How do you Start Your PE Class Each Day?
When my kids walk into their Physical Education class, our routine is that I give them a quick greeting and then we get into a quick warm-up or instant activity. After that we do a little stretching with our Daily Warmup Routine while we’re spread out at our Home Base Spots. While we get stretched out I take attendance and give any needed announcements and then get into our lesson for the day.
Rules Review
For every K-2nd Grade class I always start by reviewing 3 important rules that my kiddos struggle with (see below)
Start Simple
At the beginning of the year I usually keep the warm-up really simple and do walking lines and jogging lines (jog the sidelines and walk the end lines) to some upbeat music for about 2-3 minutes (here are my PE Playlists). As the year progresses we’ll add some more locomotor movements on the lines like skipping, galloping, sliding.
Sometimes we also add in some footwork ladders on the lines or even going over and under hurdles while traveling around the room.
Skill Related Instant Activities
Once my kids are in a good routine I start to mix it up with some other instant activities. Sometimes we add challenges related to the unit or lesson we are working on that day – for example balancing a ball on a paddle or dribbling a basketball while you are traveling around.
Skill Formula = 4-5 Reps of any skill – Jog a Lap – Repeat
For an example, check out the video below for an instant activity that I use in my Frisbee Unit.
The formula above works great for any unit that you’re teaching just change the skill challenge to apply to your lesson, you can change the number of reps and change the skill, for another example in the video below we’re working on throwing and catching off the wall and only doing 3 catches.
You can also add more levels if you want them to work on more than one variation of the skill, see an example below for a format that I use often to allow students to self progress using animated GIFS to show skill specific instant activity challenges.
Fun Quick Games and Challenges
I usually don’t introduce games as instant activities until after at least the first quarter since I want my kids to get into a good routine and learn the dynamics of each class and student. Once I feel we are ready I will introduce some fun quick games or challenges as instant activities for my classes that can handle it. For my K-1st students I normally keep it pretty simple and use the same activities I’ve mentioned above, but with my 3rd-5th grade classes (and sometimes a mature 2nd grade class) I find that most of the games below work pretty successfully.
The Thunderstick Challenge
This is a classic activity that I always do with my kids during our Jump Rope Unit, but I also bust it out every now and then just for fun to switch things up for our instant activity.
Check it out below for an example:
Basically, I have the kids all come to the middle and if the rope hits their feet – they either head to the walk/jog lines, or grab a jumprope and practice until the 3 minute timer is done.
Another great Jump Rope Warmup if your students already know how to do it is doing the “Whirlwind Challenge” for 3 minutes, same rules as Thunderstick if you get eliminated (Shoutout to J.D. Hughes for showing me this awesome jumprope game).
I spend an entire lesson of our jump rope unit on the Whirl Wind challenge with my 3rd – 5th graders and then once they already know the rules we might use it for an instant activity in a following lesson.
SWITCH
Switch is a really fun no equipment game that’s perfect for recess and can be played on a 4 square court or using 4 cones, spots or tape to mark the 4 corners of a square.
If you’ve never seen it, check out the video below:
If you want more info about SWITCH you can head over to this page for a more detailed breakdown of the game
The Cone Flip Mixer
This is a game that I used for a Field Day Relay Race and the kids loved it so much that I started using it as a mixer or instant activity as well to talk about winning and losing and learning to be a good sport.
Check out the video below for an example:
If you want more info, check out this page for a more detailed breakdown of the game
The Fastest Class Challenge
This is a fun class running challenge that I do with all my classes in 1st – 5th grade.
I run the challenge 3 times a year and it’s been super motivating for students and allows for some healthy competition between classes.
You check out the video below for an overview of the Fastest Class Challenge:
All Links from the video linked on the page below:
Plug and Play Activities
There are definitely times that I need to setup or take down equipment to transition from one class to the next or do some other management task – in those situations I use warm-ups that are plug and play – so the kids are engaged and active while I’m getting ready for the lesson.
These are some of my Favorite Plug and Play Warm-Up Activities. They are great for those situations when need to transition or prepare for the next lesson, but also need to get your class warmed up. Just setup a projector or plug into a TV and you are good to go.
If you don’t have to do another task like setup equipment or take attendance you can join in the activity with your kids and lead by example, while also offering feedback and refinements throughout the activity.
Note: The first 3 activities will require a screen, TV or projector of some kind.
