing.
Some no equipment resources and ideas the top of my head (you could also do many of these in a classroom):
Teach some Line Dances or Have a Dance Unit
Line Dancing Resource E-Book: Link to the E-book on TPT
Teach different exercises and show students how to do circuit training based on their goals
Exercise Posters and One Page Workouts: https://www.thepespecialist.com/exerciseposters/
Here’s my Daily Warmup Routine: https://www.thepespecialist.com/dailywarmup/
Modified for social distancing Fitness Testing / Self Assessment: https://www.thepespecialist.com/fitnessgram/
Do a “Social Distanced Olympics” (Idea Here from my friend Coach Pat)
Integrate some Health Concepts to fill in the gaps: https://www.thepespecialist.com/health/
If you are allowed to use equipment, but need to stay socially distanced:
Teach a soccer unit and modify to have everyone spaced out
Jump Rope Unit (modify to be more individual focus and allow social distancing)
https://www.thepespecialist.com/jumprope/
Gymnastics Unit (modify to allow social distancing and be more individual focus)
https://www.thepespecialist.com/gymnastics/
Paddle Skills or Tennis Unit
Teach students how to juggle (never made time for this before, but might try it out this year)
Play Noodle Dance Tag with a 6 ft Noodle: https://www.thepespecialist.com/noodletag/
Sydney Fitzpatrick says
What would be a fun and appropriate ice breaker game for kindergarten and first graders!? I’d love to hear your opinion!
Ben Landers says
Adventure Bingo – it’s linked up in the post above
ida says
lesson plan will not down load says having trouble with receipt
Ben Landers says
It’s working on our end, just tested it out.
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser caching issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers, clearing your cache and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a another option you can also find some of our products on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Randy Myaing says
Professor Ben,
Thanks for the email in regards to the first week of school. All is well and much is appreciated Sir. You are awesome and may God bless you and your family.
Ben Landers says
Thanks Randy!
Not a professor, I teach P.E. at an elementary school
Merline Charles says
Hello,
Thank you for your awesome ideas. It really shows that you are passionate about what you do. Please continue doing what you are doing.
Ben Landers says
Appreciate that! Glad it’s helpful
Mike says
Thank you…Period!!!
Wedi says
Hi the PE specialist, would you come to Riau Province please!!! I have so many problem here..
Ben Landers says
🙂 not sure if I could fix any of your problems, but I’d love to check out Indonesia one day!
Donna says
Love your stuff but the self assessments won’t open. Can you email them to me.
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a last resort you can also find some of our free download on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Megan says
Thank you so much for this in depth post. I am teaching Primary Physical Education and have been in search of some suggestions on how to have a fun first class that isn’t all about rules… your website is SO helpful! All the best!
Ben Landers says
Glad you can use some of the info!
Amy says
I just want to say how grateful I am to you. You have helped me more than you will ever know.
Ben Landers says
🙂 Thanks Amy! So pumped to hear that
Nick Endres says
Ben,
Great lesson and presentation. I see on slide three that you have your students find their number and letter for their home base spots. How do you share with your students their assigned spot? Do you tell it to them as they come in, a sheet posted for them to see or do you have an activity where they find out?
Would love to know as I plan to do the same to make it a smooth transition in helping the kids find their home base spot on the first day.
Thanks,
Nick
Ben Landers says
Yep – I just tell them the letter and number on the first day after a quick intro.
Catherine Rinker says
Do you always have the kinders meet in a circle in the middle instead of the home base spots? Or is that just for the beginning of the year.
Ben Landers says
Yep, my Kinder classes are 25 minutes so we don’t do assigned spots with them. Everyone else is 50 min, so we do Home Base Spots with 1st – 5th.
Rebekah says
Hi, Ben! First of all, I am so thankful for your website and resources. I’m moving to the gym from the classroom this year and would be lost without your blog! I’m wondering, do you have any resources about how to work with Kindergarteners the first few weeks of school? I have no idea where to start with planning for the kindergarten period of my days. I know everything will be so new and overwhelming – for them and for me! Could you point me to any resources on how to prepare for Kinder specifically? Thank you!
