This is a bank of activity ideas that embed life skills learning into academic content. These practices can be documented in unit guides, lesson plans, etc. On this page, they are organized under the MN life skills benchmarks for this grade band.
Divide the class into teams and have each team member take turns running to the other side of the gym and back while holding a card with an emotion written on it. When they return, they must label the emotion and talk about a time they felt that way. This activity can help children recognize and label their emotions while promoting physical activity.
Have each student pick an emotion card out of a hat and act out the emotion without speaking while the rest of the class guesses what it is. After the emotion is identified, have the class discuss whether it is a positive or negative emotion and why. This activity helps children identify positive and negative emotions and increases their ability to express themselves.
Hide pictures of various situations or events around the gym and have the students find them. Then have them identify the emotion associated with each picture and talk about why they feel that way. This activity helps children recognize that different situations can elicit different emotions and increases their emotional intelligence.
Divide the class into teams and have each team member take turns running to the other side of the gym and back while holding a card with a personal quality written on it (e.g. "I'm good at math," "I'm shy," "I love to dance," etc.). When they return, they must share a little bit more about themselves related to the quality on the card. This activity helps children identify and describe their personal qualities while promoting physical activity.
Have students pair up and participate in a variety of physical challenges that require teamwork and cooperation, such as a relay race where one partner is blindfolded and the other gives verbal directions. After each challenge, have the pairs discuss what they did well and what they could have improved on, and identify areas where they may need help from each other in the future. This activity helps children identify areas where they may need help in order to be successful and promotes teamwork and cooperation.
Organize mini "strength showcases" where students have the opportunity to demonstrate and share their physical strengths with their classmates. For example, give each student a chance to perform a physical skill they excel at, such as a dance move, a yoga pose, or a basketball shot. Encourage their peers to cheer and provide positive feedback, celebrating each other's strengths.
Teach and reinforce safety rules and expectations specific to physical education activities. Explain why these rules are important for students' well-being and how they contribute to creating a safe environment. Encourage students to discuss and share examples of how following these rules can help them feel safe during physical activities.
Help students understand the concept of personal boundaries and respect for personal space during physical activities. Engage them in discussions about the importance of respecting each other's boundaries and making others feel safe and comfortable. Role-play scenarios where students practice asking for consent and respecting personal space, promoting a culture of safety and respect.
During a game or activity, you could discuss with the students the different consequences that can arise from their actions and choices. For example, if a student chooses to not follow the rules of the game, what could happen? You could guide the students in discussing the negative consequences of breaking the rules, such as being disqualified or potentially injuring themselves or others. On the other hand, following the rules could lead to positive consequences, such as being successful in the game or building teamwork skills.
Ask the students to bring their own water bottles to class and remind them to keep their bottles in a designated area during class. You could also discuss the importance of taking care of their own belongings, such as their water bottles, by keeping them clean and making sure they are not lost or damaged.
Provide equipment for a game or activity and discuss with the students how to properly use and take care of the equipment. You could also explain the importance of asking permission before using someone else's belongings, such as a classmate's ball or jump rope, and reminding the students to take care of the equipment while they are using it.
Guide the students in practicing different calming strategies before or after a game or activity. For example, taking deep breaths, counting to 10, or doing a short meditation. You could also discuss the importance of using these strategies when feeling overwhelmed or stressed, and encourage the students to use them whenever they need to.
Facilitate a discussion with the students about how their feelings can influence their thoughts and behaviors. For example, if a student is feeling frustrated during a game, how might that affect their thoughts and behaviors? You could guide the students in exploring the different ways their emotions can impact their actions and help them learn to identify and manage their emotions in healthy ways.
Discuss with the students the concept of choice and how they have the power to make choices in their behaviors. For example, during a game, a student may choose to play fair and follow the rules, or they may choose to cheat. You could guide the students in discussing the different consequences of each choice and help them understand the importance of making responsible and ethical choices.
Share personal success stories or stories of famous athletes or sports figures who demonstrated perseverance. Discuss how these individuals faced challenges or setbacks but did not give up. Encourage students to reflect on their own experiences where they persevered in physical activities or sports, and discuss the positive outcomes that resulted from their perseverance.
Set up obstacle courses or physical challenges that require perseverance to complete. Design the courses with varying levels of difficulty, encouraging students to face and overcome obstacles. Emphasize the importance of not giving up, even when faced with challenges. Provide support and encouragement as they work through the course, celebrating their persistence and determination.
Teach students the power of positive self-talk during physical activities. Encourage them to use encouraging and motivating words when faced with challenges or difficulties. Provide examples of positive affirmations they can use to remind themselves to keep going and not give up. Practice using positive self-talk during class activities and games.