Youtube Follow Alongs
After the year most teachers had in 2020 and many of us going virtual for at least part of the time, there are TONS of awesome follow along videos that would work great for kids warming up. Some of my favorite channels for quick warmups are Go Noodle, Fitness Blender, Just Dance Videos and Get Kids Moving
When I was teaching virtually I also made a cool resource for our Membership and TPT store with over 100 of my favorite follow along workouts and warmups – you can check it out on TPT here: The Youtube Resource Guide or if you’re a member you can download it in the membership area.
Sometimes I even put my own Daily Warmup Follow Along up for the kids if I am setting up for an activity
Follow the Leader Skills Videos and Animated GIFS
After I got a TV installed in my gym I started creating follow the leader videos for each unit that I was teaching my students. I really loved having them warmup using skills that are specific to the lesson and would contribute to the overall focus of the unit.
It was a ton of work figuring out how to use a green screen and deciding what skills to use, but I’m so glad I did because it’s been a great tool to use when teaching. In the videos I take students through different skills related to the unit and move to a new skill every 30 – 60 seconds depending on the video
I also used the videos to create some great Animated GIF Slideshows that I use to progress. students through a lesson and sometimes use as Instant Activity challenges as well, see the video below for an example:
Or sometimes instead of having a sequence 1-4, I’ll just throw up a few different skill challenges and let the students choose the one they would like to work on
You can see below for an example of a summary slide from our Jump Rope Unit, so students could choose out of these 4 skills which one they’d like to work on.
If you want to see the whole process I used to create these Follow The Leader Videos and Animated GIF Packs, check out this post
The Sworkit App
Sworkit is a great App and also has an online version as well now with a “Kids” section that is free for anyone to use. If you want to see a walkthrough of how to sign up and what the workouts look like check out this video.
It’s an awesome tool for PE Teachers. You can create custom workouts with your own exercises and choose any length that you’d like.
The examples are all appropriate for elementary age students and the app has kids performing the exercises as well. Just plug your iPad, iPhone or computer into a projector or TV and have your kids follow along.
You can sign up for a free account at https://sworkit.com/
Offer a Choice
Another fun and motivating thing to do is to offer your students an option to choose between 2 warmup activities.
For example sometimes I tell my students they can either do a Just Dance video in the middle of the gym jog and jump hurdles on the jogging lines.
Before I had a TV in my Gym, I would just offer students the choice to do a Line Dance in the middle or jog the outside, here’s a fun line dance if you need an idea.
Interval Timer Pro
No TV or Screen? Then this one is for you. I use this App any time we are doing a tabata style or crossfit style warmup. I use station slips to indicate a few exercises or activities for students to choose from at each station and then input what intervals I want to use – play some music and then the app rotates the kids around the room for a set number of rotations automatically.
If you do have a screen you can plug the app into the screen so students can see the countdown timer for each rotation as an added bonus.
You can use any exercises, but I created my own set of 25 Exercise Posters that I use for interval workouts, see an example below:
You can check out the 25 Exercise Posters Pack Here if you’re Interested
I usually do a 30 seconds on – 15 seconds rest/rotate – If you have 6 stations that means you have a 4.5 minute warmup activity (3 minutes of work, 1.5 minutes of rest/rotation)
This is also a great way to use stations to give a quick review of content you’ve already taught or give your students practice for something you are planning to teach soon.
Workout Posters
- If you haven’t taken advantage of the hundreds of free workout posters at Darebee.com you really need to check them out. You can also find posters homemade by some great Phys Ed teachers around on the internet… Like these super hero posters for example.
- Workout posters are great – they give students a few options to choose from and are self paced. Just set a time limit and see how many times your kids can get through the workout before the time limit is up. I leave a few permanently up on my walls in the gym.
- I also created some pretty cool One Page Workouts myself using the exercise posters I mentioned earlier, which you can check out here if your interested
Daily Stretching Routine
After my students complete one of the instant activities I mentioned in this post we will head to our Home Base Spots which is how I do assigned seats in my gym. I will lead a quick stretching routine (or have a student lead) and take attendance while the kids are getting stretched out.
- You can check out the poster from the video above by clicking the link below:
I hope some of those instant activities and warmups are useful for you and spark some new ideas for you to try with your students!
