emergency lesson plans for physical education

The Ultimate Emergency Physical Education Substitute Lesson Plans and Sub Binder

• Phys Ed Planning

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Writing physical education substitute plans for your class can be a pain in the neck. It’s even worse to unexpectedly make plans for a substitute PE teacher.

Have you ever woken up in the middle of the night thinking, “How can I be this sick when I was fine a couple of hours ago?”, but then immediately realized, “Now I have to find a guest teacher and spend hours making a lesson plan for them”. Which is worse, the sickness or the sub plans?

There have definitely been times in my teaching career that I went into work because it was easier than writing my sub plans. 

Today I will give you the system I set up at the beginning of the year, so that you will never have to spend more than 10 minutes making physical education sub plans ever again! 

Want to save time making your emergency physical education sub plans? Click here to purchase my Physical Education substitute binder and sub plans bundle.

Types of Substitute Plans

There are two main types of subs plans: Planned sub plans and Emergency sub plans.

Planned Physical Education Sub Plans

These are generally the guest teachers plan that you think of. Some examples of planned sub plans are when you are missing a day because of a doctor’s appointment, your child’s graduation, or any other situation where you pre-emptively book a sub for an upcoming day. 

In these situations, you can often set up your gym for a substitute teacher to come in. You can grab the equipment you will need for the day and leave it by the door. You can print off sub plans and leave them on your desk. You are able to leave the school day feeling encouraged that your substitute will have a successful day.

Emergency Physical Education Sub Plans

As the name would suggest, emergency physical education sub plans are used in an emergency situation. Some examples of when to use emergency sub plans are: a family member has become very sick or passed away, you unexpectedly end up in the hospital, or some other major and unplanned event occurs.

These situations are a bit trickier because often the events causing the emergency are taking your entire attention and you don’t have the brain space to spend a couple of hours writing up your physical education sub plans.

At the beginning of each school year, my district requires all teachers to create 3 days-worth of emergency sub plans that our admin keeps in the office in case of an emergency. If your district doesn’t require you to have emergency physical education sub plans, it is still a good idea to get them ready because you never know what is going to happen throughout the year.

What Is a Physical Education Substitute Binder?

Along with my physical education sub plans, I always have a substitute binder. A sub binder contains all of the important information that a guest teacher will need to have a successful day. Once your sub binder is done at the beginning of year, it will stay (mostly) the same and won’t need a lot of effort.

I set up my physical education substitute binder at the start of the year and leave it on my desk whenever I have a scheduled guest teacher. At all other times I keep my sub binder on the shelf above my desk and I make sure to write its location in my sub plans.

What Goes In a Physical Education Substitute Binder?

Get yourself a binder or duo-tang to place all of your documents into. I recommend using plastic sheet protectors because you will want to keep the same documents for every guest teacher you have throughout the year. Sheet protectors also make it much easier to switch out the documents if you have changes to your seating arrangements, students are added to or removed from your class, etc.

• Welcome Letter: A brief thank you to your guest teacher and explanation of the substitute binder
• Feedback Form: Place the feedback form at the front of your binder, so that your sub can easily let you know how the day went
• Contact Information: Include instructions on how to use the phone. Also include the phone numbers to the main office, partner teachers, other PE spaces, etc.
• School Information: include information about the bells, technology policies, etc.
• Emergencies: Include any emergency policies you have in your school – ex. Fire drills, lockdowns, bomb threat – don’t forget to include procedures if the class is in different PE spaces (ex. Fitness Center, Aux Gym, etc.)
• Schedules: Include the bell schedule 
• Be sure to include the seating plan you use for each class
• Visual Attendance: If possible, include visual attendance sheets for your substitute so they can put a face to a name
• Student Information: Include important student information for all classes including helpful students, students to watch, alternate schedules, medical, other information (such as “Student L uses pronouns they/them” or “Student J does not change for class”)
• Equipment: Include which keys open your equipment rooms, who cleans up the equipment, any information about first aid
• Expectations: Include your gym rules, how you get students’ attentions, water/washroom procedures, clothing expectations, behavior, etc.
• Procedures: What are your procedures for taking attendance, making teams, ending classes, assemblies, etc.
• Technology: Include information about any technology you use in your space (including the fitness center and health classroom if you use them). This could include heart rate monitors, sound system, walkie-talkie, iPads, computer, projector, etc.
• Favorite Games: In addition to my sub plans, I include some of my students’ favourite games. That way if the lesson isn’t working, my guest teacher will have backup plans.

What Goes In a Physical Education Sub Plan?

