Leaf Sweep Lesson Plan Pre-K Gross Motor & OT Duration: 35–40 Mins
Leaf Sweep Lesson Plan
Focus: Midline Crossing
Motor Goal
Continuous bilateral sweeping across body center without switching hands.
Visual Motor
Smooth visual tracking of light silk leaves along high-contrast curved floor tape.
Setting & Group
Gymnasium or clear rug space; small groups of 3–4 per floor path.
Key Materials
Kid brooms, 20–30 silk maple leaves, 3 rolls painter's tape, bins.
Floor Environment Setup & Tape Blueprint (Pre-Class Prep)
Path 1: Gentle Waves Beginner
Shallow sinusoidal tape line (8–10 ft long). Width: 2 inches. Leaves stay near center curve.
Path 2: S-Curve River Target
Three deep alternating curves requiring arms to cross fully from left hip to right hip.
Path 3: Infinity Loop Challenge
Figure-8 closed circuit. Child circles left, crosses intersection, circles right continuously.
Pacing & Step-by-Step Instructional Sequence
01
Warm-Up: "Wind in the Autumn Trees" (6–8 mins)
Whole Group Circle
Children stand holding a silk leaf in two hands. Cue "gentle breeze" (swaying left and right across midline) and "gust of wind" (reaching high, swooping low across knees). Model two-hand broom grip without brooms first: "Top hand hugs the knob, bottom hand guides the bristles!"
02
Direct Modeling: The Midline Sweep Rule (5 mins)
Path Demonstration
Demonstrate on the S-Curve. Show common trap: pivoting whole body or swapping hands. Model correct technique: "Tummy buttons face forward like headlights! Let your broom arms cross over to tickle your opposite shoe." Introduce cue chant: "Eyes on the leaf, swish to the beat!"
03
Rotational Practice: The Leaf Sweep Trails (18–20 mins)
Small Station Groups
Learners rotate across the 3 tape paths. Each student nudges 2 silk leaves from start line into the designated "Leaf Bin" at the trail's end. Peers hold mini dustpans or cheer while waiting. Provide immediate tactile tactile touch cue to shoulders if torso twists excessively.
Lesson Guide • The 'Leaf-Sweep' Midline Path Page 1 of 2
Occupational Therapy & Differentiation
Coaching Cues & Assessment Rubric
Gross Motor & Bilateral Integration
Occupational Therapy Coaching Cues & Ergonomics
Two-Hand Separation
Ensure dominant hand is at mid-handle and non-dominant stabilizing near top knob. Place colored tape rings on the broom handle as visual hand grips.
Trunk Stabilization
Watch for children turning their entire body to avoid crossing the line. Cue: "Glue your tummy headlights forward! Reach your broom across like giving a hug."
Saccadic Eye Tracking
Prompt child to maintain gaze on the fluttering silk leaf as it drifts across the tape line. This activates convergent tracking across visual fields.
Support & Modifications (Tier 1/2)
• Wider Tape Lanes: Lay two parallel tape strips 12 inches apart to form a clearly bounded "river" rather than a single line.
• Heavier Objects: If silk leaves flutter away too rapidly, swap with lightweight felt leaves or crumpled tissue paper balls.
• Hand-over-Hand: Guide shoulders gently to cue diagonal arm sweep across the chest.
Extensions & Challenges
• Dual-Color Sorting: Place 1 red and 1 yellow leaf; child must sweep red to the left bin and yellow to the right bin.
• Pinecone Obstacles: Add soft mini pinecones along the curve that child must sweep around without touching.
• Reverse Sweep: Walking gently backwards while pulling the leaf along the curved tape path.
Pre-K Motor Planning Observational Checklist
Skill / Indicator Emerging (1) Developing (2) Proficient (3) Two-Hand Broom Grip One hand only; broom drags Holds with two hands; hands clustered Top/mid spaced bilateral grip Crossing Midline Swaps hands at centerline or spins body Crosses midline with slight torso turn Full diagonal sweep across body axis Visual Motor Tracking Sweeps randomly; loses sight of leaf Tracks intermittently; pauses often Smooth head/eye pursuit along path
Next Transition: Calming Sensory Cool-Down
Transition students seamlessly to rug positions using the Falling Leaf Cool Down routine to regulate heart rate.
5 Mins
Lesson Guide • The 'Leaf-Sweep' Midline Path Page 2 of 2
Leaf Path Slides Pre-K Motor Adventure
Fall Movement Lab
Leaf Path Sweepers!
Grab your kid-sized broom, follow the curved tape trails, and guide your autumn leaves without losing your path!
Two Hands
Teamwork Grip
Cross the Line
Across Your Tummy
Watch the Leaf
Eyes On Target
1
How We Hold Our Broom
Broom Grip Check
Top Hand
The Steady Anchor
Hugs the very top knob of the handle. It stays quiet and guides the broom like a lighthouse!
Helper Rule:
Keep this hand up high near your chest!
Bottom Hand
The Sweeper Driver
Holds down near the middle tape mark. It gives gentle swooshes to push the autumn leaf!
Helper Rule:
Both hands work together as best friends!