Willam Kropog says
I teach at an alternative school. My students are all 6-8 grade. So far there are some things I will probably incorporate. However, we only have an outside court, so many of the things for placing on walls will not work, especially since most days are highly windy. The Good Sportsmanship, and Self-Assessment ideas I love.
Marcus says
No problem Willam! We always say, “Take what works, trash what doesn’t”. Glad you’re finding some of the resources helpful!
Madisen says
I LOVE LOVE LOVE these warm up activities. I am going to start implementing these in all of my PE classses. I feel like the students and I get very bored of the typical dynamic warm up. I cannot wait to change it up!
Marcus says
Hey Madisen!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
David says
As a high-school PE teacher, I still find so much value in your posts. I’ll be looking for ways to adapt and include the “fastest class challenge” and “SWITCH” into future classes. Thanks for all of your hard work!
Marcus says
That’s awesome to hear David! Thanks for sharing! Good to see the resources still being helpful at the secondary level!
Lindsey K Winn says
Where did you get the stick for your Thunderstick Challenge? I have jump ropes and whiffles balls but that hollow stick how do you keep the rope in there it looks like they have a cap on the end to keep it tight. ????
Marcus says
Hey Lindsey!
You can find all my recommended equipment and technology tools at the link below:
http://thepespecialist.com/amazon
The Jump Baton/Thuderstick is on the list and linked below:
http://amzn.to/2tyOO1n
Hope this helps!
Cynthia says
I would love some ideas for just outside as my school does not have a gym. We are outside ALL year round.
Thanks,
Marcus says
Hey Cynthia,
We usually teach in my gym to save time and steer clear of distractions, but sometimes I’ll go outside when the weather is nice or when we have a scheduling conflict in the gym.
Below you’ll find a few ideas for teaching outside.
Jump Rope is a great activity and can be taught and played pretty much anywhere, overview of my unit below
https://www.thepespecialist.com/jumprope/
Frisbee is an awesome outdoor activity, here’s a walkthrough of how I teach it:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/frisbeestations/
Four Square is a classic recess/camp activity and is great if you have a black top or some concrete to play on. I’ve never played on dirt or grass, but if it was hard enough ground you might be able to make it work
https://www.thepespecialist.com/foursquare/
Tag Games are always fun to play outside here’s a few of my favorites
Noodle Tag https://www.thepespecialist.com/noodletag/
Fire and Ice https://www.thepespecialist.com/fireandice/
Throwing and Catching games are fun if you have a fenced in area, if the area is too big or unfenced it can get annoying with all the balls getting lost or rolling super far away, so it kind of depends on your space, a few of my favs are linked up in the post below:
How I Teach Throwing and Catching in PE: https://www.thepespecialist.com/throwing
Team Building Games are great for any setting
Cross the River
Pass the Frog
Hula Hut Relays
Adventure Bingo
The Crazy Cards Challenge
Fitness activities can be done anywhere as well, I will sometimes do circuit training with my 25 Exercise Posters or use my One Page Workouts to do an AMRAP style workout
Using Exercise Posters for Warm Ups and Workouts
Also, the Fastest Class Challenge is a good outdoor activity: https://www.thepespecialist.com/fastestclasschallenge/
Coach Schmidt says
I would like to purchase a Thunderstick. If I am trying to find one at a vendor, what would it be called?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Coach,
Thunderstick can be found at the link below:
http://amzn.to/2tyOO1n
You can find all my recommended equipment and technology tools at the link below:
http://thepespecialist.com/amazon
Thanks!
Cindy morehouse says
Hi Ben,
In times of COVID I am looking for new plans for when I have a substitute teacher. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Cindy
Marcus Nellems says
You’re welcome Cindy! Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Sarah says
We have a set warm up we do, called Head to Toe. I like the idea of having it printed out for students to refer too (the cheat sheet). I teach PE in the UK to Years 1-6.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Sarah,
Thanks for the feedback!
Matthew says
Great way to work out and have fun at same time.
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Matthew,
Thanks for the feedback. We appreciate it!
Brian says
Thanks for all of the great ideas. When my students come into the gym, I have a specific place for them to stand. I call it their “Homebase”. Once they all get to their spot, I will usually give them a choice for the warm-up exercises to do for the day. This did take some time to go over at the beginning of the year, but they now know a wide variety of warm-up exercises get to choose from their favorites.
