7 Steps to a Perfect PE First Day Back to School (+ FREE Lesson Plan)
PE Teachers – Do you dream of having the MOST PERFECT PE First Day Back to School Ever? With this simple 7 step lesson plan you can totally make that dream a reality!
Perfect PE First Day
This K-5 PE teacher plan is a simple way to create a smooth, super exciting, and very successful first day in the gym with your physical education students.
Filled with engaging ice breaker activities, classroom management tips, and an easy to teach and play tag game, this lesson plan guarantees your students leave on that PE first day feeling excited, confident, and ready to tackle an AWESOME year of PE fun.
Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. (or you can call me Jen) – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) K-12 PE teacher, blogger (Love 2 Teach and Learn) and author of 59 CRAZY FUN Elementary PE Games that ROCK!
I love teaching PE class because I get to spend time telling silly SPORTS JOKES and exercising, while laughing with my students.
I’m also on a serious mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN and I believe physical education class is the ABSOLUTE BEST WAY to do just that!
READY! SET! LET’S MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!
STEP #1: Teach Entrance Routine (5-6 Minutes)
STEP #1: TEACH AN ENTRANCE ROUTINE
If you are serious about having the best school year ever, you absolutely have to begin putting procedures and routines in place starting on Day #1. DO NOT WAIT!
Teaching an entrance routine on your PE First Day day is a MUST-DO because it helps elementary PE students know exactly where to go, what to do, and how to start class in a calm and organized way.
Think about and make a plan for:
- Where “exactly”do you want your students to go as soon as they step into the gym or PE class area?
- What “exactly” do you want your students to do while they are waiting for class to begin?
When kids learn this routine early, it saves time, reduces confusion, and makes it easier for the teacher to begin lessons quickly and safely.
It also sets clear expectations right away, which helps students feel confident and ready to have a successful PE class all year long.
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
- FIRST, I ask my students to quickly check and read over the daily PE Class Agenda and PE Learning Target Visuals that are posted on my whiteboard so they know what we are doing for the day. You can check out my agenda labels here.
- NEXT, after reading the agenda, I have my students line up quickly and quietly on the black end line in my gym and wait for the music to start.
- FINALLY, once students hear the music that is their cue to begin their walk/jog/skip one song warm-up. You can read more about my one song warm-up routine here.
STEP 2: Assign Student Numbers (5-6 Minutes)
STEP #2: ASSIGN STUDENT NUMBERS AND SQUAD SPOTS
Assigning student numbers on the first day of PE class is a game-changing PE teacher classroom management tip.
It gives elementary students a quick, easy way to identify themselves, follow directions, and transition smoothly during activities. Student numbers can honestly help a PE teacher in a million different ways like taking attendance, organizing line-up order, station rotations and so much more.
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
- FIRST, Using my class list and going in alphabetical order, I simply assign each student a “Magic Number” for the entire school year.
- THEN, the two main ways that I use those numbers are 1. Assign squad spots to students for group exercises and 2. Organize and keep track of my FITNESS STARS.
- FINALLY, you can learn more about how I organize my squad spots and fitness stars here.
STEP 3: Ice Breaker Activities (10-12 Minutes)
STEP #3: TEACH AN ENTRANCE ROUTINE
After assigning student numbers and squad spots I like to have some fun with a few ice breaker activities.
In my opinion icebreaker games and activities are another PE First Day MUST DO.
Ice breakers help kids feel comfortable, confident, and excited to participate right away. These also give the teacher a chance to build connections, learn names, and set a positive tone.
They also make the gym feel fun and welcoming, which can reduce nervousness and help create a successful PE classroom community from day one.
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
- FIRST, I gather my students and start with a light and fun Whole Group “Get to Know Me” Question like “What is your favorite ice cream flavor?” Allow each student to state their name and answer the question aloud. Here are 121 fun “Question of the Day prompts” for you to choose from.
- NEXT, I love to play a quick game of “SUMMER ACTIVITY BINGO” with my PE students. Simply pass out the Summer Activity Bingo Boards, along with pencils to your students. Then, give them 5-7 minutes to
STEP 4: Explain Rules and Expectations (4-5 Minutes)
STEP #4: EXPLAIN RULES AND EXPECTATIONS
I say K.I.S.S. (Keep it Simple Silly – LOL) On the first day of elementary PE class, it’s best to teach just a few simple rules instead of giving students a long list to remember – and then ultimately forget.
Young children learn best when directions are clear and easy to follow, so keeping expectations simple helps students stay focused, feel confident, and having fun while building positive classroom routines.
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
I keep it very simple and only have one rule for my PE students: RESPECT 4
- RESPECT YOURSELF
- RESPECT THE TEACHER
- RESPECT OTHERS
- RESPECT THE EQUIPMENT
*That pretty much covers it all!
STEP 5: Play Lightning Tag
STEP #5: PLAY AN EASY NO EQUIPMENT GAME LIKE LIGHTNING TAG
Including a simple, no-equipment tag game on the first day of elementary PE class is a great way to get students moving, laughing, and feeling comfortable in their new learning environment.
