What is locomotor movement in physical education

In this episode, Ben and Marcus discuss some of their favorite ways to teach students different locomotor movements, which is a common focus for Kindergarten and First Grade students in many PE Programs.

For more Tips on Teaching Kindergarten Check out this Episode

How to Teach Locomotors in PE Class

(Link to Podcast Episode)

YouTube Show Below:

Resources and Links 

Locomotors

• Fundamental Movement patterns students need to have to be successful at any sport or activity.

• Discuss the “Why”.  We have locomotor train on the wall and we discuss how trains move cargo from one place to another (which is what a locomotor movement is).

• Explain if students can perform all the locomotors then they can play any sport or activity.

• First one to practice, walking and jogging.  Demonstrate what the pattern should look like, pacing themselves to prepare for the PACER test.

Check out more tips for teaching the PACER test Here!

• Chance to practice the Stop and Go signals, important for Classroom Management.

• Once students have learned the pattern for the warmup, switch up the movements to practice.  (After students have been taught the locomotor movements.

• Remind students if they don’t know what to do, just do your best!

• Seeing their peers complete the task is motivation for them to improve their skills.

• Positive feedback (lessens the chance of giving up)  may be more beneficial than specific feedback (overwhelming information) for younger learners.

Open Space and Personal Space

• After practicing on the lines, begin to practice off the lines.

• Challenge personal space skills by moving in different locomotors.

• Non-locomotor practice – meaning to move in personal space without going anywhere (twist, wave arms, etc…)

• Describe personal space by having students create “bubbles” and encourage students not to burst bubbles by getting too close to other students.

• Practice moving in personal space around the open space and praise students who can follow those directions.

• Constantly remind students of the “Why”, if they can learn to move in personal space they will be successful and not get injured.

• Progressing through the different locomotors, make sure to show students examples and non examples

• See the example in the video below as I teach kids about locomotors and open space while reviewing our Home Base Spots at the beginning of the year)

Check out Helena Baert’s Locomotor Posters HERE

I See 

• Basic call and response activity for students practice locomotor skills.

• The teacher calls out “I see” and students respond “What do you see”.  After which, the teacher tells what they see.

• The students get a chance to explore movements and the teacher gets a chance to assess and evaluate student achievement.

• Examples:

• • Moving like a feather

• • Flying like a plane

• • Slither like a snake

• • A bird flying in the air

• • A giant with big heavy feet

• • A fish swimming in the sea

• • Ice skating on the frozen lake

• • Personal favorite: All the lines are railroad tracks like trains

Purposeful Practice

• Student demonstration of locomotors is great for skill development of all students.  Students who see a peer being successful can give them the confidence to be successful.

• When students make mistakes, acknowledge the mistake in a way that promotes their courage for trying to demonstrate in front of their classmates.

• Build a culture where students are willing to share their ideas and not be afraid to make mistakes.

• Intra-task development – with in task sequences.

• Developing students ability to do a locomotor in multiple different ways.

• Designing intra-task development into lesson helps to further promote mastery.

• If students can perform the task in different ways, it can promote confidence to improve on the skills outside the classroom.

• Challenging students to practice the skills in more than one way.

Check out the Teaching Kindergarten Podcast Page

• Practice locomotor movements from one station to the next.

• Chance for the teacher to check, teach, or refine a locomotor skills.

• Students are usually thinking about locomotors when they are practicing stations.  This is a great check for understanding for the teacher.

Lucky Square (Check out an old Video of the Game Here)

• Game we use to practice locomotor skills and other skills in a game-like situation.

• Can use 6 squares or hula hoops to designate the 6 squares students will go to before rolling the dice.

• The “Lucy Square” is where students can practice a special exercise and will be determined by the number the dice lands on.

• Teach the whole class the exercise first, then practice the locomotor around the outside of the designated area.

• When the music stops, students step in the closest square (or hula hoop) and wait for the dice roll to discover if they will be the Lucky Square!

• Change up the locomotors and exercise in the middle to fit your needs.

Parachute

• A way to incorporate teamwork into locomotor.  All students are holding on to the parachute and have to move at the same time to be successful.

Call it Macaroni

• Simple call and response for locomotor practice.

• Chance to reinforce skill development and check for personal space.

• Pause the song in random spot to provide feedback and learning opportunities for students.

You can buy an OLD SCHOOL CD with the song above “Call it Macaroni” or download it digitally here:

http://www.wagonwheelrecords.net/individualization-in-movement-music-cd.html

If it’s sold out at the link Google it (http://bfy.tw/BHau) and you can find it on Ebay or lots of other online stores

Listen and Move

• Also a call and response.

• Students must remember what the sounds tell them to do.  Another way for the teacher to check for understanding.

• Can also pause music in the middle for feedback and learning opportunities.

Chicken Dance

• Simple but effective way of combining locomotor and non-locomotor movements.

• Students must be able to stay with the music and stay in personal space.

• Also a way to practice for real-world situation. (School dance, wedding, birthday party etc…)

Check out the free chicken dance step cheat sheet here 

Mr. Chris More Ideas from Mr. Chris found here: https://www.thepespecialist.com/dance2/

• Follow around activities for students.

• Visuals to go along with the music so students can see the movements.

Hokey Pokey

• Classic locomotor practice incorporating learning about your body.

• Include a hula hoop for personal space and something for students to go around.

More Follow Along Songs on Youtube to Check Out:

• Ideas below are from this great Twitter Thread:
  • The Goldfish Song
  • Move Like This
  • Listen and Move

Locomotor License 

• Assessment tool for locomotors

• Teachers are able to give students feedback on their locomotors

• Pro-Tip: Have stations set up after the assessment to give students who did not pass a second chance.

• Teachers can also use the call and response songs to assess locomotors as well.

• Don’t be afraid to deny students their locomotor licenses.  It’s a great way for students to fail and learn from failure.

Download the Locomotor License Cards for Free on This Blog Post

Have Fun and Teach On!