Incorporate team challenges or group activities where students must work together to achieve a common goal. Emphasize the importance of supporting and encouraging each other throughout the process. Discuss how perseverance is not only an individual trait but also a team effort. Celebrate the collective perseverance and highlight the sense of accomplishment that comes from working together.
Assist students in identifying personal goals, such as improving their running speed, doing more push-ups, or practicing a specific skill like dribbling a ball. You can have a discussion with each student to help them set realistic and achievable goals for themselves.
Once students have set goals, help them to track their progress over time. This can be done by keeping a journal, using a chart, or simply talking to students about how they are doing. Tracking progress can help students to stay motivated and see how far they have come.
Set short-term goals related to fitness activities, such as performing a certain number of jumping jacks, push-ups, or running a specific distance within a given time frame. Teach students how to break down these goals into simple steps. For example, demonstrate and guide them on proper form, pacing, and breathing techniques for each exercise. Encourage students to track their progress by keeping a record of their achievements and improvements over time.
Choose a specific skill, such as dribbling a basketball, throwing a baseball, or kicking a soccer ball. Break down the skill into smaller steps, providing clear instructions and demonstrations for each step. Guide students through practicing each step individually, gradually combining them to achieve the overall goal. Emphasize the importance of practice and repetition to improve their skills.
Provide a variety of physical challenges or exercises, such as balancing, jumping, or throwing. Encourage students to assess their own skills and abilities, noting areas where they feel confident and areas they want to improve. Guide them in recognizing their personal resources, such as balance, coordination, strength, or flexibility, and how these resources can help them achieve their goals.
Provide feedback to students on their performance and progress towards their goals. You can encourage students to take the feedback positively and make changes to their behavior or technique based on the feedback.
Incorporate team-building games or cooperative activities that require students to communicate and work together. Encourage students to pay attention to the facial expressions and tone of voice of their teammates. Guide them in identifying and discussing the emotions they perceive in others during the activities. Foster discussions about how different emotions can affect teamwork and encourage empathy by discussing how they can support and respond to their teammates' emotions.
Engage students in a discussion about how different people may have different feelings or experiences in different situations. For example, in a game, some students may feel excited and competitive, while others may feel nervous or anxious. You can encourage students to be respectful of each other's feelings and perspectives.
Use role-playing or scenarios to help students anticipate how others may react in a specific situation. For example, if a student accidentally knocks over another student's water bottle, you can ask students to think about how the other student may feel and what their reaction might be. This can help students develop empathy and understanding of others.
Teach students about the concept of inclusive adaptations in physical education. Introduce various adaptive equipment or modifications that can be used to include individuals with different abilities in physical activities. Guide students in discussing how these adaptations can make activities accessible and enjoyable for a wider range of individuals, highlighting the similarities in their participation despite physical differences.
Create opportunities for students to work in pairs or small groups during physical activities or games. After each activity, encourage students to express positive qualities they observed in their teammates. Prompt students to describe specific positive qualities such as teamwork, encouragement, perseverance, or good sportsmanship.
During a game, if conflict arises, encourage students to use respectful language and actions to work through the conflict. Model and reinforce positive communication and conflict resolution skills.
Assign students specific responsibilities to contribute to the PE class, such as setting up equipment or leading a warm-up activity. Reinforce the importance of each student's contributions to the class.
Encourage students to help others during class, such as retrieving equipment or offering encouragement during a challenging activity. Reinforce the importance of being helpful and kind to others.
During a cooperative game, encourage students to work together and help each other. After the game, students can share how they felt when they helped their classmates, such as proud, happy, or valued.
Implement a buddy system during physical education activities. Explain to students that they can rely on their assigned buddy for help when needed. Encourage students to discuss and identify situations where they might require assistance from their buddy, such as tying shoelaces, carrying equipment, or understanding instructions. Emphasize the importance of communicating their needs to their buddy and the responsibility of being a supportive helper.
Organize activities that require the use of equipment, such as balls, beanbags, or hula hoops. Explain to students the importance of taking turns and sharing the equipment with their classmates. Establish a clear rotation system where each student gets a designated turn to use the equipment. Encourage students to cheer on their peers while waiting for their turn, creating a supportive and inclusive environment.
Introduce group games that involve passing or sharing objects, such as relay races or cooperative ball games. Emphasize the importance of taking turns and sharing the objects to ensure equal participation and teamwork. Guide students in understanding the rules of the game and how each player has a chance to participate and contribute.
Pair students up for partner exercises or activities. Instruct students to take turns being the leader and follower in each activity. Encourage students to communicate and support each other during the exercises, sharing the opportunity to take the lead.