FUN TAG GAMES help children burn energy, build confidence, and make new friends in a low-pressure setting – all very important on your PE First Day!
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
“LIGHTNING TAG” works for me. It is the ultimate FAN FAVORITE physical education game loved by both PE teachers and K-12 students.
It’s perfect for combining fast-paced movement, laughter and even some much loved ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS!
I ALWAYS play this incredible game on my PE FIRST DAY with ALL of my physical education classes and here’s why:
- It’s Super Easy to TEACH, LEARN, and PLAY
- NO PREP and NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED to play this game
- It’s the perfect game and lesson plan to leave for a Substitute Teacher
- Makes a great RECESS GAME or FIELD DAY STATION ACTIVITY
- It is seriously LOVED by ALL K-12 PE Classes
Equipment Needed
You will need:
- A Bunch of Awesome Kids Ready to Have a TOTAL BLAST!
That’s it – NO EQUIPMENT NEEDED! How cool is that?
Easy Game Set-Up
Have all students line up along the outside perimeter of the gym (if you have a black line – students can stand anywhere on that) or playing area and wait for the game to begin.
How to Play: LIGHTNING TAG
When the music starts, or the game begins, a regular game of tag begins.
In Lightning Tag EVERYBODY is it!
When a student does get tagged they must:
- Sit down or take a knee
- Take note of who tagged them and watch that person closely
Then, as soon as the person who tagged them gets tagged and sits down, they can POP UP “lightning fast” and get right back into the tag game.
IMPORTANT RULE TO INCLUDE – If two students tag each other at the “exact” same time they should play “ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS” to determine who stays in the game and who sits down.
Game Teaching Tips
TIP #1: To keep this game moving “Lightning Fast” the teacher can shout out “LIGHTNING BREAK” at any time during the game when they notice that a bunch of kids are sitting down.
TIP #2: Since students are tagging with their hands, and not pool noodles in this game, be sure to remind them to tag gently and only on the shoulders or below.
TIP #3: I also play an elimination round version of this game and the kids absolutely LOVE IT.
For the elimination round instead of getting back in the game once they get tagged they must stay seated until you have one person left – The Lightning Champ!
Oh, one more thing… Don’t forget to play super fun, clean and upbeat music during your PE games. Here is my 117 song PE Playlist for you to check out.
STEP 6: Teach Clean Up Signal
STEP #6: TEACH CLEAN UP SIGNAL
Establishing a simple, consistent clean-up signal helps students know exactly when it is time to stop and start putting equipment away.
A familiar routine established from DAY #1 keeps transitions calm, saves valuable class time, encourages responsibility, and helps students end every PE class safely, organized, and ready to move on to the next part of their day.
Here are a few clean-up signal ideas for you:
- BLOW A WHISTLE
- TURN THE MUSIC OFF
- CALL OUT “FREEZE!”
- RAISE YOUR HAND AND HAVE STUDENTS COPY
- USE A CLEAN-UP SONG
- TURN THE LIGHTS OFF AND THEN BACK ON AGAIN
- SAY A CLASS PHRASE LOUDLY
- RING A BELL
- CLAP A PATTERN FOR STUDENTS TO REPEAT
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
I simply stop the music and blow my whistle 3 times at the end of class when it’s time for my students to immediately stop playing and begin cleaning up the gym.
It’s a consistent, super simple routine, and works perfect for both myself and my students.
STEP 7: Teach Dismissal Routine
STEP #7: TEACH DISMISSAL ROUTINE
Establishing a consistent dismissal routine helps students know exactly when it is time to slow down, calm their bodies, and line up quietly to return to their classroom.
A predictable end-of-class routine creates a safe, organized transition, encourages good behavior, and helps students leave PE class feeling positive, successful, respectful, and ready to learn.
Whatever your dismissal routine may be, just make sure it is consistent and that you teach it to your students on Day #1.
✅WHAT WORKS FOR ME:
I use a simple 5-Step Dismiss Routine:
- FIRST, I blow my whistle 3 times – students FREEZE, then clean up right away!
- SECOND, I have my students line up and meet me on the black line (the same black line that they started the class on)
- THIRD, I ask one quick whole group learning target PE recap Question based on what we learned during the day. The learning target that I use on the first day of PE with my students is: I CAN…Learn out PE class routines, try my best, have fun, and be a kind, confident, and safe teammate on my first day of PE.
- FOURTH, I always share a funny sports joke with my students that puts big smiles on their faces.
- FIFTH and FINALLY, I give each student a smile and a HIGH-FIVE as they walk out the door.
CLASS DISMISSED
YAY! You are now ready to have the most Perfect PE First Day EVER!
If you’re a PE Teacher, I’d love to connect with you. You can find me hanging out in all of these Amazing places.
Mrs. T’s “Always Growing” PE Games Bundle
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Hey – Thanks so much for stopping by today to check out my 7 Step PE First Day Plan.
I really appreciate it and I hope your day is filled with plenty of FUN and FITNESS.
Oh, and remember PE Friends… IF YOU HAD FUN, YOU WON!
