Safe Spotting Teacher Guide Safe Spotting
Teacher Guide • Lesson 1
Safety First
Mission Briefing
Students learn the foundational role of a spotter . In team building, a spotter is a teammate who stays focused and ready to catch or steady their partner. This lesson transitions students from "just playing" to "being responsible for a friend."
Equipment
Balance beams or lines
Cones
Safety Badge Worksheets
The Hook (5 mins)
"How do circus performers stay safe when they do dangerous tricks?"
Discuss the role of helpers. Introduce the word SPOTTER . A spotter is like a human safety net.
The Spotter's Stance (10 mins)
1. Feet Firm
One foot slightly forward for balance. Like a superhero base!
2. Hands Ready
Hands up, palms forward, elbows slightly bent. Do not touch yet!
3. Eyes Locked
Always watch your partner's waist/shoulders, not the floor.
4. Focus
No talking to other groups. Your partner's safety is #1.
Activity: The Tightrope Walk (20 mins)
Pair students. One is the Explorer , one is the Spotter .
Explorers walk along a "tightrope" (tape on floor or low beam).
Spotters walk alongside in the Spotter's Stance, following the Explorer's movement.
Switch roles after 3 crossings.
Challenge: Add "wobble spots" where Explorers must balance on one foot.
Closure (5 mins)
Ask: "When you were the Explorer, how did it feel seeing your partner's hands ready?"
Key Takeaway: A good teammate pays attention to keep others safe.
Safe Spotting Slides Safe Spotting
Safety Scouts: Mission 1
How do they do it?
Circus performers do amazing, dangerous tricks.
How do they stay safe?
The Spotter
A Spotter is a teammate who watches and is ready to help so no one gets hurt.
The Spotter's Stance
1
Strong Base
Feet apart, one foot forward.
2
Hands Ready
Hands up, palms forward.
3
Eyes On
Watch their shoulders!
4
Quiet Focus
Stay calm and silent.
Mission: Tightrope!
Partner A: Explorer
Walk the line and keep your balance.
Partner B: Spotter
Follow them in your stance. Stay focused!
Safety Scout Badge Worksheet Safety Scout Badge
Mission 1: Safe Spotting
Name
Date
1 Spotter Secrets
Circle the things a good spotter does:
Watches their partner
Talks to other friends
Keeps hands ready
Runs away to play
2 Action Pose!
Draw yourself in the Spotter's Stance. Don't forget your ready hands!
The Safety Scout Promise
"I promise to watch my teammate, keep my hands ready,
Scout Signature
Wind Willows Teacher Guide Wind in the Willows
Teacher Guide • Lesson 2
Group Support
The Mission
This activity scales up the trust from Lesson 1. Instead of one partner, a small group works together to support one student. The focus is on collective responsibility and the physical feeling of being supported by a community.
Key Safety Rules
NO SHOVING
FEET PLANTED
GENTLE PUSHES
HANDS AT CHEST LEVEL
1. The Hook (5 mins)
"When the wind blows hard, why don't big trees fall over?"
Explain that trees often have roots that tangle together. Today, we are the roots and the branches for each other.
2. Building the Willow Circle (10 mins)
Form groups of 6-7 students.
One student is the Swaying Tree in the middle.
Others form a tight, sturdy circle around them (the Willows ).
Willows stand in the Spotter's Stance (from Lesson 1) with hands up.
3. The Sway (20 mins)
The Swaying Tree:
Arms crossed over chest. Feet glued to the floor. Body stiff like a board. Gently lean back or forward.
The Willows:
When the tree leans toward you, gently catch them with two hands and push them softly back to the center. It should be a fluid, slow movement.
4. Discussion (5 mins)
"How did it feel when the whole circle supported you?"
"Willows, what happened if one person stopped paying attention?"
"Was it hard to keep your feet glued to the floor?"
Wind Willows Slides Wind in the Willows
Stronger Together
The Forest Secret
When big winds blow, trees don't fall.
They hold onto each other with their roots.
The "Swaying Tree" Pose
Feet Glued
Your feet are roots. Don't let them move!
Stiff Body
Stay straight like a board. No bending!
Arms Crossed
Tuck your wings in tight across your chest.
The Willow Circle
Safety Circle
Trust Challenge!
Can you close your eyes?
"When it is your turn to be the swaying tree...
Wind Willows Reflection Worksheet Swaying Tree Reflection
Mission 2: Wind in the Willows
Name
Date
My Willow Circle
Draw your group. Show the tree in the middle and the willows catching them!
How did it feel?
When I was the swaying tree, I felt .
I felt safe because my group .
The Trust-o-Meter
Color the leaves!
How much did you TRUST your willows to catch you?
A Little
A Lot
Super Trust!
Minefield Navigation Teacher Guide Minefield Mission
Teacher Guide • Lesson 3
Communication
The Objective
Students practice verbal trust . One partner is blindfolded (the Explorer) and must navigate an obstacle course using only the voice of their partner (the Navigator). This requires clear instructions and active, trusting listening.
Gear List
Blindfolds or sleep masks
Cones, balls, foam blocks
Hula hoops (Safe Zones)
1. The Setup (10 mins)
Scatter "mines" (soft objects) across a designated play area. Create a clear Start Line and a Finish Line .
Tip: Make the field dense enough to be tricky, but leave clear (if winding) paths.
2. Navigator School (10 mins)
Teach these specific verbal cues:
"Small step forward"
Better than just "Go."
"Turn toward the gym/trees"
Helps with orientation.
"FREEZE!"
Safety Word!
"Giant step over"
For navigating obstacles.
3. Navigating the Minefield (20 mins)
Pair students. Decide who starts as Explorer (blindfolded) and Navigator .
