Four Lesson Plans for Activities Involving “Tag/Chase/Flee”

LESSON 1

“Sheep and Fox”
Intended for grade levels K-2
Equipment: None; Open Area

Objectives: Watching out for other players, running safely in crowded area, tagging, dodging, and reacting quickly to verbal cues

How to Instruct: Line students up on one end of gym. These players are designated as “sheep”. One student is selected as the fox. The fox begins the game by naming off times. The time equals the number of steps taken by the sheep towards the fox (4 o’clock = 4 steps). When fox says mid-night, the sheep run to other end of the gym. If fox tags sheep the sheep become foxes also. The last sheep left is the winner and the next fox in the game. Baseline of other gym is considered a safety zone.

Cues:
Don’t get caught on purpose
Run safely
Pay attention to times

LESSON 2

“Smurfs”
Intended for grade levels 1-6
Equipment: None; Open Area

Objectives: Run, dodge, and tag

How to Instruct: Two students are selected as “smurfs”. The rest of the class lines up at the endline. The “smurfs” pick a magic word that makes the rest of the class run to the opposite side of the gym. The point of the game is to have the “smurfs” tag the other players before they reach the other side. Students that get tagged are frozen. Students that run by the frozen players can be tagged and frozen in place too. In the end, the last person to get tagged is the new “smurf” for the next game. The frozen people may not move their feet, only arms to tag.

Cues:
Tag, your frozen
Don’t get touched by smurf
Make it to baseline safely

LESSON 3

“Cowboys and Indians”
Intended for grades K-3
Equipment: None

Objectives: Safely running in a crowded area, dodging, tagging, reaction to verbal cues

How to Instruct: Class is divided into two teams (cowboys and Indians). Teams are lined up on opposite side of the gym. Cowboys face away from Indians. Indians sneak up on the cowboys. When teacher thinks that the Indians are close enough to the cowboys, he/she yells “Here come the Indians!” The cowboys then turn around and chase the Indians back to their reservation. The tagged Indians become cowboys. Next round, the cowboys sneak up on the Indians and vice versa. Game ends when time limit is up and/or until all players are on one team.

Rules: No pushing, diving, and putting obstacles in the activity

Cues:
Safely tag others
Respond to Cue
Dodge/tag opponents

LESSON 4

“Cats in Corner”
Intended for grades 1-6
Equipment: None

Objectives: Safely running in a crowded area, dodging, tagging, being honest

How to Instruct: Class is divided into four groups and one person is the “it”. Each group gets into the corner of the gym. The corners are the safe areas. To begin, the “it” screams “cats in the corner!” This is the signal for players to run to another corner before being tagged by the “it”. Those who are tagged are also “its” for the next round. The last player to be tagged is the winner and is the “it” for the next game.

Suggestions: Make harder by having all players go to the same corner or have a particular order they have to go in.

Cues: Run safely
Be honest if tagged
Dodge the “it”

References: Ideas and suggestions taken from Website: www.mrgym.com