Pathways in Motion Lesson Plan Grade 1 • Physical Education
Pathways in Motion: Locomotor Adventure
Focus Skills: Galloping, Jumping, Jogging • Spatial Awareness: Straight, Curved, Zig-Zag Pathways
Duration: 45 Mins
Format: 3-Station Circuit
Class: IEP & ENL Supported
NYS PE Standards (2020)
Standard 1 (Motor Skills): NYS.PE.1.1a Demonstrates locomotor skills (gallop, jump, jog) in mature patterns and varied pathways (straight, curved, zig-zag).
Standard 2 (Knowledge): NYS.PE.1.2a Identifies personal and general space and recognizes movement concepts across pathways.
Standard 4 (Social/Safety): Follows safety rules, equipment boundaries, and shares general space responsibly.
Learning Objectives ("I Can")
• Locomotor: I can gallop smoothly with a lead foot, jump and land softly on 2 feet, and jog in control.
• Spatial Pathways: I can choose and travel along straight, curved, or zig-zag floor lines without colliding.
• Self-Assessment: I can rate my locomotor effort and identify which pathway I traveled on my exit ticket.
Gymnasium Setup & Equipment
Equipment: Poly spots (24), cones (18), floor tape / chalk, visual station signs, bilingual cue cards, tambourine/whistle.
Floor Markings: Station 1: Blue tape (Straight lines). Station 2: Green tape (Curved arches). Station 3: Orange tape (Zig-zag zig-lines).
Safety Boundaries: 10-foot buffer between stations; "Airplane arms" personal bubble check before movement begins.
1 Phase 1: Dynamic Warm-Up & Pathway Intro (8 Mins)
Gym Center Circle
Bubble Check (1 min): Students find open space, spread arms wide ("Airplane Wings"), ensure 360° personal space.
Pathway Detective (4 mins): Teacher traces paths in the air with a glowing noodle / hand. Students mirror: Straight (arrow), Curved (rainbow snake), Zig-Zag (lightning bolt).
Warm-Up Follow-the-Leader (3 mins): Gentle march in straight lines, slow curve side-to-side, zig-zag toe touches. Heart rate check (hand on chest feeling the engine).
2 Phase 2: Skill Modeling & Visual Cues (7 Mins)
Direct Instruction
Gallop (Galopar)
Cues: "Lead foot stays in front!", "Step-together-step!", "Horsey ride posture!"
Jump (Saltar)
Cues: "Bend knees like springs!", "2 feet takeoff, 2 feet soft landing!", "Motorcycle freeze!"
Jog (Trotar)
Cues: "Pumping running arms!", "Eyes up & look ahead!", "Speed control 3 out of 5!"
Pathways in Motion Lesson Plan • NYS PE Standard 1 & 2 Alignment Page 1 of 2
Station Circuit, Differentiation & Assessment
25 Mins Active Rotation
Station 1 7-8 Mins
Gallop Grove
Core Movement: Galloping with dominant & non-dominant lead foot.
Pathway Options: Follow blue straight tracks, snake through yellow cones (curved), or gallop between zig-zag spots.
Challenge: Switch lead foot at each cone!
Station 2 7-8 Mins
Jumping Jungle
Core Movement: Two-foot takeoffs & soft "motorcycle" landings.
Pathway Options: Jump along lily pad straight lines, curved rainbow arch spots, or lightning zig-zag hoops.
Challenge: Jump over mini foam hurdles in a curve!
Station 3 7-8 Mins
Jogging Journey
Core Movement: Controlled jog with arm pump and scanning eyes.
Pathway Options: Straight sprint/jog lane, circular loop track (curved), and slalom cone run (zig-zag).
Challenge: Change speeds: Turtle jog to Cheetah sprint!
Targeted Differentiation Matrix (IEP & ENL Scaffolding)
Students with IEPs (3 Students)
• Motor Coordination/Balance: Use tactile floor dots and boundary tape; allow one-foot step-hops if full galloping is challenging; provide hand-held teacher/peer support on jumps.
• Sensory / Attention Needs: Designated quiet "Pit Stop" spot within each station; clear visual station boundaries; 1-minute countdown warning before rotation whistle.
• Pacing & Task Breakdown: Segment 2-foot jump into "1-bend, 2-blast, 3-land" count cards with pictorial footprint guides.
