One of the big focuses for many PE Teachers in Kindergarten and First Grade is working on performing the Locomotor Movements: Skip, Slide, Gallop, Leap, Hop, Jump (Shape America GLO S1:E1)
Usually this kind of activity or skills is also combined with teaching students to move around safely in open space, which is an extremely useful and mandatory skill for the majority of games and sports that kids will be playing in future years.
So throughout Kindergarten and First Grade I am constantly reviewing, reminding and teaching Locomotor Movement’s and also working on finding open space and moving safely.
During my teaching experience, I’ve personally found that while it is important to teach the kids how to do the different locomotor movements, the best way for them to learn is simply by practicing and watching their friends and learning from those that know how to Slide, Skip, Gallop, Leap and others.
So for this reason you gotta practice, practice, practice and work different movements into all of your activities for your younger students.
The “Call it Macaroni” Song
One of my favorite ways to review locomotors with my kids is to play the song “Call it Macaroni” as a warmup or as a reward at the end of class. If you’re not familiar with it, you can check out below:
If you want the song, you can buy an OLD SCHOOL CD with the song above “Call it Macaroni” or download it digitally here: Download/Buy the Song
Another similar and popular follow along song is Listen and Move by Gregg and Steve
Another fun song I use is the Chicken Dance, click the graphic below to see how I teach it to my students:
The Locomotor License Test
At the end of the year in First Grade, I give my students a performance test to see if they know their Locomotor movements and can perform them correctly and safely. I call the test “The Locomotor License Test”. It’s a pretty big deal if you’re in First Grade.
Check out the details in the video below:
P.S. While I’ve seen this concept in a few different places, I did find this post on PE Central that inspired the way I run my test.
As you can imagine, there are sometimes a few tears from students that don’t receive their license on the first try. However, those students always come back to the next class ready to go and get their license on their second try.
I always tell my kiddos the true story of how I didn’t pass my first Drivers License Test and had to go home and practice my Parallel Parking skills and take again the following week in order to pass.
Honestly, I think it probably means more to the students who have to take the retest than the students who get it on the first try. It’s the whole idea of the journey being more important than the destination.
The harder you work for something, the more it means to you.
During the “re-test” depending on how many students still haven’t received their license and which locomotor’s students need to show me, I might have them perform a follow the leader song like the “Call it Macaroni Song” as described in the video at the beginning of this post – it’s a little bit faster and still goes through most of the locomotor movements.
After the Locomotor License Test I usually have some station activities set up for my kiddos to review skills and challenge themselves while having fun!
View this post on Instagram
More Resources
Another cool free resource comes from Helena Baert – it’s got a ton of progressions, video examples and assessment ideas for different Locomotor Movements, check it out below:
Also, if you have questions about how I use assessment for my PE Grades, check out the “How I Do Grades in PE” video on my FAQ Page HERE
If you want to download the Lesson Plan and the Locomotor Licenses that I use to print/laminate for my kids – click the button below for a free download:
Have Fun and Teach On!
Joanna K Kunze says
Hi Ben,
Could you please let me know what class reward games you use?
I’m searching for an activity that would compare to the excitement of Flash Light Tag.
I used to use Flash Light Tag as a reward day for students after they completed a skills unit ie. jump rope or basketball.
Unfortunately, I was just informed that students are not able to play it anymore.
The students are going to be super bummed. They work really hard for their reward days.
Any help you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you!
Joanna
P.S. Love your teaching videos and ideas! Just watched your kindergarten jump rope video and feel more prepared.
Marcus says
Hey Joanna,
Thanks for reaching out!
Check out our RESOURCES page for fun tag games and activity for reward games.
Noodle Dance Tag is a student favorite!
Susan Aldine says
My one caution for all teachers is not to let the “need for assessments” make you do things you think are so basic you would not ordinarily try to measure. Measuring and documenting can take up way too much time and unnecessarily interupt a natural flow to teaching and learning and enjoying a classroom. (People naturally jump, they don’t have to be “taught and assessed” on it — just give them lots of opportunities to jump! Stop documenting it!)
Marcus says
Agreed Susan! Thanks for sharing your take!
Roseann Wallace says
Hi Ben,
I’m a huge follower of yours and as I was looking at your locomotor licenses, I was surprised that there were no pictures of students
with color or racial identities. ( Asian, Hispanic, African American etc)
I teach at a multicultural school and would not be able to hand out these. Please note that my intent is not to be highly critical, just concerned not to disrespect other nationalities and races.
Thanks for all you do to promote physical education. You have
transformed the field in many positive ways.
Warm regards,
Rose Wallace
Marcus says
Hey Roseann,
Thanks for reaching out!
We are currently in the process of updating or resources with more diverse examples!
As you can see in our newly update exercise posters:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/exerciseposters/
Thanks for letting us know, we appreciate the comments!
Tabitha Hollman says
Thank you so much for sharing Mr. Chris’ Hip Hop music!!! I downloaded the music on my phone. New stuff is always great!
Thanks again,
Tabitha:)
Marcus Nellems says
You’re welcome Tabitha!
Feel free to share any jams you love our way. New music is always welcome!
Beckie Luella Niederer says
I have searched all over for the song, “Called it Macaroni”. The sites you listed aren’t working. Could you put on a new link or list the album it is contained on? THANK YOU!
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Beckie,
Thanks for reaching out! Sorry the link was broken for you…
Tough music to find but I placed a link below to where you can purchase it:
http://www.wagonwheelrecords.net/individualization-in-movement-music-cd.html
The album name is Individualization in Movement and Music! PE Locomotor Classic!
Hope this helps!
Melanie Begg says
Hi there, I’m having problems downloading the locomotor licence. Can you please email me a copy if possible?
Marcus Nellems says
Sorry about the issue, you can grab it from our Teachers Pay Teachers page as well, link below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Just search “locomotor”
Mathiyazakan says
Hi
It’s Covid 19 period in Singapore. Schools are closed and we teachers are planning online lessons. I was working on a lesson on locomotor and non-locomotor movements. The end product for kids is to come up with a dance workout incorporating locomotor and non-locomotor movements . Your chicken dance nailed it well. It is truly an easy way to make kids understand what is expected of them. Kudos to your enthusiasm. Keep it up, Man.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey,
Thanks for reaching out! I’m glad you’re enjoying the resources.
Dr. Ellen Silver-Horrell says
I absolutely love your activities, website, videos! I especially like your positive ways of teaching kids in a fun, developmentally appropriate manner. I even visited your school website (they are so lucky to have you!)! Unfortunately, I cannot afford the membership fee, which is a bit steep for me after completing my doctoral studies. However, I wondered if you have anything created for teaching health integrated with PE that is active and engaging for students…and if anyone has created a way to determine which health concepts are developmentally appropriate to teach by grade level.
Ben Landers says
Glad you like the content! I am not a health expert, but I’d recommend checking out Andy Horne and Andy Milne on Twitter, they both teach Health and have some great resources
Kristina says
Your link to the license cards is not working 🙁
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue, they are working now
Sharon Gregory says
Is there a way to download the Locomotor Movement Assessment? I can’t find a way to save the posters. Thanks
Ben Landers says
I think there should be, I would contact Helena (the link above will take you to her site) and ask her if you’re having issues – or Google it.