Unit Plan 6 (PreK PE): Fast & Slow

Focus: Help children explore speed and movement levels by practicing how to move fast, slow, high, and low in playful teacher-cue games.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Physical Education (Movement Concepts • Speed Awareness • Body Control)

Total Unit Duration: 2 core sessions + 2 optional sessions (1–2 weeks), 20–30 minutes per session

I. Introduction

PreK students continue building movement confidence by learning that bodies can move in different ways depending on the cue, the space, and the activity. At this age, children benefit from simple games that help them compare fast and slow movement while also noticing when bodies move high or low. This unit uses walking slowly, then jogging quickly across the space as a warm-up and then moves into Cheetahs and Turtles, where children move fast or slow based on teacher cues and sometimes change body level as well. The goal is to help children explore movement concepts in a playful way while building listening skills, body control, and safe movement habits.

Essential Questions

• How can my body move fast and slow?
• What does it mean to move high or low?
• How can I change my movement when the teacher gives a cue?
• How can I move safely while exploring different speeds?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Explore movement concepts such as fast and slow during active play.
2. Practice moving at different body levels such as high and low.
3. Respond to teacher cues by changing movement speed and level.
4. Participate actively in playful movement games with growing body control.

Standards Alignment — PreK (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S2.PKb Explore movement concepts such as fast/slow, high/low, and near/far.
  • Example: Children move slowly like turtles and quickly like rabbits.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can move fast.
• I can move slow.
• I can move high and low.
• I can change my body when I hear the teacher cue.