ENL Students (4 Students)
• Bilingual Visual Supports: Spanish/English cards at every station (Línea recta = Straight, Curva = Curved, Zig-zag = Zig-zag).
• Kinesthetic & Non-Verbal Modeling: Teacher/peer demonstrator shows motion before verbal explanation; TPR (Total Physical Response) hand gestures for each pathway.
• Graphic Exit Ticket: Smiley face and visual path tracing instead of written response requirements.
Rotation Rules & Safety
• Whistle Signal: 1 tweet = Freeze & hands on knees. 2 tweets = Walk clockwise to next station.
• Pathway Etiquette: Keep eyes forward, maintain 1 pony-length behind friends, yield at zig-zag intersections.
Phase 3 & 4: Cool Down & Exit (5 Mins)
• Slow Flow Walk (2 mins): Gentle straight line walk, deep breathing balloon breaths (inhale arms up, exhale slow sink).
• Check-for-Understanding & Exit Ticket (3 mins): Quick verbal recap and complete the Pathway Pilots Exit Ticket on clipboards.
Pathways in Motion Lesson Plan • Accommodations for 3 IEP & 4 ENL Students Page 2 of 2
Locomotor Stations Activity Cards STATION 1
Gallop Grove
Movement: GALLOP / GALOPAR • 🐴 Horse Gallop Rhythm
Target Time 7-8 Mins
How to Gallop (Step-by-Step Cues)
1
Lead Foot First!
Pick one foot to stay in front. Never let the back foot pass it!
2
Step - Together - Step!
Step forward, slide back foot to meet it, then bounce forward!
3
Keep Knees Springy!
Soft bounces on the balls of your feet. Hold reins like a rider!
Choose Your Pathway (Pick 1 Each Round)
Pick: Straight, Curved, or Zig-Zag
Path A: Straight Recta
Gallop along the straight blue tape line from cone to cone.
Path B: Curved Curva
Gallop around the smooth yellow cone arc like a racetrack curve.
Path C: Zig-Zag Zig-Zag
Gallop with sharp diagonal cuts between the orange spot markers.
Gallop Super Challenges!
⭐ Switch It Up: Switch your front foot when you reach halfway!
⭐ Tempo Control: Gallop slow like a pony, then fast like a racehorse.
Safety & Space Bubble
🛡️ Look Ahead: Eyes up to avoid touching other galloping ponies.
🛡️ Wait Your Turn: Give friends 3 giant steps ahead before starting!
STATION 1: GALLOP GROVE Pathways in Motion Task Card • Physical Education Grade 1
STATION 2
Jumping Jungle
Movement: JUMP / SALTAR • 🐸 Frog Springs & 2-Foot Landings
Target Time 7-8 Mins
How to Jump (Step-by-Step Cues)
1
Bend & Load!
Bend knees deeply like coiled frog springs. Swing arms back!
2
Explode Off 2 Feet!
Push off both feet together and swing your arms up high toward the sky!
3
Motorcycle Landing!
Land softly on 2 feet, bend knees, and hold arms out like handlebars!
Choose Your Pathway (Pick 1 Each Round)
Pick: Straight, Curved, or Zig-Zag
Path A: Straight Recta
Jump forward across a straight row of 5 green lily pad spots.
Path B: Curved Curva
Jump along the rainbow curve around the center circle boundary.
Path C: Zig-Zag Zig-Zag
Jump diagonally into alternating hula hoops laid in a zig-zag pattern.
Visual Cues Flashcards IEP & ENL Visual Scaffolds • Tarjetas de Vocabulario y Movimiento
Locomotor Skills • Movimientos Locomotores
English / Español
🐴
GALLOP
GALOPAR (gah-loh-PAHR)
Lead Foot Skill
Step 1 • Paso 1
Front Foot Leads
Pie delantero al frente siempre
Step 2 • Paso 2
Back Foot Slides
Pie de atrás se desliza
Step 3 • Paso 3
Bounce & Ride!
¡Rebota con ritmo!