Ben Landers says
I normally focus on stations with K-1. (I’ll do a lesson for a brand new skill sometimes like Jumprope or Hula Hoop – but for the majority of the time we do station work, or “centers” as the Kinder students call them)
Sometimes we’ll warmup with a fun follow along dance to practice locomotors like the Call it Macaroni Dance or The Chicken Dance
I’ve found it really helpful especially with my K students to do mostly station work and I think it’s beneficial for them because they end up getting more practice time and enjoying class more as well. I switch out the station activities according to the unit that my older students are working on. (Here are some tips for teaching with stations)
I mix in stations and super simple modified games and activity challenges with 1st-2nd.
But some of my 1st grade classes I’ll just do stations with bc they can’t handle as much formal instruction, it just depends on the group.
K used to be a class I dreaded each day, but since I switched to station work, it’s one of my favorites. It takes the expectations off the kids and allows them to have more time to build skill and explore different subjects.
I normally just modify the skills we’re working on with 2-5 and put them in station format for the K-1 kids.
eg.) 3-5 is doing Striking with hands (4-square)
K does 4 striking + catching with hands stations (strike a balloon, strike a playground ball, strike a gatorskin ball, strike a noodle)
Also – I start EVERY SINGLE DAY with a quick rules review
Hope that helps!
Bobbi Jo Supak says
This is awesome! I am a classroom teacher turned P.E. teacher for the first time this year! Your first day/week schedule is exactly what I was looking for! Thank you for all the awesome ideas!
Ben Landers says
Cool! Glad you found it and good luck with your first year of P.E.
Sam says
GREAT ideas Ben! I really appreciate all the freebies and ideas to help me get going. This is my first year teaching, so I’m on the prowl for good ideas for games, activities, posters, etc.
One thing I did with my students this year that they absolutely loved is at the end of all the rules and home base stuff, we played a game called Snake, Fire, in the Hole. How it works is I line up all the students on one sideline of the gym (if your gym doesn’t have a basketball court lines, just pick one of the two sides that would be a sideline, must be one of the longer sides though so students can spread out). Whatever line they start at, is the “Fire” line. Aytime I say the word “fire”, the students have to either stay at that line, or go back to that line. The line across the gym is the “Snake” line. Same rules apply to that line. And finally, the three circles in the middle of the gym are called “In the Hole” (the two that make up the elbow of the basketball lanes on either side, and the mid-court circle. You may have to use floor tape if you don’t have the circles, just make them big enough to fit all your students). At first, I’ll do a little warmup round to get the kids used to the commands. After a few times through, I’ll try to start tricking them. For example, if they’re on the snake line, “I’ll say the word “steak” and see who moves. If they cross the line and they weren’t supposed to, they’re out. If they’re out, I tell them to go to the baseline side of the basketball court (I pick one side for them to go) and have them do 1 of 5 different exercises of their choice until the round is over, or I tell them to come back in. I usually don’t make them sit out for longer than 2-3 min so they don’t get bored). As the game goes on and the number of students in the game gets smaller, I will start to limit the # of people that can be in “the hole” at a time, or tell them, say, the first 10 people in the hole are in and the rest are out. You can modify the rules and have fun w/trying to trick the students (they liked that part the best tbh), but this is a great game to get the students used to listening to instructions and see right away who those students are.
Ben Landers says
Hey Sam! I’ve seen the kids in my afterschool program playing a game called “Lions, Tigers and Bears” with basically the same idea – they really like it. Glad you have an additional activity for the kiddos to do once they’re eliminated as well. Thanks for sharing and glad the blog is helpful. Good luck with the First year
Sam says
Oh cool! I’ve never heard of that version of the game but glad they’re playing a similar version. I know the students at my school love it so I’m sure they do too. I appreciate all the advice and help and look forward to continuing to learn a ton from the site!
David Garlow says
Thank you for the great information
Ben Landers says
Glad it was helpful!
Mike NJ says
Hi Ben,
Your website is excellent. It is always good to see other Physical Education and Health teachers setting the bar high. My question for you is how do you incorporate health topics during the year at the elementary level? Do you just include different health topics within the lessons or are there separate times during the course of the year to cover topics?
Thanks!
Ben Landers says
The classroom teachers at my school cover health, so normally – yes, I incorportate different topics throughout the year that relate to activities that we’re doing. But I don’t do a lot of book work.
Here’s the closest thing I’ve ever done to a “health unit”
https://www.thepespecialist.com/health/
Mike says
Hey, Can you tell me what you do with just Kinder on the first day…..other than rules and intro? I usually do basic relays, but that can be tough on day one. If you do relays, what tips and organizational strategies do you use? I am looking for something a little more smooth and organize for the first few weeks of K.
