Trail Training Lesson Guide Pre-K PE • Week 1
Trail Training Camp
Focus: Gym Expectations, Personal Space, Stop/Go, Walking Safely on Trails
Duration
30 Minutes
Equipment
• 1 Poly spot per student
• Stop/Go visual signs
• Cones for perimeter
• Music player & drum
Safety First
• "Hiking Bubble" rule
• Eyes looking forward
• Clean floor, no trips
• Soft landings (snail steps)
Key Cues
• "Glue your spots!"
• "Freeze like a tree!"
• "Hiking Bubble check!"
Lesson Timeline (30 Minutes)
Time Segment Description 0:00 - 0:05 Welcome & Bubble Set Find designated spot, introduce "Hiking Bubble" and expectations. 0:05 - 0:10 Warm-Up: Forest Snail Steps Gentle toe walks, dynamic reaches to wake up sleepy hikers. 0:10 - 0:20 Active Game: Trail Red Light Practice stop/go using "Forest Stop" visual sign & drum beats. 0:20 - 0:27 Skill Play: Mountain Trail Walk Following paths while walking safely, staying inside the trail lines. 0:27 - 0:30 Cool-Down & Review Breathing exercises (calm forest wind) and expectation check.
Gym Setup Layout
Trail Boundaries
Poly Spots scattered inside
Setup Instructions:
1. Place Poly Spots at least 6 feet apart to form a grid for landing bases.
2. Define the outer border with cones—this represents the Mountain Forest Boundaries.
3. Keep your visual STOP and GO signs handy at the front presentation zone.
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Step-By-Step Instruction
Mountain Trail Active Play
Scripts, Prompting Questions, and Progressive Modifications
0-5 MIN 1. Hiking Bubble Welcome
Expectations
Direct each student to sit cross-legged on a Poly Spot. Explain that their spot is their personal mountain camp.
Teacher Script: "Welcome hikers! Put your hands on your hips. Push them out—feel that giant invisible balloon around you? That is your Hiking Bubble. If we touch a friend, our bubble POPs! Can you keep your bubble completely safe today?"
5-10 MIN 2. Warm-Up: Sleepy Snails
Warm-Up
Wake up slow trail muscles. Reach high like tall pine trees, curl small like sleepy snails, and stretch long.
Teacher Script: "We are sleepy forest snails waking up. Show me your soft snail toes—walk very quietly on your spot! Now stretch your branches up high to touch the clouds. Now roll into a ball like a tiny rock! Safe in your bubble."
10-20 MIN 3. Red Light Mountain Game
Main Activity
Move on a slow steady drumbeat. Stop immediately when drum hits or the STOP sign shows.
Teacher Script: "Hikers, look at my signs! GO (Green) means walk safely on the forest trail. STOP (Red) means freeze instantly like a mountain pine tree! When I play the drum, let's wander... when I stop: FREEZE! Don't let your bubble pop."
20-27 MIN 4. Trail Hike Exploration
Skill Work
Guide children to walk along taped floor paths (mountain trails) using different animal models. Keep distance.
Teacher Script: "Now we walk the narrow mountain trails. Follow the line! First, let's walk slow like a heavy bear lumbering through the woods. Step... step... step. Keep your distance! Next, walk light like a deer. Quiet and soft."
Differentiating Play
Need help? Hold a partner pool noodle to maintain physical 3ft distance.
Need challenge? Switch directions instantly on double drum beats.
Reflective Questions
"How does our bubble protect our friends on the hiking trail?"
"What body parts help us stop immediately when we freeze?"
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Trail Station Signs TRAIL TRAINING STATION
🌲
🪵
GO!
Hike Safely on the Mountain Trail
👀 EYES ON THE TRAIL • 👣 SOFT SNAIL TOES
TRAIL TRAINING STATION
🐻
🐿️
STOP!
Freeze Instantly like a Mountain Pine Tree
🛑 ARMS STILL • 🛑 FEET GLUED TO THE DIRT
PERSONAL SPACE ZONE
HIKING BUBBLE
Keep Your Giant Trail Balloon Protected!
🤗 NO TOUCHING • ↔️ KEEP 3 STEPS AWAY
MOUNTAIN TRAIL
⛰️
🌲
STAY ON TRAIL
Follow the Painted Paths and Trail Lines!
🚶 WALKING ONLY • 🎒 KEEP YOUR BACKPACK SAFE
Trail Tracker Checklist Pre-K Observation Tool
Trail Tracker Checklist
Observe and score basic spatial awareness & cooperative hiking trail movement skills.
Unit: Hiking Adventures
Trail Guide (Teacher)
Class / Section
Date of Expedition
| Student Name | Hiking Bubble
Keeps 3ft Distance | Freeze Control
Stops Instantly | Safe Walk
Heel-Toes, Eyes Up | Follow Cues
Responds to Signs |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 1. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 2. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 3. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 4. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 5. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 6. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 7. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 8. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 9. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
| 10. | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ | ⭕ ⭕ ⭕ |
Observation Scoring Guide
⭐ (3) Hiker (Mastered)
Executes movement immediately with total space control, no collisions, and stays in boundaries.
