Cookie Monster Tag Lesson Plan
PE Quick Plan Pre-K & Kindergarten
Cookie Monster Tag
Duration 10 Mins
Class Size 40 Kids
Skills Evasion • Listening
Gym Floor Layout Safe Zones
JAR A (Start) Yellow Line
CM 1
Center Circle (Chaser Area)
Black Line Coach Station
JAR B (Safe Goal) Yellow Line
Golden Rule: Cookie Monsters are never allowed inside either jar past the yellow line!
Equipment & Initial Setup
Equipment Needed:
- 10–12 cut foam pool noodles
- Yellow & Black gym floor lines
- Whistle / chime for freeze cue
40-Kid Launch:
- 1 student = first Cookie Monster
- 39 students spread on Jar A line
- Coach stations on sideline black line
Key Standards:
Spatial Awareness Listening Cues Safe Tagging
Core Game Rules & Chant Sequence
"Butterfly Touches" Only!
1 The Group Chant
Cookies yell in unison:
"Cookie Monster, are you hungry?"
Builds shared focus & voice.
2 Monster Response
If "YES!" → Run to other jar!
If "NO!" → Freeze! Do not move!
Tests active listening.
3 Tag & Sideline Walk
Tagged with soft noodle on shoulder.
Put hands in air & walk safely to Coach on the sideline black line.
Hands up = clear visual safe exit.
4 Wave Rejoin & Win
Coach hands 6–8 noodles between rounds. They join center taggers!
Last 2–3 cookies untagged win!
No sitting out; all keep playing!
Fast 10-Minute Running Schedule (40 Students)
Brisk transitions maintain focus
Min 0:00 – 2:00
Rules & Demo
Practice gentle butterfly touch & chant together.
Min 2:00 – 4:00
Round 1 (Speed Walk)
Walking only! Establishes safe yellow line boundary.
Min 4:00 – 6:30
Rounds 2–3 (Running)
Add 6-8 noodle taggers. Test "NO!" freeze cue.
Min 6:30 – 8:30
Round 4 (Locomotor)
Gallop or skip! Find final 2–3 cookie champions.
Min 8:30 – 10:00
Cookie Breath Cool-Down
"Smell warm cookies, blow to cool." Return noodles.
Students with Low Mobility
Ensure full participation, dignity, and high excitement:
- "Chief Cookie Baker" Role: Student guards the entrance of the safe jar with a noodle, tagging from a seated spot or wheelchair.
- Express Safe Corridor: Create a 5-ft side lane where movement is capped at a gentle walk for buddy pairs.
- Noodle Extension: Equip students with lightweight noodles to tag or be tagged without physical crowding.
Peer Buddy Strategy: Pair with a classmate who paces calmly alongside them.
High Energy & Staying Still Needs
Channel movement constructively during waiting pauses:
- Active Jar Stance: While waiting in the jar, children do the "Cookie Dough Stir" (slow marching) or arm circles instead of static freezing.
- Sideline Helpers: Students on the black line assist Coach with counting down noodle waves (e.g., "1, 2, 3, Go!").
- Visual Line Anchors: Poly spots along yellow line give children an explicit physical home base to wait at.
Impulse Cue: Practice the "NO!" trick—praise students who stop instantly on cue!
40-Student Safety Protocols
1. No Swings: Soft noodle touch below shoulders only. 2. No Jar Invasions: Monsters never cross yellow lines. 3. One-Way Traffic: Run only on "YES!"
Safety Debrief "Eyes Up, Gentle Hands!"