Organize team-building exercises or group challenges that rely on effective nonverbal communication. Assign students into small groups and provide them with a task that requires collaboration, such as navigating an obstacle course or performing a synchronized movement. Instruct students to communicate and coordinate their actions primarily through facial expressions, body language, and tone of voice, without using words. Facilitate debriefing sessions where students reflect on the effectiveness of their nonverbal communication and discuss how they adapted their communication to work as a team.
Divide students into teams for various physical activities or games. Assign each team the task of creating a team cheer or chant that includes genuine encouraging comments for their teammates. Provide guidance and examples of positive and uplifting phrases that can be incorporated into the cheers. Allow teams to perform their cheers before and after the activities, emphasizing the importance of supporting and encouraging one another.
After completing a physical activity or game, ask students to pair up and reflect on their performance. Instruct each student to share a genuine encouraging comment with their partner, highlighting something they did well or showing improvement.
Incorporate listening games into your physical education lessons to promote active listening skills. Play games such as "Simon Says" or "Listen and Move," where students have to listen carefully to verbal instructions and respond accordingly with their movements. Reinforce the importance of paying close attention to the instructions and following them precisely.
Organize team-building challenges that require students to work together in small groups. Guide students in reflecting on the dynamics within their teams, such as the roles and responsibilities of each member and how they interact with one another. Facilitate discussions on how relationships within the teams differ, emphasizing that each group may have its own unique way of functioning.
After completing a group activity or game, have students share with the class one positive quality they noticed in their classmates. Encourage them to reflect on what they liked about their classmates' behavior or attitude and how they could work to incorporate those qualities into their own behavior.
Identify common interests or activities that students enjoy within the realm of physical education, such as soccer, dancing, or jumping rope. Allow students to self-select or assign them into small groups based on their shared interest. Provide opportunities for these groups to engage in activities together, fostering connections and friendships based on their shared passion.
Engage students in role-playing activities where they act out conflicts that commonly occur during physical education. Prompt students to express the feelings associated with these conflicts, both from their own perspective and from the perspective of others involved. Encourage students to brainstorm and practice strategies for resolving conflicts in a peaceful and respectful manner.
During a role-playing activity, have students act out a conflict scenario and switch roles to practice understanding the other person's perspective. Encourage them to actively listen and ask questions to gain a better understanding of the other person's thoughts and feelings.
After the role-playing activity, have students brainstorm potential solutions to the conflict they acted out. Encourage them to consider how they could compromise or find a solution that benefits both parties involved.
Discuss with the students the shared norms for behavior in the gym. They could explain the expectations for listening, following directions, staying safe, and cooperating with others. You could model the behaviors and provide opportunities for the students to practice following the norms.
Guide the students in identifying and illustrating safe and unsafe behaviors in the gym. For example, you could ask the students to draw pictures or act out different scenarios to show what behaviors are safe or unsafe in the gym. You could use this opportunity to reinforce the importance of following safety rules.
Present scenarios to the students that involve making decisions about behavior in the gym. You could guide the students in discussing the possible positive and negative effects of each decision on themselves and others. This could help the students develop empathy and understand the impact their decisions can have on others.
Modify certain physical education games or activities to incorporate decision-making moments. Instruct students to use the "Stop, Think, and Act" strategy during these moments to make strategic choices or determine the appropriate actions. Prompt students to reflect on the consequences of their decisions and discuss how they can apply the strategy to improve their performance or teamwork in the game.
Design warm-up routines that require students to cooperate and follow specific procedures as a group. Include activities like stretching circles, partner exercises, or line formations that require students to work together in a coordinated manner. Reinforce the importance of cooperation, communication, and following procedures while engaging in these warm-up routines.
Organize group circuit training activities where students rotate through different exercise stations. Assign roles and responsibilities for each station, such as timekeeper, equipment manager, or encourager. Guide students in working cooperatively to ensure smooth transitions and adherence to the procedures at each station.
Teach students the proper procedures for handling and storing equipment, such as balls, cones, or jump ropes. Assign specific roles or rotations for students to take turns in managing the equipment before, during, and after activities. Emphasize the importance of cooperation and responsibility in following the procedures for equipment management to maintain a safe and organized environment.
Present students with task-based challenges that require cooperation and adherence to specific procedures. For example, set up an obstacle course or relay race where students must work together to complete the tasks while following designated procedures. Encourage students to communicate, collaborate, and support one another to successfully complete the challenges.
Introduce cooperative games where specific actions or decisions lead to consequences within the game. For example, in a tag game, if a student does not follow the rules, they may have to sit out for a certain duration. Prompt students to reflect on how their actions influenced the consequences they experienced and discuss the importance of making responsible choices.
