A playful Pre-K physical education unit developing foundational stability and body control through adventurous jungle themes. Progresses from static balance and motor braking to dynamic balance, traveling equilibrium, and obstacle pathways for early learners.
Walk along a straight tape line placing heel directly touching front toes. Keep wings spread wide and pace slow and deliberate.
🦛 Lane 2: The Hippo Stepping Stones Poly Spot Jumps
Step single-foot from poly spot to poly spot spaced 12–16 inches apart. Pause on each stone for 1 second before stepping forward!
🦀 Lane 3: The Riverbed Crab Shuffle Lateral Sidestep
Face sideways. Step along the line laterally: step, slide, step, slide without crossing ankles. Switch facing direction on return.
🐒 Lane 4: The Low Monkey Crawl Crouched Line Walk
Bend knees deep into a low crouching safari explorer walk. Stay balanced on the line with hands hovering ready for balance.
Culminating Game: "Sleeping Gator on the Riverbank" All 4 lanes cross at the same time. Teacher sits with back turned snoozing. When teacher rings the bell and turns around, students must freeze mid-stride on their current tape line or stone. First squad to cross silently without splashing wins the Jungle Ferry Badge!
4
Cool-Down & Guided Debrief: "Floating River Leaves"
0:23 – 0:30 (7 Mins)
Physical Transition (3 Mins)
Float arms gently up and down like leaves drifting in slow water currents.
Gradually slow steps down to a gentle sway, then settle criss-cross on poly spot.
Take 3 slow "River Breeze Breaths" (in through nose, out with gentle river whoosh).
Debrief Prompts for Pre-K (4 Mins)
Speed Control:"What happens if we try to run across a narrow log?" (We slip or wobble!)
Visual Focus:"Did looking straight ahead at the riverbank help you stay on the line?"
Self-Regulation: High-five your lane buddy for walking safely across the river!
Emerging: Frequently steps off line; rushes without control; flails arms. Developing: Walks line with 1–2 wobbles; maintains airplane arms; pauses. Proficient: Smooth heel-to-toe progression across full line with steady gaze.
River Crossing Lesson Plan • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
🌱 Level 1 (Starter) Step over flat tape marks on the floor with educator standing near.
⭐ Level 2 (Challenge) Step over raised obstacles (low ropes or foam blocks) without wobbling!
River Crossing Movement Cards • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
0:11 – 0:23 (12 Mins)
🐸 Lane 1: Bullfrog Leap Forward 2-Foot
Jump forward from pad to pad. Push off two feet and stick motorcycle landing on each pad before leaping to next.
🦗 Lane 2: Backward Cricket Backward 2-Foot
Heels near line. Bend knees, push backward 6–10 inches onto two feet. Keep eyes forward and arms wide!
🦘 Lane 3: Kangaroo Slalom Slalom Leaps
Spots staggered left/right. Jump forward diagonally across river trail: left, right, left with quiet spring landings.
🐒 Lane 4: Spring-Back Shuttle Forward & Back Combo
Jump forward onto spot, freeze, spring backward off spot to reset. Repeat 4 times before rotation.
Culminating Game: "Hungry Pelican Pond Jump" — Frogs scatter across pond spots. When teacher calls "Pelican Swoop!", every frog makes one big forward leap onto an open pad and freezes in a deep motorcycle stick. Frogs holding stillness without splashing win the Golden Frog Medal!
4
Cool-Down & Guided Debrief: "Resting Water Lilies"
0:23 – 0:30 (7 Mins)
Physical Transition (3 Mins)
Sit cross-legged on personal lily pad spot.
Reach arms up like blooming lilies, then curl toward toes.
Take 3 deep "Lily Pad Breaths" (in nose, soft puff out mouth).
Debrief Prompts for Pre-K (4 Mins)
Landing Shock:"Why do our knees bend when we land?" (To protect our legs and stop wobbles!)
Direction:"Was forward or backward jumping easier?"
Praise: Give your buddy 2 thumbs up for quiet landings!
All-Abilities Differentiation Matrix
Support & Modifications
Poly spots touching for 3–4 in. hop.
Two-hand educator assist for push.
Step-down practice from 2-in. mat.
Progression & Extension
Widen pad gap to 20–24 inches.
Add low tape line hurdle to clear.
Continuous 3 backward springs.
Sensory / Motor Planning
Rhythm call: "Squat... BLAST... STICK!"
Foot stickers on pads for alignment.
Textured foam pads for sole feedback.
3-Second Check:
Emerging: 1-foot takeoff; stiff legs on landing. Developing: 2-foot takeoff; lands on 2 feet with wobble. Proficient: Arm swing, 2-foot pop, quiet motorcycle stick.
Lily Pad Leap Lesson Plan • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
🌱 Level 1 (Starter) Step forward onto spot, freeze, then jump backward on two feet.
⭐ Level 2 (Challenge) Explosive jump forward, freeze 1 second, instant spring back onto line!
Lily Pad Leap Movement Cards • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
0:11 – 0:23 (12 Mins)
🦔 Station 1: Seated V-Straddle Seated Roll
Partners sit with legs wide in a 'V' shape. Roll ball back and forth inside the wide leg runway. Trap with two hands.
🐊 Station 2: Crocodile Trap Challenge Soft 2-Hand Stop
Partner A rolls with gentle pace. Partner B must trap ball before it touches their body using two flat hands on floor.
