50 Minute K-5 PE CLASS SCHEDULE that Totally ROCKS!

Looking for an elementary PE Class Schedule that keeps students energized, learning, and having a TOTAL BLAST from start to finish?

Discover this Easy to Follow, Action-Packed, 50 Minute K-5 routine that will be LOVED by both PE Teachers and Students!

K-5 PE Class Schedule

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”) and K-12 PE teacher who is on a mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN!

I’ve taught kindergarten, third grade, sixth grade and then finally landed in physical education.

And, I gotta say – PE is definitely my favorite place to be!

I’ve been using this tried and true 50 Minute Elementary PE Class Schedule for many years now – and I LOVE IT and I think you will too!

READY! SET! LET’S GO!

Let’s dive into the physical education routine that will help you optimize every minute so your students maximize movement, fun, and fitness from the first to the last whistle!

RUN/WALK WARM-UP (3-4 Minutes)

I begin each PE class by choosing an upbeat song from my “Clean” PE Music PLAYLIST.

As the students enter the gym they place their water bottles in their cubby and immediately begin walking or running around the gym in a counter-clockwise direction.

Students then run, walk, or skip for the entire length of one song. When the song ends that signals to the students that warm-up time is over and they should prepare for group exercises to begin.

Warm-Up Tips

Here a few quick tips to make your Warm-Up time run smoothly.

• COUNTER-CLOCKWISE – It’s very important to stress that all students must move in the same counter-clockwise direction to avoid injury.
• STAY ON THE OUTSIDE LINES – It’s helpful if you have your students stay close to the outside rectangle or perimeter of the gym – NO CUTTING across the gym.
• HOLDING HANDS -I do allow kids to hold hands during warm-up if they want to. However, they can only hold hands if they are walking and I don’t allow more than two in a group.
• BASKETBALL DRIBBLING – After teaching my basketball unit I give my third through fifth grade students the option of dribbling a basketball during the warm-up song. They must move in the same counter-clockwise direction as the rest of their classmates and there is absolutely NO BASKETBALL SHOOTING during warm-up time. My older PE students love this and its also a really fun way to help them improve their dribbling skills.

Using music to begin gym class sets a positive and energetic tone and gets kids ready to learn and play!

GROUP EXERCISES & STRETCHES (5 Minutes)

Next, I move right into group exercises and stretches with my students and this is where I announce who the “FITNESS STAR” is for the day.

Having a FITNESS STAR for each class period is a great classroom management tool and it also makes kids feel extra special too.

Here are 5 Awesome Reasons to Have a PE FITNESS STAR for each class:

NO MORE FIGHTING, ARGUING, OR COMPLAINING ABOUT:

• Who gets to lead warm-up exercises
• Who gets to help with equipment and game set-up
• Who gets to be a tagger first (and use the big blue pool noodle to tag with during the last round of the tag game)
• Who gets to choose teams
• Who gets to be first in line

I like to use numbered Poly Dots for my group exercises.

The Fitness Star of the Day simply high fives two friends and the three of them grab their Poly Dots and head to the front to lead the class in the exercises for the day.

As far as group exercises go, I generally do a mix of basic exercises including JUMPING JACKS, WINDMILLS, TOE TOUCHES and JOGGING IN PLACE with my Kindergarten through Fifth Grade Students.

For my older students (Grades 3-5) we usually add in MOUNTAIN CLIMBERS, PUSH-UPS, and a 60 SECOND PLANK HOLD.

Group Exercise Tips

• POLY DOTS – Using numbered (and different colored) poly dots for student spots in elementary PE is a great idea because it gives every child a clear, personal space for group stretches and warm-up exercises. This is also an easy way to protect the gym floor from scuffs, scratches, and marks that often occur when PE teachers use tape, markers, or paint to mark squad spots or students exercise areas. I simply line the Poly Dots up in numbered order on the gym floor before class so they are ready to grab and go.
• STUDENT NUMBERS – I highly recommend assigning your students their own special student number on the very first day of class. Then use these numbers to easily take turns rotating who gets to be the Daily “FITNESS STAR.” I also use this number to assign each student their own warm-up Poly Dot.
• COUNTING – My students always count together as a “team” when doing our group exercises. It’s also fun to mix things up and practice counting in different languages. I taught my students how to count to 30 in Spanish and they taught me how to count in Latin.

PE QUESTION OF THE DAY (5 Minutes)

I often call this my “Check-In Chat” or PE Question of the Day Time. This is a small, but powerful, chunk of time in my PE Class Schedule where I gather all of my students together and sit in a circle with them.

I use this time to build connections with my students and grow our classroom community by asking a fun and engaging “Question of the Day.” Starting with the fitness star, each individual student gets a moment to quickly answer the “get to know me” question.

These questions will help you create a dynamic and interactive learning environment that keeps students excited and motivated throughout the year.

You can snag my 121 UNIQUE and FUN “Get to Know Me” Questions RIGHT HERE and cut down on classroom behavior problems by building a community of students who love their classmates and teacher.