🐸
JUMP
SALTAR (sahl-TAHR)
2 Feet Takeoff & Landing
Step 1 • Paso 1
Bend Knees (Spring)
Dobla rodillas como resorte
Step 2 • Paso 2
Blast Up With 2 Feet
Despega con los dos pies
Step 3 • Paso 3
Soft Motorcycle Land
Aterriza suave en 2 pies
🏃
JOG
TROTAR (troh-TAHR)
Smooth Steady Pace
Step 1 • Paso 1
Eyes Look Ahead
Ojos mirando hacia adelante
Step 2 • Paso 2
Pump Bent Arms
Brazos doblados en ritmo
Step 3 • Paso 3
Control Your Speed
Controla tu velocidad
Instructional Tip: Hold up the icon cards when calling transitions. Pair ENL students with bilingual movement buddies for verbal modeling during station warm-up.
Visual Cues Flashcards • Physical Education Grade 1 Page 1 of 2
Spatial Pathways & Gym Safety • Senderos Espaciales y Seguridad
Pathways & Safety Visual Prompts
Cut-Out Ready
STRAIGHT
LÍNEA RECTA
Direct line from start to finish. No turning!
Like an Arrow 🏹
CURVED
LÍNEA CURVA
Smooth rounding bends like an arch or circle.
Like a Rainbow 🌈
ZIG-ZAG
ZIG-ZAG
Sharp diagonal corners and quick direction shifts.
Like Lightning ⚡
Visual Gym Routines & Safety Signals
🛑
FREEZE / ALTO
Hands on knees • Eyes on teacher
Manos en las rodillas • Silencio inmediato
🫧
SPACE BUBBLE / BURBUJA
Spread airplane wings wide
Espacio personal • Brazos de avión
Locomotor Assessment Observation Checklist Grade 1 PE Formative Assessment • NYS Standard 1 & 2
Locomotor Skills & Pathways Observation Checklist
Teacher: _________________
Date: _____________
Class/Sec: _______________
Period: ___________
3 Proficient (P)
Performs movement with mature cues consistently; navigates pathways accurately without collisions.
2 Developing (D)
Demonstrates basic pattern but needs verbal/visual cues; occasional trailing foot or stiff landing.
1 Emerging (E)
Struggles with movement mechanics; requires physical modeling, tactile spot guide, or hand support.
🐴 Gallop Cues Lead foot forward, step-slide, rhythmic bounce
🐸 Jump Cues 2-foot takeoff, soft motorcycle knee bend landing
🏃 Jog Cues Eyes forward, 90° arm pumps, controlled tempo
🗺️ Pathway Cues Straight line, curved arc, sharp zig-zag corners
Student Name Flag Gallop Jump Jog Straight Curved Zig-Zag Safety IEP / ENL Notes & Accommodations 1. IEP / ENL 2. IEP / ENL 3. IEP / ENL 4. IEP / ENL 5. IEP / ENL 6. IEP / ENL 7. IEP / ENL 8. IEP / ENL 9. IEP / ENL 10. IEP / ENL
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket ⭐
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
PE Grade 1
Name: ___________________
Date: ________
1. Circle your strongest movement today:
🐴
Gallop
🐸
Jump
🏃
Jog
2. Circle your favorite pathway:
Straight
─────►
Curved
╭───╮
Zig-Zag
╱╲╱╲
3. How was your movement energy?
🤩 Super!
😊 Good
🤔 Practicing
✂️ Cut along dashed lines
⭐
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
PE Grade 1
Name: ___________________
Date: ________
1. Circle your strongest movement today:
🐴
Gallop
🐸
Jump
🏃
Jog
2. Circle your favorite pathway:
Straight
─────►
Curved
╭───╮
Zig-Zag
╱╲╱╲
3. How was your movement energy?
🤩 Super!
😊 Good
🤔 Practicing
✂️ Cut along dashed lines
⭐
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
PE Grade 1
Name: ___________________
Date: ________
1. Circle your strongest movement today:
🐴
Gallop
🐸
Jump
🏃
Jog
2. Circle your favorite pathway:
Straight
─────►
Curved
╭───╮
Zig-Zag
╱╲╱╲
3. How was your movement energy?
🤩 Super!
😊 Good
🤔 Practicing
✂️ Cut along dashed lines
⭐
Pathway Pilot Exit Ticket
PE Grade 1
Name: ___________________
Date: ________
1. Circle your strongest movement today:
🐴
Gallop
🐸
Jump
🏃
Jog
2. Circle your favorite pathway:
Straight
─────►
Curved
╭───╮