Unit Plan 30 (Grade 6 PE): Playground Games & Conflict Resolution

Focus: Strengthen conflict-resolution strategies, improve self-officiating, and build more inclusive behavior during less structured playground-style games.

Grade Level: 6

Subject Area: Physical Education

Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 45–55 minutes per session

I. Introduction

In this Grade 6 Physical Education unit, students explore the social and strategic side of playground games by participating in activities that require more independence and peer management than many teacher-directed sports. Through short tag games, stretching, and rotating playground-style activities such as 9-square, tetherball-style games, and circle games, students learn how to handle competition, share space, make fair calls, and include others respectfully. The unit emphasizes that playground games are not only about fun and movement, but also about self-control, emotional regulation, leadership, and the ability to solve disagreements without adult intervention every time. Students also reflect on how active play can support physical health, mood, stress relief, and a sense of belonging. By the end of the week, students should be able to explain how playground games build movement skills while also helping students practice fair, respectful behavior in less structured settings.

Essential Questions

• How can students solve disagreements fairly during playground games?
• What does strong self-officiating look like in less structured activities?
• How can students model inclusive behavior when games are fast and competitive?
• How do playground games support physical, mental, and social well-being?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Use locomotor skills with control during tag, chase, and playground-style games.
2. Work cooperatively in student-managed or peer-officiated games.
3. Show self-control, positive sportsmanship, and emotional regulation during competition.
4. Use class conflict-resolution strategies to solve disagreements fairly.
5. Explain how active playground games can support physical health, stress relief, and social connection.

Standards Alignment — Grade 6 PE (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S1.6a – Locomotor Skills with Speed, Transitions, and Control Perform locomotor skills (run, sprint, shuffle, skip, leap, slide) with control, quickly transitioning between movements and adjusting speed in response to game demands.
  • Example: In tag and playground games, students sprint into space, stop under control, and change direction safely while reacting to others.
• PE:S4.6b – Cooperation, Leadership, and Inclusive Participation Work cooperatively with diverse peers, assume and rotate leadership roles (captain, referee, coach, equipment manager), and intentionally include all group members.
  • Example: Students rotate student-ref roles, invite others into game play, and make sure no one is excluded from participation.
• PE:S4.6c – Self-Control, Sportsmanship, and Emotional Regulation Demonstrate self-control, positive sportsmanship, and emotional regulation in competitive and cooperative contexts, responding to wins, losses, and mistakes constructively.
  • Example: Students remain calm after a close call, accept a fair decision, and rejoin play respectfully.
• PE:S4.6d – Constructive Conflict Resolution and Self-Officiating Use fair, agreed-upon strategies to resolve disagreements and participate appropriately in self-officiated or peer-officiated games.
  • Example: When a rule dispute happens in a playground game, students pause, explain their perspectives briefly, use the class process, and restart calmly.
• PE:S5.6b – Recognizing Physical, Mental, and Social Benefits of Activity Describe how consistent physical activity contributes to physical health, mental well-being (mood, stress), and social benefits (friendships, teamwork, sense of belonging).
  • Example: Students reflect that playground-style games help them move, laugh, reduce stress, and build friendships through shared play.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can move with speed and control during playground games.
• I can help include others and participate fairly.
• I can stay calm during close calls, mistakes, or losses.
• I can use the class process to solve disagreements respectfully.
• I can explain how active play helps my body, mood, and relationships.