A comprehensive physical education unit for the first weeks of school, focusing on establishing solid daily routines, teaching safety rules, and practicing self-regulation using the Gym Reset System. It sets primary elementary students up for a safe, structured, and active year.
Action: Bring students' focus to the day's physical theme. Week 1 is all about Spatial Awareness and Locomotor Movements (skipping, sliding, galloping, and dodging). Demonstrate the specific verbal and physical cues.
"Skipping cues: Step-hop, step-hop! Drive your opposite knee high to the sky. Watch my head - is my gaze looking forward to keep myself safe? Yes!"
06
Phase 6: Skill Practice (10 Minutes)
Action: Send students to their practice stations in partners. Provide colored cones to mark boundaries. Students practice skipping, sliding, and dodging each other inside their assigned mini-grids. Keep dynamic feedback flowing! Use Whistle Code 1 (1 Short Blast) to pause action and check posture.
07
Phase 7: Active Gameplay (10 Minutes)
Action: Transition immediately into active gameplay (e.g., "Runway Tag"). Use Whistle Code 2 (2 Short Blasts) to signal rounds starting.
08
Phase 8: Cool-Down & Connection (5 Minutes)
Action: Sound Whistle Code 3 (3 Short Blasts) - gather students back on their learning spots. Sit criss-cross. Conduct a 2-minute S.T.A.R. breathing exercise (Smile, Take a deep breath, And Relax) to regulate brains and hearts. Follow with a storytelling debrief.
COACH KOKE'S MANAGEMENT SECRETS
⏰ Pacing is Everything
Use a loud, clear, visual gym timer. When the timer shows the 3-minute line walk is down to 0, blow 3 short blasts! Primary students love competing against the clock. Aim for under 15 seconds.
🤝 Restorative Modeling
If a student is struggling with the transition (running instead of walking, touching others), stop the group, invite that student to model the correct behavior, and let the group celebrate them.
Electric Whistle Command System
Integrate the Whistle Code Chart: Drill 1 Blast (Freeze body & equipment) and 2 Blasts (Go/Transition) during the skill practice. Use 3 Blasts for clean-up and 1 Long Blast as a full emergency drill. Keep response times under 3 seconds!
Routine Runway Teacher Guide • Page 2 Physical Education Foundations Unit Coach Chad Koke, PE
1 Stay on pocket spot.
2 Walk nicely in gym.
3 Freeze on whistle.
4 Listen / don't argue.
5 Respect gear & props.
6 If mad, tell Coach.
7 Wear gym tennis shoes.
Active Play!
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 6 of 15
Why Rules Exist Rule Rangers
Why Do We Have Gym Rules?
First, rules keep us safe!
"My job is to keep you safe... your job is to keep it that way!"
And when we are safe, rules protect our playtime! 🚀
When everyone follows the playbook, games run continuously, equipment doesn't break, and nobody gets hurt. That means we spend all our time playing, not waiting!
THE RULES FORMULA
🩹
Safety: Zero accidents mean we keep running and active!
⚖️
Fairness: Everyone gets to score, throw, and pass!
⏱️
Speed: Quick resets give us 10+ extra game minutes!
More safety = More play!
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 7 of 15
Boundary Zones Rule Rangers
Where can we run? Know Your Lines!
The gym is huge, but we must play inside our designated safety borders. If you run past the black boundaries or near the equipment doors, you are out of play!
Green Zone (Active Play Area)
Inside the solid boundary lines. Safe, active, open space.
Red Zone (Out-of-Bounds & Safety Risk)
Close to bleachers, stage steps, main entry doors, or closets. No running here!
Line Patrol Drill
Let's check our spatial bubbles
🙋♂️ Arm Check: Extend your arms flat to both sides. Can you touch anyone? If yes, slide over!
👀 Line Check: Find the closest boundary line with your eyes. That line acts as your safety forcefield!
Remember: Lines protect, borders keep us active!
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 8 of 15
Class Management Rule Rangers
The Gym 3-Strike System
To ensure everyone stays safe and active, we use a simple restorative system. If we violate safety borders or active expectations, we trigger a step:
Our goal is always restorative. We want you back playing safely as soon as your brain and body are ready!
1
Strike One: Warning & S.T.A.R.
A friendly reminder from Coach. Take a deep breath to refocus.
2
Strike Two: Gym Reset Station
Move to the Reset table. Fill out your grade's Reset Sheet.
3
Strike Three: Play Out & Conference
Sit out. Fill out Parent Form and have counselor/parent chat.
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 9 of 15
Reset Stage 1 The System
1
STRIKE ONE
If we struggle with safety, respect, or responsibility during class, Coach will give a warning.
I was struggle-regulating.
I receive a supportive redirection.
Coach reminds me of the expectation.
Goal: Refocus & keep playing safely!
The Action Plan:
1
Listen quietly to Coach's reminder.
2
Adjust behaviors instantly (bubble up!).
✓
Immediately rejoin class gameplay.
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 10 of 15
Reset Stage 2 The System
2
STRIKE TWO
If the unsafe behavior continues, it triggers Strike Two. It is time for a visual pit-stop.
I walk quietly to the Reset Station.
I select a deep breathing exercise.
I complete a grade-level reflection sheet.
Goal: Reflect, restore, and plan!
The Action Plan:
1
Take S.T.A.R. breaths at the table.
2
Write/Draw what happened & plan solution.
3
Review sheet with Coach and agree.
✓
Rejoin the game safely.
