Unit Plan 3 (Grade 3 PE): Locomotor Tag & Space Awareness
Build Grade 3 PE skills with fun tag games that improve locomotor movement, dodging, pathways, space awareness, and safe active play.
Focus: Strengthen locomotor skills, improve dodging and pathway choices, and help students build better awareness of others in general space during active tag games.
Grade Level: 3
Subject Area: Physical Education (Locomotor Movement • Tag Games • Space Awareness)
Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session
I. Introduction
Students build movement confidence by practicing locomotor skills in ways that require control, quick thinking, and awareness of others. In this unit, students begin with a locomotor review through cone pathways using run, skip, leap, and gallop so they can practice changing speed, direction, and pathway while staying balanced and safe. They then apply those skills in Safe Zone Tag and Level Tag, where they must dodge, change levels, and find open space while following game rules. Throughout the unit, students focus on moving with control, noticing where others are, responding to teacher cues, and learning how pathway and level choices can help them succeed in tag games.
Essential Questions
- How can I move safely and with control in a busy game space?
- How do pathways, levels, and direction changes help me avoid a tagger?
- Why is it important to look for open space during movement games?
- How do PE rules and boundaries help active games stay safe and fun?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Perform locomotor skills with control while changing speed, direction, pathway, and level.
- Use personal and general space effectively to avoid collisions and move into open areas.
- Apply movement concepts such as pathways, levels, and direction changes to dodge or escape taggers.
- Stay actively engaged in movement games for most of class time.
- Follow game rules, routines, and safety expectations consistently.
Standards Alignment — 3rd Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)
- PE:S1.3a – Locomotor Skills in Complex Pathways Perform locomotor skills (run, hop, jump, leap, slide, gallop, skip) with control, changing speed and direction in response to cues or game situations.
- Example: Students navigate a cone course, adjusting speed and direction while avoiding others during a tag-style warm-up.
- PE:S2.3a – Space Awareness & Positioning Use knowledge of personal and general space to find open areas, avoid collisions, and position appropriately during games.
- Example: In keep-away games, students move away from defenders to create open passing lanes.
- PE:S2.3b – Pathways, Levels, and Direction in Game Contexts Apply movement concepts (pathways, levels, directions) to gain advantage in chasing, fleeing, dodging, and invasion games.
- Example: Students change direction and levels to evade a tagger during a tag game.
- 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:S4.3a – Rules, Routines, and Equipment Safety Consistently follow rules, procedures, and safety expectations, including proper use of equipment and respect for boundaries.
- Example: Students wait for the signal to begin, stay within play zones, and handle equipment appropriately.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can run, skip, leap, and gallop with control in pathways.
- I can find open space and avoid bumping into others.
- I can change direction or level to get away from a tagger.
- I can stay active during movement games.
- I can follow the rules, boundaries, and stop signals.