Thanks!
Ben Landers says
Day 1 with K, we do the basic rules – learn to Walk/Jog for warmup – stopping signal. I read them the book “Gym Teacher from the Black Lagoon” and then if there’s any time left we practice locomotors around the room and learn about open space.
After getting rules/procedures down during the first couple weeks I’d say I do stations with K students about 80% of the time.
Jen says
Hi! Can you please share the K stations?
Ben Landers says
It just depends on the content I’m doing with the older students – I just break it down to the basics and do stations with my K-1st students so they will develop the skills needed in the older grades, you can see a few examples at the link below from my frisbee unit:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/frisbeestations/
Other examples:
– Hula Hoop
– Jump Rope
– Scooters
– Throw and Catch (football, gator ball, bean bag, foam tennis ball)
– Spooner boards
– Basketball dribble
– Wall Bounce and catch with playground ball
Brenda Simone says
Your website and passion for PE is inspiring Ben! I am will be starting my 27th year of teaching elementary PE and happy to say I really love what I do!
What are your thoughts on some ideas for SLO’s? Last year we had our 4th graders demonstrate their understanding of the components of fitness through a pre and post test of examples. We used pictures of The Incredibles and labeled them Mr. Muscle, Miss Flexibility and Kid Cardio. Throughout the year we referenced activities according to the characters. It was amazing how even my kinders would shout out, “that is a Mr. Muscle activity Mrs. Simone!”
Michael says
Hey Ben, are your bathrooms within eye sight of your playing area? I’m nervous to let my kids have free access to them without being able to keep an eye on them (mine are around a corner). Thoughts? Hopefully they wouldn’t want to stay in there, but we all know how kids are.
Ben Landers says
Yep – they actually retrofitted us a single bathroom and water fountain in our gym about 5 years ago – it’s way better, but I know how it was letting kids go down the hall. I would just do whatever your school policies and the regular practice of the other teachers at your school are doing.
You can always give them a physical pass so that only 1 is gone at a time as well.
J Trusa says
7th year teacher here! Good job on the website with a lot of great ideas! My lesson back to school is very similar and structured. Keep up the great work and have an awesome school year!
Mr. Chasteen says
Hi Ben,
Thanks for everything you do, I’ve used several of your lesson plans and resources and they have benefited my students greatly. I am wondering, are you willing to share a bigger image of your two rules posters and the bathroom poster? I’d like to print those on an 8×11.5 for my gym.
Thank you,
Mr. Chasteen
Ben Landers says
You can check them out and download them in the “Management Pro Pack” here: http://thepespecialist.com/hacks
Jennifer nelson says
Hey this is awesome.. ur website is amazing. You have amazing ideas so I have a question for ya! We have a classes from 30-60! They have 5 mins to get dressed for a 45 mins class. Well the guys get in and out in a min and the girls take forever. We stretch first in our stretching lines so the guys are just sitting there and a couple of girls. Any activity we could do with the ones that are always waiting and so eager to play?
Ben Landers says
I would just choose something that your kids resonate with so it’s a motivator for them to dress out quickly. The quicker they get out the more game time they can have.
Maybe 4-square, Knockout, jumpropes… just depends one what your kids are into and can do independently
Sheri Rockel says
I love the idea of Home Base spots! Do you assign them as they walk in on the first day? How much time does that take? Do you keep a chart of who goes where?
Ben Landers says
Yep, we get them on the first day with 1st – 5th. (I just have my Kinder kids sit in the middle circle). It takes about 2-3 minutes usually, even less with the older kids.
Actually just wrote a blog about this, you can check it out here: https://www.thepespecialist.com/homebasespots/
Mr. Hazel says
I’ll be a going into my first year of teaching PE for 1st-6h graders and wanted to know how you would spread out each lessons for 40 mins each? For example, introduction and rules and polices/expectations etc. Would love any type of feedback.
Ben Landers says
I have 50 minute classes, so pretty similar to you. My structure for 2nd – 5th is normally:
– Instant Activity + Warmup/Stretch = 5-10 minutes depending on the activity
– Get into the lesson introducing new concepts, skill practice with progressions getting more difficult as we go along – 10 minutes
– Modified Gameplay – 25-30 minutes
– Closure – 5 minutes
Of course that changes depending on what we’re doing, at the beginning of a unit I spend more time developing and practicing skills – towards the end we spend more time playing games.