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 11 of 15
Reset Stage 3 The System
3
STRIKE THREE
If rules are broken a third time, we must play out. This is a severe boundary issue.
I sit the bench to reflect on my actions.
I complete the Strike Out Parent Form.
Coach sends a message home to my family.
Goal: Full body safety & reset conference.
Restorative Steps:
1
Sit the bench safely for the rest of class.
2
Complete parent report detailing actions.
3
Restorative conversation with parents/office.
✓
Fresh start next gym class!
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 12 of 15
Self-Regulation Rule Rangers
🔄
A Pit Stop, Not a Punishment!
Just like a racecar pulls into the pit-stop to change flat tires, we step into the Reset Station to fix our feelings and get our brains back in the zone.
Goal: Regulate & Return!
🔄 The Reset Station
How to Use the Gym Reset
If you receive Strike 2, or if you feel angry, frustrated, or tired, you can voluntarily walk to the gym table. Follow these steps:
A
Sit down and choose your breathing style (S.T.A.R. breathing).
B
Identify your Brain State using the sheet (Survival, Emotional, or Wise).
C
Draw or write what happened, make a plan to play safely, and hand it to Coach.
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 13 of 15
Brain Connection Rule Rangers
🧠 Conscious Discipline
What is my Brain State?
When we feel big feelings, our brain functions in different levels. Our goal is to get back to the Wise/Executive State so we make safe decisions!
How to level up your brain state:
When you're mad or scared, you can't learn or play. Taking a STAR breath signals to your nervous system that you are Safe. That shifts you to the thinking brain!
Calm, smart choices, ready to solve problems and play.
Unit 1: Gym Foundations Slide 14 of 15
Week 2 Challenge Rule Rangers
SAFETY CHALLENGE
Are We Ready to be Rule Rangers?
Let's work together to keep our gym safe. Remember: boundaries protect us, rules guide us, and resets help us grow!
Respect Boundaries
Encourage Others
STAR Breathe
Instructor Check-In
Let's prove our Safety Patrol credentials today!
PLAY WITH HEART, STAY SAFE!
Day Breakdown
04
Phase 4: Game & Boundary Tag (15 Minutes)
Action: Play "Boundary Tag." Safe zones are marked inside the green/black lines. If a player touches a red zone (e.g. wall, stage steps), they must stop, perform 3 S.T.A.R. breaths on the line, and re-enter.
05
Phase 5: Dry-Run Reset Training (5 Minutes)
Action: Conduct a fun "dry-run" training simulation. Have two peer volunteers model a scenario where one player gets frustrated or is playing too wildly. Walk them through Strike 1 (STAR breath), Strike 2 (completing the Kinder/1st/2nd/3rd Grade Reset sheet at the table), and restorative return-to-play agreement.
06
Phase 6: Cool-down, Breathing & Story (5 Minutes)
Action: Whistle blows - gather students back on their learning spots near the bleachers. Conduct S.T.A.R. breathing exercises and read an interactive short story about a Ranger who learned to calm their body in an active playground.
CONSCIOUS DISCIPLINE BRAIN TIPS
🧠 Identify the State first
When a child is in Survival (fight/flight) or Emotional State (yelling/crying), they cannot process logical lessons or parent rules. Do not argue. Guide them to S.T.A.R. breathe first.
🔄 Restorative Return
The goal of the Reset station is a speedy, safe return to play. Review the sheet, say "I see your plan. I believe in you!" and send them back with a high-five.
Assessment & Follow-Up Worksheet
Hand out the Safety Patrol Worksheet at the end of Week 2. It assesses whether students can differentiate safe vs. unsafe behaviors, align the three core pillars, and trace the S.T.A.R. breathing path.
Rule Rangers Teacher Guide • Page 2 Physical Education Foundations Unit Coach Chad Koke, PE
2
I will change my behavior to make sure that I am being safe, respectful, and responsible.
I will rejoin the class.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION expectation series Mr. Koke's Gym
Reset Stage 2
STRIKE TWO
2
My Action
I was struggle-regulating during class:
I was not being safe.
I was not being respectful.
I was not being responsible.
My Plan
Steps to restore and return:
1
I will receive a warning from my teacher.
2
I will fill out a reflection sheet based on my grade level and give it to my teacher.
3
I will change my behavior to make sure that I am being safe, respectful, and responsible.
I will rejoin the class.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION expectation series Mr. Koke's Gym
Reset Stage 3
STRIKE THREE
3
My Action
I was struggle-regulating during class:
I was not being safe.
I was not being respectful.
I was not being responsible.
My Plan
Immediate and restorative steps:
1
I will receive a warning from my teacher.
2
I will sit the bench to reflect on my actions for the remainder of class.
3
I will change my behavior to make sure that I am being safe, respectful, and responsible.
4
Message home.
5
I will go to the office for extreme behavior.
PHYSICAL EDUCATION expectation series Mr. Koke's Gym
05 / 05
Prefrontal Cortex (Frontal Lobe)
Key Question:
"What Can I Learn?"
When safety and connection are secure, the thinking brain turns on. We can now self-reflect, collaborate, make choices, and solve problems.
! What It Looks Like in Gym
Cooperating on teams and passing the ball to teammates
Accepting referee decisions and playing safely
Using the Gym Reset Sheet to reflect on mistakes
✓ How to Coach This State
Ask: "What is your plan to play safely?"
Empower choices: "You can try again or help cheer"
Praise the effort: "I noticed how you passed to open teammates!"
Gym Reset System Goal: Reflect and Take Responsibility
