A complete kindergarten physical education curriculum covering the seven foundational locomotor movements. Each lesson provides substitute-ready scripts, movement games, skill breakdown cues, and management tips.
Printable Gallop Champion Badges (Cut & Award) Hand out at dismissal or stick on shirts!
Gallop Champion
"I kept my lead foot in front and moved with light pony feet!"
Star Pony: _______________________
Pony Trail Pro
"My back foot never passed my front foot today!"
Star Pony: _______________________
Super Stepper
"I faced forward and galloped tall and proud!"
Star Pony: _______________________
Lightfoot Pony
"Soft landings and quiet hooves all class long!"
Star Pony: _______________________
Kindergarten PE Locomotor Curriculum • Gallop Cues Unit Resource
Catch & Release:
Lost your tail? Gallop to any tail on the floor, tuck it in, and rejoin!
Keeps all kindergarteners continuously active and moving!
Sub Script Reminder: If students sprint during Catch a Tail, yell: "Pony gallop only! Captain foot in front—let me hear those soft pony hooves!"
Lesson Flow Continued
SPARK Games, Troubleshooting & Cool-Down
Minutes 16–30
3 Part 2 Continued: SPARK It Up! "Hoop Groups Tournament" (9 Mins)
Team Galloping
Place 4 different colored hula hoops in the four corners: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow. Divide the class into 4 corner teams:
Phase A: "Re-Tail Sale" (4 Mins)
When you catch a tail, gallop it over to ANY corner hoop and set it inside. If your tail is pulled, gallop to any hoop to "buy" a new tail and rejoin the game!
Phase B: "Hoop Groups Challenge" (5 Mins)
Teams gallop into center meadow to collect tails from OTHER teams (1 at a time) and bring them back to their home hoop! When music stops, count which team collected the most tails!
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Child runs fast instead of galloping "Ponies only gallop! Front foot stays boss—don't switch feet like running!"
Child holds tail with hands or lies down "Hands free! No guarding—use light gallop dodges to keep your tail safe!"
Crashing into other students "Headlights up! Keep your eyes looking forward into open green grass!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection Questions (5 Mins) SPARK Debrief
Pony Breathing & Heart Rate Check:
Students return to home dots and sit criss-cross. Place hand on heart: "Can you feel your heart thumping fast like galloping pony hooves?" Take 3 slow deep breaths, blowing out softly.
Reflection & Thumbs Up Check:
1. "What gallop tricks did you use to dodge other ponies?"
2. "What other fun activities make your heart beat this fast?"
3. Thumbs Up Check:"Thumbs up if your lead foot stayed in front the whole 30 minutes!"
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Day 2 • Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
Tail Catching Stars (Galloped with Clean Form):
Students Needing Pacing / Gallop Form Reminders:
Lay poly dots or hula hoops across the gym floor like lily pads:
Two-Foot Takeoff Both feet leave their lily pad at the exact same instant!
Arm Wings Swing arms forward to help launch body to next pad!
Sticky Landing Land inside the pad with bent knees, freeze for 2 seconds.
B Activity 2: "Space Rockets 3-2-1 Blast Off!" (8 Mins)
High Energy Game
1. Students crouch low on their spots: "T-minus 3... 2... 1... BLAST OFF!"
2. On "BLAST OFF!", they explode straight up, swinging arms to the ceiling.
3. They must stick the landing quietly on the balls of their feet like a rover landing on the moon without tipping over.
4. Teacher cue: "Did you land like a loud boulder or a quiet cat? Soft knees!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Landing flat-footed with loud crash "Squish the marshmallow! Land on your bouncy toes and bend your knees!"
Taking off on one foot (leaping instead) "Glue your two shoes together! Both feet blast off like twin rockets!"
Arms staying glued to sides "Swing those wings! Your arms give you superpower flying strength!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Students sit criss-cross on their spots. "Touch your knees if you remembered to bend them when you landed!" Take 3 calm rocket breaths to slow down heart rates.
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
Super Jumpers (Soft 2-Foot Landings):
Need Practice (Landing Stiff / 1 Foot):
B Activity 2: "Beanbag Island Rescue" (8 Mins)
Partner / Group Fun
1. Scatter colorful beanbags in the center circle ("The Island").
2. Students hop on one foot from the boundary line to pick up ONE beanbag.
3. They switch hopping legs and hop backward to their home spot.
4. Teacher shout cue: "Airplane wings out! If you feel wobbly, spread your wings!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Non-hopping foot drags or touches "Tuck that bird foot high behind you! Pretend floor is hot lava!"
Stiff straight leg on landing "Bend that knee! Like a squishy marshmallow so your body is safe!"
