Unit Plan 31 (Grade 3 PE): Lifetime Fitness & Walking/Jogging Club

Focus: Build endurance, help students recognize moderate versus vigorous effort, and introduce walking and jogging as lifelong physical activities they can use beyond PE.

Grade Level: 3

Subject Area: Physical Education (Lifetime Fitness • Walking/Jogging Club • Endurance & Healthy Habits)

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

I. Introduction

Students explore walking and jogging as simple, accessible forms of fitness that can support health now and throughout life. In this unit, students begin with a slow walk progressing to an easy jog so they can feel how the body changes as movement becomes more active and sustained. They then participate in Lap Challenges and “Beat Your Time” Walk/Run activities using tracking cards, where they practice pacing, staying active for longer periods, and noticing differences between moderate and vigorous effort. Throughout the unit, students focus on endurance, body awareness, healthy activity habits, and understanding that walking and jogging are activities they can do at school, at home, and in the community.

Essential Questions

• How can I tell when I am working at a moderate pace versus a vigorous pace?
• What helps me keep moving for a longer time?
• Why are walking and jogging good lifelong activities?
• How does regular movement help my body and mind?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Participate actively in walking and jogging activities for most of class time.
2. Describe body responses such as breathing, heartbeat, warmth, and tiredness during different effort levels.
3. Identify healthy activity habits that support fitness, such as walking, jogging, active play, and reducing inactive time.
4. Explain physical and mental benefits of walking and jogging.
5. Track simple progress through lap counts or timed walk/run efforts.

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:S3.3d – Healthy Activity Habits Describe personal choices that support physical fitness, such as regular active play, limiting screen time, and choosing active options during free time.
  • Example: Students share examples like biking, playing tag, or walking a pet as healthy choices outside school.
• PE:S5.3b – Recognizing Health & Social Benefits Describe ways that physical activity helps their bodies and minds (e.g., stronger muscles, better health, more energy, stress relief, fun with friends).
  • Example: Students explain that being active helps them feel happier, sleep better, or play longer.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can keep walking or jogging for longer periods of time.
• I can notice how my breathing and heart feel when I move at different speeds.
• I can tell the difference between moderate and vigorous effort.
• I can name healthy habits that help me stay active outside school.
• I can explain how walking and jogging help my body and mind.