Navigators stand outside the minefield or walk alongside (without touching).
If an Explorer touches a mine, they must take 3 steps back and try again.
Switch roles once the Finish Line is reached.
4. Debrief (5 mins)
"Explorers, was it hard to not use your eyes?"
"Navigators, why was 'Freeze' the most important word?"
"How did you feel when you finally crossed the finish line?"
Minefield Navigation Slides Minefield Mission
Voice Navigation
In the Dark
Imagine you have to cross a floor full of obstacles...
...but you CANNOT see!
Who will guide you?
The Explorer & The Navigator
Explorer
Wears the blindfold. Listens closely. Moves carefully.
Navigator
Uses their voice. Keeps the Explorer safe. Spots the mines.
Use Your Navigator Words
Forward
"Take two small steps."
FREEZE!
Stop right now!
Turn
"Turn to the left."
Step Over
"High knees!"
Mission Tips
Minefield Maze Mapper Worksheet Minefield Maze Mapper
Mission 3: Minefield Navigation
Name
Date
1 Navigator Word Power
Which words help an Explorer stay safe? Circle them!
FREEZE!
Scream
Small Step
Run fast!
Turn Left
Clear Voice
2 Minefield Path
Draw a safe path from the Start to the Finish. Don't touch the mines!
Start
Finish
3 Mission Debrief
I trusted my partner's voice because .
Trust Circle Teacher Guide Sit Down Trust Circle
Teacher Guide • Lesson 4
Whole Group
The Challenge
This is the ultimate test of coordination and group trust . The entire class must work as one unit to create a self-supporting human chair. If one person moves too fast or too slow, the whole circle can wobble.
Safety Check
Ensure students:
• Are similar heights if possible
• Keep feet flat on floor
• Sit slowly on the count
• Don't grab the person in front
1. The Hook (5 mins)
"Can we build a giant chair using ONLY our bodies and no furniture?"
Explain that this chair is held together by trust . If you trust the person behind you, you can sit down safely.
2. The "Human Chain" Setup (10 mins)
Form a perfectly round circle.
Everyone turns to the RIGHT (facing the back of the person in front).
Step inward until the circle is very tight (everyone's toes should touch the heels of the person in front).
Place hands on the waist of the person in front (gently!).
3. The Big Sit (15 mins)
The Procedure:
On the count of 3, everyone sits down slowly onto the knees of the person behind them.
1... Ready
2... Steady
3... SIT!
If the circle breaks, laugh it off, reform, and try again! Ask: "What happened? Who sat too fast? Who didn't trust the chair?"
4. Discussion (10 mins)
"How did it feel when the whole class became one chair?"
"What happened when one person moved differently from the rest?"
"Why is listening to the count so important for trust?"
Trust Circle Slides Trust Circle
The Human Chair
Missing Furniture!
We need to sit down... but there are no chairs!
Can we use our classmates instead?
Step 1: The Sideways Turn
1 Make a big, round circle.
2 Everyone turn to the right.
3 Step in... closer... closer!
Heels to Toes
The Big Sit!
Wait for the Navigator's Count:
1
Ready
2
Steady
3
SIT!
Stronger Together
If you TRUST the person behind you, you won't be afraid to sit.
The whole circle is one big team!
Trust Circle Reflection Worksheet Stronger Together
Mission 4: Sit-Down Trust Circle
Name
Date
1 The Human Chair Feeling
How did you feel when you sat down on your friend's knees? Circle one!
Happy
Excited
Focused
Safe
2 Chair-Building Checklist
What did our class do to make the chair stay up? Check the boxes:
Listening for "3... SIT!"
Standing in a tight circle
Trusting the person behind us
Being very still
Our Giant Class Chair
Draw a picture of everyone sitting together in the trust circle!
Appreciation Walk Teacher Guide Partner Appreciation
Teacher Guide • Lesson 5
Reflection
The Finale
This final lesson shifts from physical action to emotional reflection . Students spend time thanking their partners and groups for keeping them safe. This cements the social-emotional learning of the entire sequence.
Outcome
A culture of safety and kindness in the PE classroom.
1. The Hook (5 mins)
"How can telling someone 'good job' make them a better teammate?"
Discuss how trust grows when we notice the good things our friends do.
2. The Appreciation Walk (20 mins)
The Activity:
Students pair up (use different partners than before if possible) and walk a slow "reflection trail" around the playground or gym.
Give them these "Talk Starters":
"I felt safe when you..."
"Thank you for helping me..."
"You are a great spotter because..."
"My favorite activity was..."
3. The Team Star (10 mins)
Return to the classroom. Each student fills out a Team Star Worksheet for a person they worked with during the week. They will present these stars to their peers at the end of class.
4. Closing Circle (5 mins)
Go around the circle. Each student shares one word that describes how they feel about their class after this sequence (e.g., "Safe", "Happy", "Strong").
Appreciation Slides Appreciation
The Celebration Walk
Our Trust Missions
Mission 1
Safe Spotting
Mission 2
Swaying Tree
Mission 3
Minefield
Mission 4
Human Chair
You did it all!
The Reflection Walk
Find a new partner. As we walk, talk about your missions:
"I felt safe when you..."
"Thank you for helping me..."
"My favorite game was..."
Walk & Talk
Trust Champions!
Congratulations!
You have proven that you are responsible, kind, and a great teammate.
Team Explorers Level Up!
Team Star Worksheet The Team Star Award
Mission 5: Final Reflection
Date
Trust Champion!
To:
(Partner's Name)
From:
(Your Name)
"You helped me stay safe by..."
Circle one thing your partner was Great at:
Watching
Speaking
Helping
Listening
I am a Trust champion!
