Lesson 1 developed by Crispin Fresco-Hawes

Name of Activity/Task: Locomotor License

Concept being Taught: Locomotor Skills, Space Awareness

Purpose of Activity: To have students practice locomotor skills and moving safely in general space.
Suggested Grade Level: K-2

Materials Needed: Locomotor licenses for each child. (Students can make them on the computer as part of a classroom project. Students love making up their own "vanity plates" with their name or different word puns on it). Cones to define the playing area.

Description of the Activity
After quickly reviewing what it means to travel safely in general space (move away from others--no crashes; move to all the areas; you can't follow anyone), introduce the activity by going over a few of the movement prompts found below.

Let students know the teacher will be the "police officer" who is looking to see that they can travel safely...and if they forget a "rule of the road", they will receive a mark on their license (a "ticket") for being an unsafe driver. If they receive 3 tickets, they will lose their license.

After handing out all the licenses, the students spread out in a self-space around the gym and begin to move according to the prompt called out (i.e., bumpy road ahead means skipping, narrow road ahead means galloping, etc.):

? Speed limit 30 mph - walking

? Bumpy road ahead - skipping

? Narrow road ahead - galloping

? School crossing - walk really slow

? Road construction - leap over the potholes (use hoops on the floor)

? Flat tire - hopping

? Interstate driving - running

? Out of gas - take a break--sit where you are!

? Traffic jam - do 3 modified push-ups

? It's raining - put on your windshield wipers by doing jumping jacks

? Emergency - freeze

? Ambulance - students pull over to outer side of area

? Stuck in the mud - jog in place

If the teacher observes any student disobeying the traffic laws, then that student should receive a warning or a ticket by putting an X on their license. If a student receives 3 tickets their license is "revoked" (i.e., they sit out for a few minutes to observe how "safe drivers" travel).