Our Broom Chant: "Top hand steady, bottom hand sweep, leaves stay in a tidy heap!"
2
The Tummy Line Trick
Crossing the Midline
Yes! Do This!
Reach Across Your Body
Keep your tummy button pointing straight ahead like car headlights!
Let your broom arms reach across from left to right like a big hug.
Your arms cross the center line while your feet take small forward steps!
Tricky Trap! Avoid This!
Don't Spin Your Body!
Do not switch your hands back and forth when the tape turns.
Do not twist your whole body around in circles to cheat the curve!
Keep your broom grip locked in place all the way to the end!
Teacher Cue: "Keep headlights forward! Let your broom give the floor a diagonal hug!"
3
The Three Autumn Trails
Floor Paths
1
Gentle Breeze
Soft Wavy Waves
A soft rolling line. Practice small baby swishes to guide your leaf along the yellow tape!
Goal: Warm-up control
2
River S-Curve
Deep S-Bends
Big winding turns! Sweep all the way from your left side across to your right side!
Goal: Full midline sweep
3
Infinity Loop
Figure-8 Circuit
The master challenge! Swoop around the circle, cross through the middle, and around again!
Goal: Continuous rhythm
Leaf Trail Activity Cards Floor Station Cue Cards
Leaf Trail Activity Cards
Cut or display at path start
Place these visual mission cards at the starting line of each floor tape path. They provide quick visual references, action chants, and OT motor cues for preschool sweeper teams.
Station 1 • Warm-Up Trail
The Gentle Wavy Breeze
Tape Shape: Shallow Wave
Mission: Keep 1 silk leaf hugging the golden tape line. Use small, rhythmic sweeping taps. Do not let the leaf blow into the grass!
Trail Chant: "Swish, swish, gentle breeze, sweep the leaf around the trees!"
Motor Cue Two hands on broom handle!
Station 2 • Target Midline Trail
The Winding River S-Curve
Tape Shape: Deep S-Curves
Mission: The river bends sharply! Sweep from your left toe all the way across to your right toe without switching your hands!
Trail Chant: "Bend to the left, cross to the right, keep that yellow leaf in sight!"
Motor Cue Tummy headlights face front!
Station 3 • Master Challenge
The Figure-8 Forest Loop
Tape Shape: Infinity Circuit
Mission: Continuous motor flow! Guide your leaf around loop 1, cross the center bridge X mark, and loop around loop 2 before sweeping into the bin.
Trail Chant: "Around the loop and cross the bridge, highest climb on Sweeper Ridge!"
Motor Cue Never lift bristles high!
Teacher Tip: Have resting students hold a toy leaf bin or dustpan at the end of each path to practice cooperative play and turn-taking!
Activity Materials • Floor Cue Cards Page 1 of 2
Leaf Ranger Mission Log
Official Sweeper
Sweeper Name:
Date:
Trail Completion Badges (Stamp, Sticker, or Draw a Leaf!)
Teacher / Peer stamp
Trail 1: Gentle Wave
Stamp When Done
Trail 2: S-Curve River
Stamp When Done
Trail 3: Infinity Loop
Stamp When Done
Finger & Crayon Midline Tracing Practice
Sit tall with your paper centered in front of your tummy. Without moving your paper or shifting your chair, trace each line with your finger or crayon from the leaf to the basket!
Start
Basket
Start
Basket
Start
Basket
Which trail was your favorite?
Gentle Wave S-Curve River Infinity Loop
Falling Leaf Cool Down Guide Post-Sweeping Regulation Duration: 5–7 Mins
Falling Leaf Cool Down Guide
Sensory Reset
Student Name:
Date:
The 4-Step Floating Leaf Breath (Somatic Breathing)
Repeat 3 to 4 times
Step 1
Breeze Inhale
Breathe in slowly through your nose. Float your silk leaf high in two hands like a rising gust of wind.
Count: 1... 2... 3...
Step 2
Gentle Hover
Pause your breath softly. Hold the leaf steady high in the air as if caught in a cozy warm breeze.
Hold: 1... 2...
Step 3
Fluttering Drift
Breathe out through soft lips. Blow gently so the leaf flutters slowly side-to-side down to your lap.
Exhale: 1... 2... 3... 4...
Step 4
Forest Rest
Place the leaf softly on your tummy. Watch it rise and fall as your body settles into calm stillness.
Rest: Quiet & Still
"From Tree to Leaf" Progressive Muscle Relaxation
1
The Tall Maple
Sit cross-legged. Reach both arms high into the air like branches reaching for autumn sunlight. Stretch tall!
2
Swaying Branches
Gently sway your arms from left to right across your tummy midline. Soft, slow movements like a gentle autumn wind.
3
Sleeping Leaf
Fold gently forward over your knees. Rest your forehead on your hands. Breathe softly on the cool forest floor.
My Body & Heart Rate Check-In
Put one hand over your heart. Circle the picture that matches how your body feels right now:
Buzzy & Fast Ready to move and run!
Floating & Gentle Heart is soft and calm.
Quiet & Cozy Ready for quiet stories!
Cool-Down Resource • The 'Leaf-Sweep' Midline Path Preschool Sensory Transition Guide