Arms tucked into chest/pockets "Spread airplane wings! Wide wings keep you from tipping over!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Sit criss-cross. Massage your calves and ankles with gentle pats. Ask: "Which foot was your best hopping foot today? Left or Right?"
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
Flamingo Stars (Maintained 1-Foot Balance):
Need Practice (Foot Dropping / 2-Foot Jumping):
Slide Left Slide back to center. Left foot leads without spinning body!
Crab Defense Hands out wide like crab claws. Never cross feet over!
B Activity 2: "Mirror Mirror on the Wall" (8 Mins)
Teacher-Led Reaction
1. Stand at center court facing the class. Students are your reflection.
2. When you slide right, students slide to mirror you.
3. When you slide left, students immediately slide in the opposite direction.
4. Teacher shout cue: "Keep looking at me, but keep your chest facing front! Don't turn into a runner!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Child crosses back foot over front foot "Never cross your feet! Your feet are magnets that repel each other!"
Turns chest forward and runs forward "Keep your tummy pointing at the side wall! Slide like a sideways crab!"
Standing completely straight/stiff "Sink down! Bend those knees like you are sitting on a tiny stool!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Sit in butterfly stretch (soles of shoes together). Flap knees gently. Ask: "Why do we keep our knees bent when we slide?" (To stay balanced and move fast!).
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
Crab Slide Champions (Clean Sideways Form):
Need Practice (Crossed Feet / Turned Torso):
B Activity 2: "Canyon River Crossing" (8 Mins)
Continuous Movement
1. Form 2 parallel rope lines across the floor (start 1.5 feet apart, widen slightly down the gym).
2. Students take turns leaping across the "river" from one side to the other without touching the water.
3. They choose their comfort width (narrow shallow end or wider deep end).
4. Teacher shout cue: "Arms reaching out! Land on the other foot like a quiet deer!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Landing on the same takeoff foot "That's a hop! Switch feet in the air: push on Left, land on Right!"
Stopping dead right before the puddle "Don't stop! Keep moving smoothly and push off in stride!"
Legs staying tucked/bent in air "Stretch those legs wide like scissors opening up across the puddle!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Sit criss-cross. Stretch one leg straight out in front and reach for toes (switch legs). Ask: "Who felt like they were flying like a deer today?"
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
Star Leapers (True 1-to-Opposite Flight):
Need Practice (Landing on Same Foot / Stuttering):
B Activity 2: "Skipping Sunshine Lanes" (8 Mins)
Lane Traversal
1. Create 4 lanes across the gym width using cones.
2. In small waves of 4 students at a time, skip down the lane to high-five the assistant/cone and skip back.
3. Focus on lifting the front knee high on each hop.
4. Teacher shout cue: "Lift that knee! Step-hop, step-hop, smooth like butter!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Child is galloping (same foot always in front) "Give your other foot a turn! Step-hop on Right, now step-hop on Left!"
Child is fast marching with no hops "Add the tiny bounce! Step and make that same foot do a little pop!"
Stiff arms glued to body "Swing arms opposite to your knees like you are singing a happy song!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Sit on dots. Clap hands together in slow step-hop rhythm: "Step... Hop... Step... Hop..." Take 3 deep calming breaths.
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
True Skippers (Alternating Step-Hop):
Need Rhythm Practice (Galloping or Marching):
Gear 1: Jog Slow, controlled jog. Focus on head up and soft foot landing.
Gear 2: Turbo Run Medium fast! Pump arms from pocket to chin to gain speed.
Gear 0: Brake Freeze Immediate balanced stop with bent knees! No tumbling!
B Activity 2: "Curved Cone Slalom Dash" (8 Mins)
Agility & Strides
1. Form 3 relay lanes with 4 cones spaced 8 feet apart down the court.
2. Students take turns running and weaving around each cone, turning around the end cone, and running straight back.
3. Emphasize keeping head up to see where each cone is located.
4. Teacher shout cue: "Pump those arms around the turns! Eyes ahead, stay on your toes!"
Quick Troubleshooting for Kindergarteners
What You See (Common Error) What to Say & Correct
Head down looking at shoes "Turn on your headlights! Chin up, look forward at the target!"
Arms flailing side-to-side across chest "Pocket to chin! Pump arms straight forward and back, like train wheels!"
Crashing into walls or cannot stop "Use your toe brakes! Bend your knees and slide into a balanced stop!"
Part 3: Cool-Down & Reflection (5 Mins) Reflection
Slow walking lap with deep breaths, blowing out imaginary birthday candles. Sit on spots: "Place your hand on your heart—feel how strong your running engine is beating!"
Substitute / Assistant Notes for Regular PE Teacher Date: ______________ | Sub Name: ___________________________