Ben Landers says
Awesome! It’s so helpful to have a good routine in place.
Tami says
Hi,
I am a member and use your posters all the time. I am trying to print your stretching routine poster but it is going to charge me $4. Since I am a member, is there a way to get this poster for free? I teach at three different schools.
Thanks,
Tami
Ben Landers says
Yep! You can just login to the forums and download it in the Posters and printables section, if you missed our welcome page explaining how to access resources check it out below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/welcome-to-the-membership/
ramakrishnan says
Warm up before a workout is very essential because without warming up muscles are not prepared for firing in a maximum throughput and will also lead to injury. Thanks for sharing this information on warmup movements.
Sarah says
I love your blog! I have a quick question: Do you let students pass one another when they are jogging/walking the lines for warm up? Or do they have to stay in a line? This has been such a struggle for me. I’ve tried it both ways and when they pass, they cut corners and almost knock people over and when they stay in a line, there is always that slow person who refuses to walk fast or jog and it slows everyone down. Any suggestions? I teach PreK through 5th grade.
Ben Landers says
With K-2 I usually do no passing, with 3-5 I sometimes allow them to pass each other depending on the responsibility of the class and put out 4 cones for them to jog around
Ellen says
Hello, I am so pleased to join your blog! I am teaching a health and PE course for preservice elementary and middle school teachers. You have given me many wonderful ideas for engaging my teachers in teaching skills according to the psychomotor, affective and social-emotional development of each student. I will be returning soon!
Ben Landers says
Hey Ellen – so pumped to hear you’ve gotten some good ideas, thanks for the feedback!
Jeni says
I noticed that besides the superhero warmup posters there were cards. Any ideas on how the cards are used? I am wondering if there is a game? Thanks for any ideas.
Ben Landers says
No idea, but you could contact Mr. C on Twitter and ask him how it works – he’s the one that created the cards
Christine Basile says
Ben, thank you so much for the self-assessment idea for the end of class. I now use it in my health and PE classes and the students LOVE it. I used emojis for the WOW…Got it…Almost There… Not Yet and my second and third graders love tapping out at the end of class. I’m getting great feedback from other teachers as well! Thank you for sharing your ideas.
Chris
Ben Landers says
I’ve seen a few of the Emoji versions on Twitter – I might have to add some to mine, cool idea.
Glad it’s working for you
Melanie Dan says
This is my 17th year teaching but it’s my first as a full time gym teacher. I have used all of your suggestions for the first week and I cannot tell you how much you have positively impacted my program. The Home Base spots, Conflict corner, PE Rules, noodle tag, walking and jogging lines… Everything has been incredibly helpful. I think I’m going to love teaching gym!
Thank you,
Melanie
Ben Landers says
So great to hear that Melanie! Hope you have an awesome first year!
P.S. Start calling yourself a “PE Teacher” instead of “Gym Teacher” – the gym is your classroom not what you teach 🙂
Sue says
Thank you, Ben. I ALWAYS teach my PE students (and teachers) to call me/or others, Physical Education teachers, or PE teachers for short. I’ve found that “gym teachers” is actually demeaning to our profession.
Always try to keep a positive/tactful attitude when working to change things.
David says
Thank you so much Ben, your contents are very nice and hopefully will help me tomorrow to get my job dream, PE teacher.
Scott Blessman says
Your blog is making the transition into my first year as Physical Education Teacher amazing!
Ben Landers says
Thanks Scott! Appreciate you checking it out and I’m pumped that it’s helpful – have a great first year!
Deanna Solomon says
This is getting me motivated for that first week. My goal is to read a bit of your site/blog each day to prepare me for my new role in Physical Education.
As an Ontario teacher, I am pleased to see the OPHEA video.
Thank for all of your guidance and keeping PE fun.
D
Ben Landers says
Wow – I’m excited for you with the new job – congrats! I hope the site gives you some great ideas.
Connie Dunn says
I love Parillo’s Let’s Dance videos on You Tube
Ben Landers says
Yes! Ben’s got a great Youtube Channel – definitely recommend it.
Aimee Kirschenmann says
What an incredibly helpful website you’ve created! Thank you. I plan to use many of your ideas this school year. I teach k-5 at a small Christian school and the kids will love many of these activities. Thank you, Aimee
Ben Landers says
That’s great Aimee, thanks for sharing! Glad it’s helpful.