The goal of a sub plan is to provide the substitute teacher with all they need to make the day as normal as possible. The best way to do that is to make sure that your guest teacher is as prepared as possible. Here is what you need to include in every sub plan:

• Detailed and Specific Lesson Plans: Sometimes I luck out and get an awesome PE sub, but a lot of the time I don’t have a Phys Ed specialist in for me. Design your lessons so that each activity requires minimal set-up and preparation, so students spend their time playing, not waiting. Be as detailed as possible, because your guest teacher may not know how to play the games you have included for the day.
• Learning Activities: Set up each day to include 4 – 6 different activities (drills, games, relays, etc.) to keep your students engaged and motivated to develop their skills in a fun and high-paced environment.
• Diagrams: Accompany each learning activity with a diagram to help the guest teacher set up the activities
• Key Teaching Points: Accompany each learning activity with key teaching points to help your substitute improve form and technique in your students, even if they have very little Phys Ed teaching experience. 
• Key Questions: Include specific debrief questions to allow students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson.
• Safety Considerations: “It’s all fun and games until someone gets hurt”. The safety considerations provide specific areas that the students/teacher should be aware of to prevent injuries
• Time: Include how long each activity should be completed for

I like to create detailed lesson plans for all of my units, so that I never have to worry about making a sub plan when I have a guest teacher, I can just print off my regular lesson plan. 

Read More: Your Guide to Making Physical Education Lesson Plans

Preparing Emergency Physical Education Sub Plans

Emergency sub plans are slightly different from planned substitute plans because you need to prepare your plans for a variety of situations. What if you are outside and you only have indoor activities planned? What if have a high-prep activity planned, but you don’t want to leave that for your sub?

Prepare a number of emergency sub plans, so that you can have a plan ready no matter what the class situation is.

In a perfect world, once you have prepped your emergency sub plans, at the beginning of the year, teach your students all of the games you are leaving in your emergency sub plans. This way students are familiar with the activities in the event that you have to leave unexpectedly.

However, that can’t always be the case. Because of this, create emergency sub plans that are very low-prep and very detailed so that any sub can have a successful day.

As well, you may have the most organized equipment room in the world, but sometimes substitutes still have a hard time finding what they need. Design your lessons to have a minimal amount of equipment. It can be helpful to always leave the equipment that you need for your emergency sub plans next to the equipment room door in a bin labeled, “Emergency Substitute Equipment”. That way it will be very easy for your substitute to find what they need.

You can make your own Emergency Sub Plans and Substitute binder, or you can purchase my ready-made Emergency Sub Plans and Editable Substitute Binder on my Teachers Pay Teachers store. This makes taking a day off so easy!

My Emergency Sub Plans and Editable Substitute Binder includes:

Pre-Made Emergency Sub Plans

• 5 Hour-long detailed and specific lesson plans that are ready to go from printer to gym or field. Each activity requires minimal set-up and preparation, so students spend their time playing, not waiting.
• Learning Activities: Each day includes 4 – 6 different activities (drills, games, relays, etc.) to keep your students engaged and motivated to develop their skills in a fun and high-paced environment.
• Diagrams: Each learning activity is accompanied by a diagram to help the guest teacher set up the activities
• Key Teaching Points: Each learning activity includes a number of key teaching points to help your substitute improve form and technique in your students, even if they have very little Phys Ed teaching experience. Diagrams and/or visuals are provided to assist with setup and skill technique.
• Key Questions: Each debrief provides specific questions to allow students to reflect on what they learned during the lesson.

Editable Sub Binder

• 5 Cover Page Options
• 3 Binder Spine Sizes (1″, 1.5″, and 2″)
• Welcome Letter
• Sub Feedback Form
• School Contact Information
• School Information
• Emergency Procedures (when in the gym or elsewhere)
• Class Rosters
• Movable Attendance Seating Plans
• Student Information
• Expectations
• Favourite Games / Time Fillers
• Blank Templates

You can shop Emergency Sub Plans and Editable Substitute Binder by clicking here.

What are your go-to activities when you have a substitute? Send me a message over on Instagram @teachingpak and let me know!

I can’t wait to hear from you!

Have fun out there!

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Substitute Plans for Elementary PE

One of the things I worried about the most my first year of teaching PE was what to do if I needed a substitute. 

This was also in the time of COVID, when we were bouncing back and forth between in-person and hybrid, so even I wasn't sure what we would be doing one week to the next.

No matter the climate, having solid substitute plans are an important part of getting set up for PE-- it will alleviate stress when you're probably already stressed enough with whatever is taking you from school that day, and allow you to rest, recover, and heal knowing your students are in good hands.

Types of Substitute Plans

There are two main categories of sub plans: Planned and Emergency . 

Planned is when you know you will be gone in advance. You can create plans that are continuous with what you have been working on, you may even get the chance to set our equipment before you go, and you can leave specific notes to the sub, who is maybe even someone you chose in advance.