🦒 Station 3: Giraffe Tunnel Gate Tunnel Target
Partner A stands tall with legs wide like a giraffe. Partner B rolls ball cleanly through the leg tunnel from 6 feet away.
🐒 Station 4: Standing Step & Roll Underhand Roll
Both stand on spots. Step forward with opposite foot, bend down low, and roll ball smoothly across to partner's sneakers.
Culminating Game: "The Coconut Express Relay" — All 11 pairs sit or kneel on spots facing each other. On teacher's whistle, pairs roll their coconut back and forth continuously. Pairs count aloud together: "One, two, three..." Can your pair reach 10 rolls without a single runaway coconut escaping into the jungle?
4
Cool-Down & Guided Debrief: "Sleeping Armadillos"
0:23 – 0:30 (7 Mins)
Physical Transition (3 Mins)
Sit criss-cross on poly spot holding ball gently in lap.
Slowly roll ball over knees, shins, and back to stomach.
Take 3 deep "Coconut Breaths" (in through nose, slow soft exhale).
Debrief Prompts for Pre-K (4 Mins)
Speed Control:"What makes the ball easier for your partner to catch?" (Rolling gently right to their hands!)
Eye Contact:"Did looking at your partner help you roll straight?"
Gratitude: Give your partner a high-five and say: "Great rolling!"
All-Abilities Differentiation Matrix
Support & Modifications
Shorten distance to 3 feet apart.
Use a larger 10-inch tactile foam ball.
Place pool noodles on floor as side bumpers.
Progression & Extension
Widen distance to 8–10 feet.
Roll through narrow 12-inch cone gate.
Use smaller 6-inch rubber ball.
Sensory / Motor Planning
Verbal rhythm: "Ready... swing... ROLL!"
High-contrast colored ball on floor.
Bell ball or textured grip ball for auditory cues.
3-Second Check:
Emerging: Throws or bounces ball; rolls off target; lets ball roll past. Developing: Rolls ball along floor with occasional bounce; traps with 2 hands. Proficient: Smooth low pendulum release right to partner's hands; traps cleanly.
Coconut Rollers Lesson Plan • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
"Laser Eyes on Cone • Low Swing • Direct Jungle Hit!"
🌱 Level 1 (Starter) Roll at 2 soft cones set wide apart from 4 feet distance.
⭐ Level 2 (Challenge) Knock down a single center mini-cone from 8 feet away! Partner sets it back up.
Coconut Rollers Movement Cards • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
🐻 Station 1: The Bear Paw Ground Trap Rolling Ground Trap
Partner rolls ball softly along floor. Receiver kneels low with two hands flat on floor, pinkies touching, trapping ball cleanly.
🐯 Station 2: Drop, Bounce & Trap Self Drop-Trap
Each learner holds ball with two hands at chest height. Drop ball, let it bounce ONCE, and trap with both open paws at tummy level!
🐊 Station 3: The Crocodile Jaw Clamp Top-Bottom Clamp
Partner rolls ball. Receiver positions one hand over the top and one under the bottom, snapping gently shut like alligator jaws!
🦦 Station 4: The Clam-Catch Pillow Toss-and-Trap
Partner tosses soft beanbag or foam ball underhand at chest level. Receiver cushions object with two open hands against chest.
Culminating Game: "The Great River Trap Swamp" — Learners stand in their assigned dens. The teacher and 2 helpers roll 4 soft foam balls across the center river channel. When a ball enters a pair's sector, the designated trapper shouts "TRAP!", scoops the ball with two paws without letting it get past, and gently rolls it back!
4
Cool-Down & Guided Debrief: "Sleeping Bear Cubs"
0:23 – 0:30 (7 Mins)
Physical Transition (3 Mins)
Cubs curl up cross-legged on spots holding ball in lap.
Press hands gently into ball like resting on a pillow.
Take 3 slow "Bear Snooze Breaths" (deep in nose, soft sigh out).
Debrief Prompts for Pre-K (4 Mins)
Paw Position:"Why do we keep our fingers open wide when trapping?" (Bigger basket catches the ball!)
Visual Focus:"Did keeping your eyes on the ball help you catch it before it bounced away?"
Praise: High-five your partner's paws for great trapping!
All-Abilities Differentiation Matrix
Support & Modifications
Use a lightweight chiffon scarf or slow balloon.
Trapping against a wall or gym mat backstop.
Use oversized 10-inch foam ball.
Progression & Extension
Trap while moving 2 steps forward to meet ball.
Trap smaller tennis ball or beanbag.
Partner rolls ball slightly to left or right.
Sensory / Motor Planning
Tactile sensory knobby ball for grip awareness.
Verbal cue rhythm: "Eyes... Paws... TRAP!"
Contrasting colored tape on floor trap zone.
3-Second Check:
Emerging: Closes eyes; swats ball away with fists; misses moving ball. Developing: Traps ball against chest/body with 2 hands after a bounce. Proficient: Reaches with 2 open hands, tracks ball, traps softly without body collision.
Paw Trappers Lesson Plan • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
🌱 Level 1 (Starter) Stand on spot, wait for ball to come into reach, trap with 2 paws.
⭐ Level 2 (Challenge) Take 2 quick forward steps to cut off and trap ball before it reaches line!
Paw Trappers Movement Cards • Pre-K Physical Education Page 2 of 2