With K-1: it’s a similar start, but instead of gameplay we work in stations practicing different skills
Meng says
This is great! Thanks for posting your ideas!
David Frisz says
On the first day I’ve tried to make learning the rules and expectations an active process. Some years I have put signs around the room with a rule or expectation followed by an activity to perform as they learn the rule. Other years I have written the rules/expectations along with an activity on balloons and scattered them around. After allowing time for the students to get around to all of them I bring them together to discuss the rules/expectations, and consequences. Remaining time is spent with a quick easy tag game.
I like what you are doing, thanks for sharing.
Ben Landers says
Good stuff David – thanks for sharing your ideas
Shannon says
I used your power point today to start my second semester!! Of course with some changes. But I didn’t really read the Emergency Drill page…. There are no hurricanes in Missouri. Oops! My 8th graders thought it was pretty funny. I am so glad I did this though. I have done the same thing for years and it was always boring, for me!! I feel so good about my day.
Ben Landers says
That’s awesome! Really glad it worked for you – Always nice to try something new!
Stephanie says
I’m so glad I found your blog:) I’m on my 15th year of teaching, but I love all these new ideas. I haven’t had a gym all year because the floor is being replaced. I’m supposed to get back in next week and I need to start all new again with procedures and management. This would be the perfect time to start new. What teacher evaluation system do you have?
Ben Landers says
Hey Stephanie – Glad the blog has been helpful. In SC, we are under ADEPT, we go through an SLO process every year and do recertification every 5 years.
Stephanie says
Thank you. The school has started a new evaluation system (Danielson). I just didn’t know if there many others out there using it.
Charles D MacLean says
I really like your home base idea but was wondering if the numbers and letters are already on the floor or walls?? Thanks for clarifying
Ben Landers says
Yep, it’s like an excel spreadsheet. Numbers (1-5) on one wall and Letters (A-F) on the other wall, so I can accomodate up to 30 students.
We have another set of numbers on the other side of the gym as well for double classes.
Corey says
Great Advice for the first week…awesome
Brian Johnston says
Question on Home Base spots….what if 5 students are not present that day? That would throw everything off…especially making groups/teams for the day’s activities…what do you do in this situation? Generally I put my students are different colored teams each class to not only deal with this problem, but to give them an opportunity to play/work with a different set of students each class…instead of the same team each week…thoughts?
Ben Landers says
I normally group teams myself or use an app called Team Shake – super cool app, Google it for some tutorials.
I use home base spots as a way to check my attendance, or get warmed up or stretched out quickly.
Bo Mielczak says
Great lesson. My first lesson has very similar content. I use Power Point presentation to illustrate my information. After the presentation, For reviewing the safety rules I integrate introduction to orienteering. I created 20 stations around the gym, each with a number and different safety rule. Each pair of partners got a gym map and specified route to follow. They have to travel to each post of their route choosing different locomotor movement. After reading a rule, they have to discuss it. If they think something needs to be added, they leave their comment on sticky note. They also place a sticky note with a new word to be added to our word wall.
The PE Specialist says
Thanks for sharing. That’s a very cool idea, I’ve never ventured into orienteering, but it sounds like a lot of fun. Sticky note comments is a good one too.
Lynn Hefele says
My 1st day is very similar! We use an activity called People to People for discussing summer activities and meeting new classmates. Here is a link that demonstrates the basics. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JuJE9Uhqgno Of course, I make it age appropriate. When they meet a new partner we start with- name to name, and a discussion question, i.e. What did you do this summer. We also use different locomotor skills when searching for a new partner. We build up to bigger groups as well.
Thanks for the post!
The PE Specialist says
That’s awesome – great game idea. Thanks for the comment.
Anna says
Thanks Ben for the ideas!
Coach G says
Great break down of a first day lesson and thank you for the physical literacy video as a resource! Have a great school year!
The PE Specialist says
Thanks, there are 2 other videos in the series as well – worth checking out. Have a good one.
Shane says
Hi Ben,
I love the video. I was wondering do you show these videos to all grades K-5? And do you fit in the other two videos sometime later in the year?
Thanks!
Ben Landers says
In the past I showed it to K-5, but since then I only showed it to K-2 because the 3rd-5th graders remembered it and didn’t really want to watch it again.
I showed the other videos to my 3-5 classes one a week the following weeks.