Below is a lesson plan for a Cops & Robbers, a game that I know my kids love to play in their elementary school physical ed. class.  I think it's important to note that even though many of the games and activities elementary school children play are basic, they should still fulfill state physical education standards (in my case, the standards for IL).  Any recommendations would be helpful.  Thanks

1st Grade Lesson Plan – Games &Activities

Instructor: Bernard Barbaric

Activity Name

 Cops and Robbers

Subject

 Physical Education

Grade Level

 1st Grade

Introduction

 Cops and Robbers is a tag/freeze game can that kids of all ages can enjoy.  The premise is simple.  Students are either assigned to be a Cop or a Robber (with 1 cop to every 4 Robbers).  Each cop has a ring (i.e. handcuffs) that they hold onto, as well as a designated home-base.  When the teacher blows the whistle to begin, the Cops attempt to catch the Robbers by tagging them.  If a Cop succeeds in catching a Robber, the Cop leads the Robber, by both holding onto the ring, back to the Cop's home base.  The Robbers can re-enter the game after they have completed the designated activity for that game (i.e. 10 jumping jacks, 10 kickball air tosses, 10 one-legged hops, 10 seconds of basketball dribbling, etc...).  Each game lasts 4 minutes.  This should provide ample time for each student to get a turn being the Cop.

Discussion

 Cops and Robbers is a game that students of all ages enjoy.  It is a simple game that involves a small dose of competition, but a great amount of physical activity with the running, sprinting, and changing directions.  Students also get the opportunity to practice a specific sport skill (i.e. basketball dribbling), when they have been caught by a Cop.

Students are highly entertained with this game.  By keeping the games to short 4 minutes durations, it allows for quick breaks in between while the Cops and Robbers rotate positions.

Performance Objectives

• Students will be able to make quick, impromptu decisions on how to best avoid getting caught by the Cop, and how to use their speed and judgment to catch the Robbers.
• Students will remain physically active during the game.  They will have break times spread throughout the class.
• Students will participate in fair play by tagging each other gently and by only targeting one student at a time.
• Students will practice spatial awareness amongst themselves.
• Students will have fun and enjoy themselves.

Correlation to K-12 Learning Standards (IL - Subject - Physical Development & Health)

Standards

IL.19 

GOAL: Acquire movement skills and understand concepts needed to engage in health-enhancing physical activity.

IL.19.A 

STANDARD: Demonstrate physical competency in individual and team sports, creative movement and leisure and work-related activities.

IL.19.A.1 

> Demonstrate control when performing fundamental locomotor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills.

IL.19.B.1 

> Understand spatial awareness and relationships to objects and people.

IL.19.C 

STANDARD: Demonstrate knowledge of rules, safety and strategies during physical activity.

Plan & Sequence

Warm up - (3 minutes)

Immediately upon entering class students check the whiteboard to find out the daily warm-up activity (jumping jacks).  Students spread out and start the activities by themselves.

Instruction and Demonstration - (3 minutes)

• Students will sit in their designated lines (4 rows of 5 students)
• Review the rules of Cops and Robbers:
  • Each Cop has to gently tag a Robber.  Cop’s cannot target a Robber at the same time.
  • When tagged, the Robber holds onto the Cop's ring and gets lead back to the Cop's home base designated by a cone.
  • To be released back into the game, the Robber must perform the designated activity at the Cop’s home base.
• Have students demonstrate the activities (Game 1 = 10 jumping jacks, Game 2 = dribble the basketball for 15 seconds, Game 3 = throw and catch a kickball in the air 10 times, Game 4 = hop on 1 leg 10 times).
• Randomly assign 4 Cops.  The remaining students are Robbers

Teaching Cues

•  
  • Listen closely
  • Breath through your nose (very effective to get students to quiet down)

Activity - (20 minutes)

• Play Game #1 - (4-5 minutes)
  • Blow the whistle to start game 1
  • Blow the whistle to end game 1
  • Quick break

Teaching Cues

•  
  • Stretch those arms/legs (for jumping jacks)!
  • Give yourself space
  • Keep moving!

• Play Game #2 - (4-5 minutes)

•  
  • Have students who have not been a Cop raise their hands.  Have the current Cops hand the ring to a classmate raising their hand.
  • Blow the whistle to start game 2
  • Blow the whistle to end game 2
  • Quick break 

Teaching Cues

•  
  • Head up (for basketball dribbling)
  • Keep moving!

• Play Game #3 - (4-5 minutes)
  • Have students who have not been a Cop raise their hands.  Have the current Cops hand the ring to a classmate raising their hand.
  • Blow the whistle to start game 3
  • Blow the whistle to end game 3
  • Quick break 

Teaching Cues

•  
  • Keep your eye on the kickball (for throwing and catching to yourself)
  • Hug the ball when it hits your arms
  • Keep moving!

• Play Game #4 - (4-5 minutes)
  • Have students who have not been a Cop raise their hands.  Have the current Cops hand the ring to a classmate raising their hand.
  • Blow the whistle to start game 4
  • Blow the whistle to end game 4

Teaching Cues

•  
  • Spread your wings like an airplane (for balancing while hopping on one leg)
  • Keep moving!

Cooldown and Stretch - (3 minutes)

• Have students sit on the floor when the last game ends
• Conduct stretches (toe touches, butterfly, overhead tricep extensions)
• Discuss benefits of exercise and spatial awareness
• Dismiss class

Equipment

• 4 cones
• 4 colored rings
• 8 basketballs
• 8 kickballs
• Tape to outline 'safe zones' (if necessary)

Safety Conditions

Students will be instructed to tag each other gently.  Spatial awareness will be focused on as a safety measure.

Adaptation for Special Learners

Students with physical disabilities can be paired with a Cop to assist catching the Robbers.  These students will also have the opportunity to perform the activities for each game when they catch a Robber.  Students with disabilities will also have the opportunity to become a Robber.  When this occurs, there will be a designated 'safety zone' that the student can step into (a small box marked out with tape) where they will be safe from being tagged.