3-5 PE Lesson Ideas

Name of Activity: Secret Handshake

Purpose of Activity: To give students an opportunity to cooperate with each other in a physical activity setting.

Suggested Grade Level: 3-5

Materials Needed: A small container with about 20 to 40 cards, each with a body-part word or action written on it, one word or phrase per card (examples: nose, elbow, twirl, knees, shout, jump, clap, skip, crab walk, karate kick, hop, jog, hands, etc.)

Description of Idea

At the end of a few minutes, have half of the class show off their handshake to the other half, then repeat so all students have had the chance to show their handshake.

Variations:

This is a great "getting to know you" activity to be done at the beginning of the school year!

For ideas on how to partner children up, see the Forming Groups ideas in PEC's Lesson Ideas sections.

Try separating the cards into three different containers, according to body parts (hands, tooshies, feet, elbows, etc.); actions (karate kick, twirl, explode, clap, etc.); and travelling actions (hop, skip, jump, slide, crab walk, etc.). Pair students up first, then have each pair pick one card from each container. (Each pair will most likely end up with cards different from other pairs.) After giving students time to practice, let the pairs show their handshake to others in the class.

Have students perform each part of their handshake in counts of 4 or 8 and then put it to music, thus creating a rhythmical sequence!