Ideally, all of our sub days would be planned. They still require lots of work, but at least you are healthy when writing them and can get everything squared away before you go.

Emergency plans are some of the trickiest to plan, but an essential part of your prep for the year. These are used on days when you or a family member is unexpectedly sick. Maybe you need to be out of school last-minute. You don't have time to set up, you have no idea who will take your classes, and you don't have the energy or brain power to figure it out the night before or morning of.

You will inevitably need both types of plans at some point during the year, so it's best to have a rough outline for Planned absences and a folder or binder with Emergency plans all ready to go as early as possible in the school year.

What All Sub Plans Need

No matter if it's Planned or Emergency, there are certain things that all sub plans need.

This includes:

• rosters for each class (ideally with photos)
• squad/small group lists
• how to get the class' attention/transition procedures (I have an electronic whistle which is great when a sub comes since they can use it, too!)
• daily schedule
• class schedule
• helpful students (2 per class)
• students who need some extra behavior support
• students with health concerns
• what to do if a student gets hurt
• Nurse Pass & Health Room procedure (I also include a small baggie with extra masks and bandaids to give to students if needed)
• Office Pass
• Bathroom Pass & procedure
• Water procedure
• emergency plans (fire/tornado/lockout/lockdown)
• building phone numbers
• where to find materials for games (if any)
• where the adult bathroom and faculty lounge are 
• school rules & consequences (school forms, if necessary)
• PE rules & consequences
• rewards (stamps or stickers) for students
• line up procedures at the end of class

I also include a sheet of small stickers for them to pass out to students at the end of class. I want kids to feel excited about a sub and know there are positive reward for a job well done when I am away.

Lessons to Add to Sub Plans

These next ideas will differ based on whether you are writing Planned or Emergency plans, but it's important to include the following:

• games and activities
• Mindful Moment/reflection script

Not only do they not know where they all get stored in the gym, so setting up could be a real hassle on emergency sub days, but they probably don't feel comfortable managing so much equipment with K-5 students all day.

Because of that, whether I have planned absences or not, I try to limit equipment to just the basics and keep the materials easy to find and easier to manage.

Games & Activities for Sub Days

Simple but fun games are always on the menu for sub days. 

You want to ensure that there aren't complex rules or excessive competition, both of which make it overly challenging for the students to understand and the sub to manage.

Equipment should be easy and safe, if any is used at all.

Whole-class games are best so that all students are engaged the whole class. Standing around waiting for long periods of time can quickly become a management nightmare.

Making games consistent across K-5 (with accommodations for older and younger grades) makes it easy for the sub to teach all day and also works in your favor, as students will remember the sub games from year to year.

So what games and activities work?

Some of our favorites include tag, relays, and challenges.

I'm linking some helpful videos by one of my favorite YouTubers, PhysEdGames :

• Top 10 Tag Games
• Team Memory
• Pool Noodle Relays
• Pizza Tag (or any type of Sharks & Minnows game)
• Steal the Bacon
• Any of these 12 Fun PE Games

Teach the Sub Games

Most of these games I reserve specifically for the substitutes, but I also teach them during the first few days of class at the start of the year.

Not only are they simple and easy to organize, they keep everyone involved and teach students what these games are called and how they are played correctly.

That way, if and when a sub is called in, the kids already know how to play the game the sub announces.

I will also sprinkle these games in from time to time throughout the year, because what they learn in August is hard to recall in February!

My recommendation is to give the YouTube links to the substitutes in your sub plans. We submit out plans over Google Docs, so inserting a direct link is helpful. I have found with most things PE that it is easier to watch and understand than to write out the details and try to visualize it in your head.

If you have any specific changes or clarifications to the rules, be sure to add those into the plans so you can ensure they have what they need to successfully lead the students. 

Having Emergency sub plans & a template for Planned days away ready at the start of the year can help alleviate additional stress when the time comes for you to be out from school.

I hope these ideas gave you a springboard to creating your own plans and please share any of your favorite sub games and activities in the comments below. Bonus points if they are K-5 and require a small amount of equipment!

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Free Lesson Plans

Spark sample lesson plans, the following pages include a collection of free spark physical education and physical activity lesson plans. if you’re searching for lesson plans based on inclusive, fun pe-pa games or innovative new ideas, click on one of the links below..

Snakes and Lizards Lesson Plan

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Task Cards (Spanish)

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Fun Station Cards

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Great Games

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Building Blocks

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Beanbag Bonanza

Station Play Lesson Plan

Station Cards

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State Lists

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Fitness Relay State Cards

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Me Activities

ME: INSIDE (K-2)

ME: OUTSIDE (3-5)

We Activities

WE: INSIDE (3-5)

WE: OUTSIDE (K-2)

3 Activities

3: INSIDE (3-5)

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5 Simple Tips for Creating a Sub Plan that Works!

