Unit Plan 19 (PreK PE): Heart Pumping

Focus: Help children understand that exercise makes the heart beat faster through playful running activities, simple body checks, and joyful movement around the gym space.

Grade Level: PreK

Subject Area: Physical Education (Active Play • Body Awareness • Healthy Movement)

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 active play does important things inside the body. At this age, children can begin noticing simple body changes such as breathing faster, feeling warm, and feeling their heart beat more quickly after exercise. This unit uses jogging and jumping in place as the warm-up and then moves into Run the Track, where children travel around the gym space in short active rounds. The goal is to help children connect movement with healthy body responses while keeping the lesson playful, safe, and easy to understand.

Essential Questions

• What happens to my body when I exercise?
• How does running make my heart feel?
• Why is active play good for my body?
• How can I move safely while exercising?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Recognize that physical activity helps the body stay strong and healthy.
2. Notice simple body changes such as faster heartbeat, faster breathing, and feeling warm after movement.
3. Participate actively in short periods of running and movement play.
4. Build early awareness that exercise is good for the body.

Standards Alignment — PreK (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S3.PKb Recognize that physical activity helps the body stay strong and healthy.
  • Example: Children talk about how their heart beats faster after running.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can run and move in PE.
• I can feel my heart beat faster after exercise.
• I can notice when my body feels warm.
• I can learn that movement helps my body stay strong.