🌱 (2) Scout (Developing)
Executes but with delays. Needs occasional verbal reminders to restore bubble spacing.
🥚 (1) Seed (Beginning)
Struggles to freeze or maintain spacing. Shows bumping or ignores trail lines.
Pre-K Physical Education Assessment Sheet • 1 Page
Trail Adventure Slides 🌲 🪵 🌲 🪵
Pre-K Physical Education
TRAIL
TRAINING CAMP
Become an expert mountain hiker! Learn how to walk safely on forest paths, freeze instantly, and protect your bubble.
WEEK 1: TRAIL READY
🐻 🦌 🐿️ 🦝
TRAIL RULES
How do real mountain hikers walk safely in the woods?
1. Ranger Ears
Stop moving and listen immediately when you hear the Ranger call.
2. Scout Eyes
Always keep your eyes looking forward to spot winding trails and roots.
3. Safe Body
Keep hands and backpacks to yourself. Stay safely in your personal space.
Unit: Hiking Adventures Slide 2
RULE NUMBER ONE
PROTECT YOUR BUBBLE!
Imagine a giant, invisible balloon around your body and backpack. This is your personal Hiking Bubble.
Keep 3 big steps of space from other forest hikers.
If you touch someone, your bubble POPS!
🎒
HIKING BUBBLE
No Popping Allowed!
Personal Space Concept Slide 3
GREEN MEANS
HIKE ON!
When you see the green card or hear the hiking tempo drum, walk safely down the mountain trail.
How to Move:
• Walk safely on your feet (no running yet!)
• Keep looking forward at the trail markings
WALK SAFETY
Active Signal Cues Slide 4
RED MEANS
FREEZE!
When you hear "FOREST FREEZE" or see the red STOP sign, turn instantly into a wooden tree statue!
How to Freeze:
• Turn into a solid pine tree statue
• Feet glued to the dirt
• Keep your branch arms completely quiet
FREEZE TREE
Active Signal Cues Slide 5
PRACTICE WALK
SLOW SNAIL TOES
Let's practice our slow, safe walking. Slide and step quiet like a slow snail moving over wet moss.
Snail Training Goal:
• Make absolutely zero sound with your steps
• Do not bump any trees (obstacles) or other hikers
🐌
SNAIL MODE
Super Slow & Completely Silent
Imaginative Movement Slide 6
RELAX & COOL DOWN
FOREST WIND BREATHS
Let's sit tall like ancient redwoods. Breathe in high through your nose, raising your hands to make giant branches... and blow out soft like a breeze in the leaves.
Trail Exit Ticket Formative Assessment Tool
Hiking Bubble Quick Check
A verbal & body feedback exit check. Hold this poster up and check student mastery as they exit the gym!
Feedback Format Verbal & Physical
How to use: As students line up to leave the gym, ask them these 3 fun questions. Instead of writing, they will show you their answers with their bodies! Keep track of mastery on your clipboard checklist.
1
Verbal Cue & Question
"Hikers, show me! How big is your Hiking Bubble?"
Expected Body Feedback
Students immediately push their arms out wide to make a circular "bubble" around themselves without touching friends.
🎒 Bubble Check
2
Verbal Cue & Question
"Where do your explorer eyes look when walking on trails?"
Expected Body Feedback
Students point to their eyes and then point straight forward, looking up alertly to indicate looking forward.
👀 Eyes Up
3
Verbal Cue & Question
"Ranger says: FOREST FREEZE! What do you do?"
Expected Body Feedback
Students instantly snap into a solid "Pine Tree Statue" pose—hands to side, feet glued, absolute silence.
🌲 Instant Freeze
Pre-K Physical Education Exit Quick Check • Page 1 of 1
Wilderness Chase Lesson Guide Pre-K PE • Week 2
Mountain Chase
Focus: Walking vs. Running, Fast vs. Slow Trails, Moving Forward/Backward Safely
Duration
30 Minutes
Equipment
• Scatter poly spots
• Deer & Snail signs
• Tall orange boundary cones
• Music playlist (fast/slow tracks)
Safety First
• Eyes look over shoulder when moving backwards
• Hands to side at all times
• Soft landings for fast runs
Key Cues
• "Fast Deer feet!"
• "Slow Snail toes!"
• "Beep-Beep Backup!"
Lesson Timeline (30 Minutes)
Time Segment Description 0:00 - 0:05 Review & Bubble Check Re-establish "Hiking Bubble" rule. Check scout ears. 0:05 - 0:10 Warm-Up: Fast & Slow Winds Wiggle fingers, arms, and neck on teacher's verbal drum tempo. 0:10 - 0:18 Activity 1: Deer vs. Snail Contrast slow walking with fast running inside gym boundaries. 0:18 - 0:26 Activity 2: Backing Up Beep-Beep Practice looking back and walking backwards safely. 0:26 - 0:30 Cool-Down & Mountain Breath Slow breathing, checking if bubbles remained un-popped.
