Are you one of those PE teachers who often finds yourself juggling double classes during the week? Managing large groups of energetic students can be quite the challenge, especially when it comes to keeping things organized and ensuring everyone has enough personal space. I’ve been there, and I thought I’d share a helpful organizational idea that’s made a big difference in our gym.
The Simple Solution: Floor Tape X’s
All you need is a couple of rolls of floor tape from Gopher Sport—two colors of your choice. We use 1-inch wide floor tape, which seems to work best for visibility and durability.
Here’s how to set it up:
- Mark Off the X’s:
- On both sides of the mid-court line, mark off five rows of five X’s, totaling 25 X’s per side.
- Use one color for one side and the second color for the other side. For example, you might have red X’s on the left side and blue X’s on the right.
- Spacing is Key:
- Position each X about three feet apart from one another. This ensures enough personal space for each student, which is especially important when you’re dealing with larger groups.
- Assign Classes to Colors:
- Assign each class to a color side for the month or even the entire year. This consistency helps students quickly know where they should go upon entering the gym.
Why This Works So Well:
- Instant Organization: With the colored X’s, students know exactly where to go as soon as they walk in. No more chaos or confusion at the start of class.
- Easy Transition Between Activities:
- Cooperative Games: If you’re running two-sided cooperative games, your students are already in position. This saves time and keeps the flow of the lesson smooth.
- Single Class Divisions: Even if you have a single class, you can easily divide students into teams right from the entry door based on the colors.
- Station Days: Each color side can have different learning activities or stations. For example, the red side might focus on dribbling skills while the blue side works on passing.
- Matching Opening/Closing Areas:
- We also match the X colors to our opening and closing squares. This makes it easy for students to transition from our introduction or lesson modeling area to their X’s, and from activity back to closing discussions.
Examples of How to Use This Setup
- Warm-Up Activities: Assign warm-up exercises that students can start independently once they’re on their X. For instance, students on red X’s do jumping jacks while those on blue X’s do high knees.
- Skill Demonstrations: Use the spacing to your advantage when teaching new skills. Each student has enough room to practice without bumping into others.
- Team Building Games: Quickly group students for team activities. Those on red X’s can form one team, and those on blue X’s another.
- Behavior Management: Having assigned spots can help with behavior management. If a student needs a different spot for any reason, it’s easy to adjust without disrupting the entire class.
Organizing double classes doesn’t have to be a headache. With a bit of floor tape and some strategic planning, you can create a structured environment that benefits both you and your students. Not only does this system save time, but it also enhances the learning experience by minimizing confusion and maximizing active participation.
Give it a try! You might find that this simple solution makes your PE classes run more smoothly than ever before.