CARDIO WARM-UP/TAG GAME (7-8 Minutes)

Next up on my Elementary PE Class Schedule is Cardio Warm-Up or Tag Game Time. This is a 7-8 minute block of time where I have my students play one of my many favorite CRAZY FUN TAG GAMES.

Playing tag games in elementary gym class is great for cardiovascular fitness because it keeps students moving continuously with quick bursts of running, helping to strengthen their hearts and improve overall endurance.

Remember to let your “Fitness Star of the Day” be a tagger first and if you need 3-4 taggers I almost always let my fitness star choose those first taggers.

TARGET TALK (3-4 Minutes)

For the next 3-4 minutes of my PE Class Schedule, I gather my students up once again and have them sit on the middle black line of the gym.

This is what I call “TARGET TIME” as in “LEARNING TARGET” Time and this is the time where I explain and/or model the main or target skill or skills that we will be focusing on in class for that day.

For example, if I am teaching my students how to properly underhand throw a ball or object I will do two things.

• EXPLAIN THE “I CAN” STATEMENT (I Can use correct form, stepping with my opposite foot when I throw an object or a ball underhand)
• MODEL – as the teacher I will model the skill for my students
• VISUALIZE & RECITE – have students visualize skill and recite the “I Can Statement”

MAIN GAME – TARGET SKILL GAME (15 Minutes)

This next part of the PE Class Schedule is basically the “meat and potatoes” of the gym class.

This where students get an opportunity to practice the “Target” or “Focus Skills” for the day while engaging in a fun game or activity.

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STUDENT CHOICE TIME (8-10 Minutes)

Allowing 8-10 minutes of student choice time at the end of an elementary PE class is highly beneficial for both building classroom community and supporting behavior management.

AND… the Kids Absolutely LOVE IT.

When students get to choose their activity—whether it’s a favorite game, equipment play, or group challenge—they feel recognized, empowered, and in charge of their learning, which helps foster a sense of belonging and mutual respect.

This autonomy encourages positive social interactions, teamwork, and friendships, as students mix and collaborate in low-pressure settings.

Knowing they’ll have time for preferred activities also motivates kids to follow rules and participate throughout the main lesson, making transitions smoother and behavior easier to manage.

Overall, choice time creates a supportive, fun atmosphere where students look forward to PE and develop lifelong cooperation skills.

Choice Time Tips

Here are a few “Choice Time” Tips that have really help me to maximize the benefits of this chunk of time in my PE Class Schedule.

• SET CLEAR BOUNDARIES -At the beginning of the school year, set clear boundaries for “Choice Time.” Explain to the students that this special time must be earned by them throughout the entire class period. It’s also important to specify what games and equipment are allowed to use during this time.
• SAFETY RULES -Explain the safety rules that go along with using the “Choice Time” equipment and materials.
• RESPONSIBILITY & CLEAN-UP -Stress the importance of being responsible and completely cleaning up an activity before choosing and moving to another activity during this time.
• BUILD POWERFUL TEACHER-STUDENT CONNECTIONS -As the PE Teacher, use this time to your advantage by playing with your students and building strong connections with them. This is also a great time to individually reteach a specific skill that a student might be struggling to master. Finally, use this time to have one-on-on caring conversations with students who might be having a difficult day or struggled to follow rules and directions during class that day.

CLEANUP, JOKES & HIGH FIVES (4 Minutes)

Well, we have made it to the end of our Awesome PE Class Schedule which means is is time for CLEANING UP, the JOKE OF THE DAY and HIGH FIVES.

When I blow my whistle 3 times and stop the fun and upbeat music that is playing from my ultimate PE Playlist, my students know that class is wrapping up and it is time to clean up quickly and meet me on the end line by the doorway.

Once the gym is spick and span I like to leave my students with a fun sports-related Joke of the Day like this one:

• Q: Why shouldn’t you play golf in the jungle? A: There are just too many “CHEETAHS”

Jokes make them laugh and smile and leave my gymnasium feeling upbeat and positive.

Finally, I give all of my students a HIGH FIVE on the way – one last way to let them know that I am proud of them and that I truly care about them.

Saved By the Bell

So, what do you say? Are you ready to plan the most epic PE CLASS SCHEDULE ever?

Why not blast some “CLEAN” and “UPBEAT” PE music for kids and get ready to have the absolute BEST DAYS hanging out with your incredible PE students.

If you’re looking for more easy, fun, and super unique (not boring) Low or No-Prep physical education games and projects, I’ve got a bunch more for you.

As a matter of fact, I have a GIANT BUNDLE of Elementary Physical Education Games.

You can grab your Physical Education HUGE GROWING BUNDLE Right Here!

Be sure to check out my other unique and fun Teacher Resources (Instant Bulletin Boards, Fun Classroom Decor, Learning and PE Games) in my Love 2 Teach and Learn TPT store RIGHT HERE!

Thanks for stopping by today and learning how to create an awesome Elementary PE Class Schedule for you and our students.

I really appreciate it and I hope that you have a TRULY BLESSED And BEAUTIFUL Day spent laughing until your cheeks hurt!