Gym Setup Layout
Fast-Run Zone
🐌
Slow Lane
🦌
Fast Lane
Clear boundaries, no overlap
Setup Instructions:
1. Split the play area into two distinct zones using tape or cones: a Slow Snail Zone and a Fast Deer Zone.
2. Keep the center clear for the backward-walking safety exercise to avoid trips and bumps.
3. Put up the Deer Fast and Snail Slow signs on the corresponding walls.
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Step-By-Step Instruction
Mountain Chase Play
Scripts, Prompts, and Speed Controls
0-5 MIN 1. Re-check the Hiking Bubble
Expectations
Review spatial awareness from Week 1. Call on children to inflate their bubble.
Teacher Script: "Hikers! Blow up your bubble again—psshhhhh! Is it nice and round? Let's check: reach your arms wide. Today we are moving super fast, so we need to protect our bubbles even more! If we run into someone, our bubbles will pop!"
Wilderness Station Signs TRAIL SPEED ZONE
🦌
⚡
⚡
FAST DEER
Run safely and quick inside the big boundaries!
🏃♂️ HIGH SPEED • ↔️ KEEP BUBBLE SPACE
TRAIL SPEED ZONE
🐌
🌿
🌿
SLOW SNAIL
Walk slowly and quietly. Heavy, soft toes!
🚶♀️ SLOW TEMPO • 🤫 QUIET WALKING FEET
TRAIL DIRECTION
🌲
🎒
FORWARD
Eyes straight ahead. Step forwards down the trail.
👀 LOOK AHEAD • 🚶♂️ STRAIGHT TRAILS ONLY
TRAIL DIRECTION
🚨
🚨
BEEP BEEP BACKUP!
Look over your shoulders and step backwards slowly.
📣 MAKE TRACTOR SOUNDS • 👁️ LOOK BEHIND YOU
Wilderness Adventure Slides 🦌 🐌 🦌 🐌
Pre-K Physical Education
WILD MOUNTAIN
CHASE!
Week 2: Speed and Direction! Train your body to run quick like deers, slide slow like snails, and backup trail tractors safely.
WEEK 2: SPEED & DIRECTIONS
🦌 🐌 🚨 🏔️
SPEED CHALLENGE
Can you change your speed from fast to slow instantly?
🦌
DEER SPEED
Run as fast as you can inside the trail lines! Safe body, no bumps.
🐌
SNAIL SPEED
Walk slowly and super heavy. Heel-to-toe, completely quiet.
Unit: Hiking Adventures Slide 2
SPEED SAFETY
DEER RUNNING
Deers are fast forest runners, but they always keep their eyes open!
Only run inside the yellow boundary cones.
Keep your elbows tucked in close to your chest.
Be ready to freeze the moment the drum hits!
⚡
FAST & SAFE
Eyes Look Forward!
High Speed Management Slide 3
SPEED CONTRAST
SNAIL WALK
Snails move with careful, silent, sliding steps. We must slow our bodies down completely!
Step flat on your feet—heel to toe.
Keep your knees soft and bent.
Listen to the slow tick-tock of the trail drum.
🐌
SLOW & STEADY
Zero Sound Footsteps
Slow Speed Control Slide 4
DIRECTION CHANGE
BEEP BEEP BACKUP!
Can we move backwards safely without bumping? Yes, by acting like trail tractors!
How to Backup Safely:
• Turn your neck and look behind you!
• Step backwards super slowly (no running backward!)
• Make a backup tractor sound: "Beep! Beep!"
🚨
LOOK BEHIND
Make Your Backup Alarm Sound
Backward Movement Concepts Slide 5
ACTIVE PLAY GAME
FOREST FREEZE
The heavy bear is sleeping, and we must freeze like absolute wood statues when the Ranger says "FOREST FREEZE!"
Expedition Guidelines:
• Walk forward when the trail music plays
• If you hear the call: FREEZE instantly!
• Balance on one foot if you can!
🌳
STATUE MODE
Keep Completely Still & Quiet
Wilderness Exit Ticket Formative Assessment Tool
Mountain Chase Quick Check
A verbal & body feedback exit check. Hold this poster up and check student mastery as they exit the gym!
Feedback Format Verbal & Physical
How to use: As students line up to leave the gym, ask them these 3 fun questions. Instead of writing, they will show you their answers with their bodies! Keep track of mastery on your clipboard checklist.
1
Verbal Cue & Question
"Hikers, show me: How does a slow forest snail walk?"
Expected Body Feedback
Students lift and lower their feet in super-slow motion, landing softly on "snail toes" without making any stomping sounds.
🐌 Slow Control
2
Verbal Cue & Question
"How do we backup our trail tractors safely?"
Expected Body Feedback
Students look directly over their shoulders, make backing-up tractor sounds ("Beep! Beep!"), and take a slow step backwards.
👀 Safe Backup
3
Verbal Cue & Question
"Let's show a resting cave bear!"
Expected Body Feedback
Students take a deep quiet breath, put hands gently on their hearts, and let out a soft sigh, instantly showing calm bodies.
🐻 Calm Body
Pre-K Physical Education Exit Quick Check • Page 1 of 1