Personal Fitness Guide Lesson Plan
Heart Rate Heroes
Personal Fitness Guide
Teacher Resource
Objective
Students will learn to measure and record their heart rate before, during, and after activity, reflect on patterns, and set one personalized fitness goal in a 20-minute individualized session.
Audience & Approach
Audience: 6th Grade (Tier 3 Individual)
Approach: Guided, scaffolded worksheet activities with 1:1 support.
The "Why"
"Helping students track their own heart data empowers them to understand how physical activity affects their body, promotes self-awareness, and builds motivation with one-on-one support."
Teacher Prep
- Review procedures in this Personal Fitness Guide.
- Ensure printed copies of: Know Your Numbers Slides, My Heart Rate Log, and Reflection & Next Steps.
- Test timer or watch to track 1-minute and 15-second intervals.
Lesson Flow (20 Minutes)
4 min Stage 1
Introduction & Pulse Method
- Greet the student and explain the lesson objective: monitoring heart rate and setting a goal.
- Show Know Your Numbers slide deck: explain resting vs. active heart rate.
- Model finding the pulse on the wrist and neck; have the student practice and count for 15 seconds (×4 to get BPM).
7 min Stage 2
Activity & Data Collection
- Guide the student through 2 minutes of light exercise (jog in place, jumping jacks).
- Immediately have them measure and record heart rate on My Heart Rate Log for:
- Resting rate (pre-activity)
- Peak rate (mid-activity)
- Recovery rate (1 minute post-activity)
- Use timer/watch to ensure accurate intervals.
- Provide 1:1 support: prompt counting, help fill blanks.
5 min Stage 3
Reflection & Goal Setting
- Hand the student the Reflection & Next Steps worksheet.
- Ask guided questions: "How did your heart rate change? Which part was easiest/hardest?"
- Support the student in writing a SMART goal. Example: “In 2 weeks, I will lower my recovery rate by 5 BPM by exercising 3×/week.”
- Encourage the student to illustrate or color-code progress bars on their sheet.
4 min Stage 4
Wrap-Up & Encouragement
- Review their recorded data and goal aloud together.
- Praise effort and set a check-in date.
- Offer a positive note: “You’re a Heart Rate Hero—keep tracking!”
Kit Checklist:
Slide Deck
Heart Rate Log
Reflection Sheet
Timer
Pencil
Know Your Numbers Slides
Know Your Numbers
Understanding Your Heart Rate
TEACHER NOTE: Welcome the student. "Today we’re going to learn how to find and understand your heart rate so you can track it like a pro!"
What Is Heart Rate?
- Heart Rate = the number of times your heart beats in one minute (BPM).
- It tells us exactly how hard our heart is working.
- It changes based on activity, rest, or even how you feel!
The Engine of You
Teacher Note: Heart rate is simply how many times your heart beats each minute.
Resting vs. Active
Resting
When you are calm, sitting, or still.
60–100
Beats Per Minute
Active / Peak
During exercise, running, or movement.
150–180
Beats Per Minute
Recovery Rate: How quickly your heart slows back down after you stop moving.
TEACHER NOTE: Ask student what they think their resting rate might be.
How to Find Your Pulse
1. Wrist Method
Place 2 fingers on the inside of your wrist, just below your thumb.
2. Neck Method
Place 2 fingers on the side of your neck, next to your windpipe.
Press gently until you feel the "thump-thump" of your heart!
TEACHER NOTE: Demonstrate on your own wrist and neck. Have the student follow along.
Practice & Count
Count for
15
Seconds
×
Multiply by
4
Constant
=
Your
BPM
Total
Example: If you count 20 beats in 15 seconds...
20 × 4 = 80 BPM
TEACHER NOTE: Guide the student: "I'll time 15 seconds—count your beats, then we'll multiply by 4."
Ready to Record?
Head to your My Heart Rate Log to note your:
Resting Rate
Peak Rate
Recovery Rate
Teacher Note: Transition to the worksheet. "Now that you know how to measure, let’s record your numbers!"
My Heart Rate Log Journal
My Heart Rate Log
Fitness Hero Data Tracker
Name:
Date & Time:
Data Collection
| Measure | BPM | Notes (How YOU felt) |
|---|
| Resting | | |
| | |
|
| Peak (Active) |
|
|
| Recovery |
|
|
How did I feel BEFORE the activity?
How did I feel DURING the activity?
How did I feel AFTER the activity?
Pattern Discovery
What do I notice about my heart rate patterns? (Look at your numbers above!)
Heart Rate Hero Journal • Level 1: Data Scout
Reflection & Next Steps Cool Down
Reflection & Next Steps
Level Up Your Health
HERO NAME:
DATE:
1 How did my heart rate change from start to finish?
Write one or two sentences about what you noticed during your resting, peak, and recovery phases.
2 Which part was easiest or hardest for me?
Describe how you felt physically and mentally at each stage of the activity.
Set Your SMART Goal
S
Specific
My goal is to...
M
Measurable
I will measure progress by...
A
Achievable
I can reach this goal by...
R
Relevant
This matters to me because...
T
Time-bound
I will accomplish this by...
My Complete SMART Goal:
You're a Heart Rate Hero!
Keep tracking • celebrate every step