Teacher: Samantha Frye Subject: Link Tag Grade Level: 2nd-5th

Overall Goal of Lesson: To improve physical fitness while learning to work together as a team and in pairs to keep the
tagger from catching the runner. This game encourages the students to improve team work and communication.

Instructional Objectives: By the end of this game students should be able to:
1. Effectively communicate and work as a team
2. Think on the spot and improve their reflexes

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS) & ELPS: Key Vocabulary: Link, runner, tagger, partner, take off,
116.2 B (1&6-7) direction change, communicating

Higher Order Questions: Have you ever done an activity that required you to work together? How do you effectively
communicate? What does it mean to have quick reflexes? What can you do to be a better teammate?

Student Activities: (Keep in mind the following: Scaffolding, Independent or Cooperative activities, Groupings,
Reading, Writing, Listening, Hands-On/Minds-On, Connections to previous knowledge, etc.

This is an activity that requires the students to be quick on their feet, and be aware. They will be working on their active
listening skills, their reflexes, and their motor skills all while playing a game that keeps them engaged and excited.

Modifications/ELL Strategies Anticipatory Activity for Lesson:

For special needs children it would be ideal to Warm up by jogging laps in the gym, cool down by walking laps, and
fast walk instead of run, and for bigger groups standing and sitting leg stretches.
make groups of three instead of pairs.

Time Teacher Input/Lesson Activity: I will pair off the students at random by counting one two, one two, one
two. (For bigger groups I will count off by three’s). I will then take one pair and designate one as the
tagger and one as the runner. The rest of the pairs will then link the inside arm, and spread around the
gym and stand. The tagger will then chase the runner. The runner will run around and find a pair and
10min link arms with one in the pair. The student who was not just linked onto by the runner, then becomes the
runner. The tagger will stay the tagger until he/she can catch the runner, and then they will switch. All
the other pairs will stand still. Four cones will be used, one on each corner, to mark the boundaries of
the game. If the runner leaves bounds, they are automatically the tagger.

10min After the students play this for a while, I will then switch the game up. The students will no longer be in
pairs and will spread around the gym individually. I will choose one student to be the tagger. The tagger will
“tag” other students by linking arms with them, and then both will become taggers. This is will continue until
one student is left. This student wins, and will start the next game as the tagger. Four cones will still mark the
boundaries of the game. If any of the runners leave the bounds, they become one of the taggers and will have to
link up with the others.

5min

Modeling: I will model how the game works using 3 students to help me. I will have two of the students
model how to link arms, and one student acting as the tagger. I will then model how to link arms with a
5min pair, to become “safe” and that the student on the opposite end is now the runner. I will model the
second game after the first is completed.
Guided Practice: I will have students pair up, designate the tagger/runner, then have the kids walk
5min through how the game is worked until ever student understand. Same with the second game.

Independent Practice: The warm up will serve as independent practice as the kids can practice their take
5min offs, and direction changes.
 Lesson Closure: I will have all students sit in their designated spot in the gym and have one student
5min gather the four cones.

Assessment Methods/Strategies: I will be able to determine whether or not the students grasp the
5min concept of the game while watching, if needed I will stop and reteach the game. I will watch to see if the
students were actively paying attention, and communicating within the pairs.
Resources (supplies, equipment, software, etc.): This game will include four cones placed at the corners of the solid
black lines to indicate what is in bounds and out of bounds.

Reflection: This is a fun and exciting game that will allow students to run around the gym while keeping them engaged
in a strategic activity. Kids will enjoy themselves and it is a fun twist on a classic game of tag. It involves minimal
equipment and minimal instructional period so the children will have most of the period to be active.