New edition includes 250+ ready-to-use activities!
National Standards
Standard 2: Applies knowledge related to movement and fitness concepts
2.5.7 Defines and provides examples of movement activities for developing the health-related fitness components.
Standard 3: Develops social skills through movement
3.5.3 Demonstrates respectful behaviors that contribute to positive social interaction in group activities
Learning Objectives
Students will identify which exercises develop cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility
Students demonstrate appropriate behavior when working with different partners
Health-Related Fitness Components
Cardiorespiratory endurance
Muscular endurance
Flexibility
Equipment
Music + one workout pyramid handout/student
Partner Pyramid Workout Grades 3-5
Introduction of Concepts
Tell students that this warm-up activity works on cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility Encourage them to work hard and try to do more repetitions than before
Directions
1.Show students the workout pyramid in the form of a poster, wall projection, or handout. Explain how to work down the pyramid: “Start at the top, then choose an exercise on the next row down that is in contact with the previous exercise. Continue in this way through the last row. For example, everyone starts with jumping jacks, then chooses either push-ups or squats Next, if you did squats, choose either hip flexor stretch or butterfly stretch Then, if you did hip flexor stretch, choose either tuck jumps or burpees You always pick an exercise beneath the one you just did”
2 Explain that students start with a partner (assigned however you prefer) and do the first exercise with them for one minute while music plays When the music stops, they find a new partner with whom to complete the next exercise (once the music begins) The new exercise must connect (on the pyramid) to the last exercise done by one or both of the partners Students continue in this manner until they finish the final row of the pyramid
3 Start the music to signal students to begin their first exercise; after one minute, stop the music
4 Give students 15 seconds to find a new partner and choose their next exercise They must agree with their new partner on which exercise to do
5 Restart the music and play it for one minute while students complete the new exercise Then stop the music again and give students 15 seconds to find a new partner and choose the next exercise
6.Continue this pattern until one exercise in each row has been completed.
Closure
Ask students to do a think-pair-share to identify one cardiorespiratory endurance, one muscular endurance, and one flexibility exercise
Which activities were the most challenging for you? What can you do to improve? Which exercises worked on cardiorespiratory endurance? Muscular endurance? Flexibility?
Teaching Tip
Designate an area where students who are unable to find a new partner can go to find one
Assessment
Ask students to identify how each activity they performed in class relates to the development of cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility
Observe student behavior when working with different partners
Variations
Mix exercises for cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular endurance, and flexibility throughout the pyramid instead of organizing them by row Ask students to discuss with their partner which component their chosen exercise works on before starting it
Instead of mixing, use only exercises from one health-related fitness component; for instance, use exercises only for cardiorespiratory endurance to provide a cardio workout
Put muscle names in the pyramid and ask students to complete an exercise that works or stretches a given muscle
Increase or decrease the number of rows depending on how much time you want to spend on the activity
Use a projector and have students go through the exercises by looking at the screen instead of all the handouts
Adaptation and Inclusion
Instead of providing only a single pyramid, allow students to choose from beginner, intermediate, and advanced versions
Include exercises at a variety of levels on each row of the pyramid
Home Extension
Encourage students to participate in this activity outside of class It requires minimal work to perform at home with parents or guardians and siblings
SHAPE America’s comprehensive Physical Best program equips physical educators to teach and assess health-related fitness using standards-based activities that complement any PE curriculum
Long considered the gold standard for teaching fitness education in PE, Physical Best is used in schools and taught in undergraduate PETE programs nationwide
Why Choose Physical Best?
Designed for elementary, middle school and high school settings, Physical Best helps students identify movement opportunities that are personally enjoyable and meaningful
Students gain the knowledge and skills to move with confidence and learn to:
Set personal health-related fitness goals;
Complete self-assessments to monitor progress;
Develop new goals to continue their physical literacy journey
Get Started With Physical Best
Learn more about what sets Physical Best apart!
Explore Resources and Professional Learning
Textbook: Used in undergraduate PETE courses nationwide and trusted by K-12 educators and administrators, this best-selling text has been updated to align with the new SHAPE America National Physical Education Standards It also includes digital access to 250 ready-to-use activities for elementary and secondary settings.
Workshops: Two all-new interactive Physical Best workshops (Health-Related Fitness in PE and Goal-Setting in PE) equip teachers with practical strategies to enhance health-related fitness instruction and assessment in ways that are effective and relevant for today’s students. Available as half-day sessions, they can also be combined into a full-day Physical Best training for K-12 teams and districts
Certificate Exam: This two-hour, multiplechoice test provides educators with a way to demonstrate competence in health-related fitness education instruction and assessment. The exam is also frequently used in PETE programs as an assessment tool or extra credit opportunity for classes that use the Physical Best textbook.
Study Guide: This guide supports preparation for the Physical Best Specialist Certificate Exam Perfect for PETE students and K-12 teachers using the latest edition of the Physical Best text, as well as certificate holders nearing renewal.
