Unit Plan 7 (Grade 3 PE): Fitness Circuit & Components

Focus: Build understanding of basic fitness components, help students notice body responses to activity, and develop responsibility during station-based fitness work.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Physical Education (Fitness Circuit • Body Awareness • Strength, Endurance & Flexibility)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore fitness as a set of different movement experiences that help the body become stronger, more active, and more prepared for daily life and play. In this unit, students begin with jumping jacks, line jogs, and arm circles so they can warm up the whole body and begin noticing changes in breathing, heart rate, and energy. They then participate in a fitness circuit that includes curl-ups, planks, jump rope lines, shuttle runs, and a stretch station, where they practice moving with effort while learning simple ideas about strength, endurance, and flexibility. Throughout the unit, students focus on staying active, recognizing how their bodies feel at different activity levels, and taking responsibility for effort, transitions, and cleanup.

Essential Questions

• What are some basic parts of fitness, and what do they help my body do?
• How does my body feel during easier activity compared to harder activity?
• How can I tell when I am working at a moderate or vigorous level?
• What does it mean to stay on task and show responsibility during a fitness circuit?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Participate actively in fitness stations for most of class time.
2. Describe simple body responses to movement, such as faster breathing, a quicker heartbeat, warmth, or tired muscles.
3. Identify basic fitness components in simple terms, including strength, endurance, and flexibility.
4. Show effort, responsibility, and on-task behavior during fitness activities and transitions.

Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S3.3a – Participation in Moderate-to-Vigorous Activity Participate actively in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity for most of the PE class time.
  • Example: Students remain engaged in continuous movement activities such as running games, circuits, or relays with minimal idle time.
• PE:S3.3b – Recognizing Body Responses & Intensity Describe how their body responds to different levels of physical activity (heart rate, breathing, sweating, tiredness) and recognize signs of moderate vs vigorous effort.
  • Example: After a jogging vs sprinting activity, students compare how their breathing and heart rate feel during each.
• PE:S3.3c – Components of Fitness (Basic Awareness) Identify basic components of fitness in simple terms, such as muscular strength, endurance, and flexibility.
  • Example: Students label curl-ups as strengthening activities and stretching as flexibility work.
• PE:S4.3e – Effort, Responsibility, and On-Task Behavior Show consistent effort, stay on task, and take responsibility for participation (e.g., being prepared, returning equipment, helping with cleanup).
  • Example: Students quickly transition to new activities, continue trying challenging skills, and help collect equipment at the end of class.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can stay active during the fitness circuit.
• I can describe how my body feels during exercise.
• I can name simple fitness parts like strength, endurance, and flexibility.
• I can stay on task and use equipment responsibly.