PE Rules & Consequences

PE is a time when it's okay for kids to get a little rowdy, but it doesn't mean that there shouldn't be rules and behavior expectations for your time in the gym.  For those of you LUCKY enough to not have PE specialists at your school...(or for those of you who are PE specialists), here are the Rules and Consequences that I've found successful for my sixth graders in the past. I'm sure they'd work just great for any elementary school class.

CLICK HERE to download PE Rules & Consequences Signs.

CLICK HERE to download the Time Out Sign.

I print my signs on card stock and laminate. I also laminate another strip of card stock and staple it across the back so that I can slip my signs onto cones in the gym for quick reminders.


RULES

1. Freeze, Look, & Listen:  The first time I take my class to the gym, I teach them to "freeze". When I blow a whistle, I expect students to turn their feet (and whole body) toward the teacher. Their hands are on their knees and voices are OFF.  If they have a ball, jump rope, etc., they hold their equipment in their in their hands and their ELBOWS are on their knees.  I practice the freeze by having students skip around the gym and blow my whistle.  Be sure to move around the gym yourself and have the kids practice turning to face you. This usually takes about five minutes to perfect - but DON'T stop freezing until you are 100% satisfied with your results! Make them do it over and over and over.
2. Respect Others: This is pretty self-explanatory. I ask the students for suggestions on what this might mean in the gym, and I usually get responses like "playing fair", "following the rules of the game", "being safe", "keeping hands and feet to yourself", "taking good care of the equipment", etc. 
3. Do Your Best: Every student needs to participate in every activity. Even if you have students who are self-conscious, explain that they just need to do their "best"!
4. Have Fun!

CONSEQUENCES

1. Warning/Reminder: Verbal reminder of the rule from the teacher.  These could be our general PE rules or a rule for a specific game or activity.
2. First Time Out: Set up a specific "Time Out Zone".  I usually put a cone in one corner of the gym with one of my TIME OUT SIGNS on it. (CLICK HERE to download Time Out Sign).  Students need to sit and face the corner so they are not distracted by students, and more importantly - not distracting the rest of the class.  For the FIRST Time Out, I allow my students to come back whenever they are ready.  If that means they sit and stand right back up - that's fine, as long as they recommit to following the rules.
3. Second Time Out: When a student breaks a rule and returns to play after their First Time Out, they recommit to following all PE Rules.  However, if the student breaks another rule, he or she must go to Time Out again, and this time - they are stuck there until the end of the period.
4. Student/Teacher Conference: The student is out for the rest of your PE time at the Second Time Out, but if a specific child is getting into Second Time Out EVERY day/week...something else needs to be done.  Talk with your student to find out what is causing behavior problems in the gym and see if you can find another solution!