I was proud of them.  They were detailed, yet simple.  Would it take a little time to read them?  Yes, but definitely no longer than previous  lesson plans I had written.  I soon realized that it was slightly larger than I had originally hoped (it was multiple pages), however still very easy to read.  I had spent a great deal of time on them, so there was no turning back now.  As is the usual routine when one of us is absent, I wanted to fully inform and consult with my co-worker about what I needed done.  All I would need from him is to let my substitute have access to the equipment and for him to keep an eye on the person.   So,  I handed him the papers, a gleeful, large smile plastered on my face.  I intently watched him skim through them.  What seemed like a decent amount of time (probably too long a period), he glanced up at me.  

“Donn, are you sure that you want to leave this?” He asked.  I became shocked and slightly annoyed at his question.  “Why not”, I retorted.  “I know it seems like a lot, however, if I don’t leave detailed PE sub plans, my kids will be missing a chunk of my unit.  I don’t want them to be way behind.  It is simple to follow…”

“Yea it’s easy to understand.”  He looked at me with the hint of skepticism.  “However you know how messed up things can be when it comes to subs,” he warned.  He was right.  My co-worker was referring to the many occasions where problems and snags with substitutes seemed all too common when one of us is out.

I waved off the suggestion.  “That shouldn’t be an issue.  I specifically put in Subfinder” (the computer program we use to request and/or arrange for a substitute) “for Ms. *****, and she was available.  No problem.”  This particular sub was well schooled in how to handle children, and one of the few, very competent educators suited for the gym.

He didn’t push the issue any further.  He told me that it would not be a problem, wished me the best of luck, and each went our merry way…

…Fast forward to me coming back to work.  I arrived early to get ready for the day.  In walks my co-worker with a smile on his face.  “So, did you miss me,” I asked.

He laughed, “Not really,” he kiddingly replied.  Then his look turned quickly to concern.  “However your PE sub plans weren’t exactly followed the way you wanted them to.  Too many issues happened.”

He proceeded to explain that on the first day, one of our buses was in an accident, and children would be arriving to school late.  There was a need for additional staff for bus duty, and he needed to go out to help.  Apparently at that same time, the main office became extremely chaotic when the secretarial staff learned that too many teachers needed coverage for an in-district meeting, and coverage was short.   A different substitute, not the one that was scheduled to be me, arrived approximately five minutes before my first class was to arrive.  This person, who now had very little time to read through and organize the equipment properly decided to do a simple game of kickball instead.  It apparently was going so well for her that she decided to do that activity the entire day!  On the second day, another person arrived to fill my position.  It turned out this would be the sub’s first time being in the gymnasium, and felt too overwhelmed being in dress shoes and a business suit for what my plans were dictating.

What a disaster.  After all that time and effort it took, my kids were unable to do what I had hoped.  This debacle taught me some valuable lessons and techniques when creating PE sub plans for the future that I will share below.

5 Simple Tips for Creating PE Sub Plans:

• Still add in detail to write-ups, like diagrams; however keep the games “short and sweet”.  If it is takes too long to explain or write a certain activity, scrap it.
•  We all have a few activities that are simple to set-up and use minimal equipment.  Select games that keep students engaged and moving. Try to select activities that students have been taught already, so it isn’t completely new to them.
• If you want to continue with your current unit, Keep It Simple. Try using short, simple instructions for tasks that are easy to perform. Also, include activities or skills that students have already learned
• Keeping pertinant information in an easy-to-find place means it will be seen. Ideas of what to include: schedule, necessary books or tools (attendance, discipline log, etc.), bathroom passes, pertinent student information (students with special needs, medical info, etc.)
• ​​Provide a squeeze or electronic whistle for the substitute. In my experience, subs rarely come with one, and since students tend to act differently on Sub days, it absolutely comes in handy.

One Response

I can totally relate to you write up. Right now I have a co worker out until April and my principal wants me to write things up. If I don’t provide something it’s going to be crazy in our department. Our classes are too large to put together 50 kids each and no gym. So I’m going nuts right now. School start Monday and I cannot even think about my class and we have a new teacher in our department who is looking at me for guidance.

Thank you, Angela

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P.E. Lessons

Physical education prepares children for an active and healthy life while improving self discipline and reducing stress. This section includes PE lessons from kindergarten through high school spanning different skill levels and objectives. Lessons are categorized by grade for easy retrieval. These lessons were created by real teachers working in schools across the United States. The section will continue to grow as more teachers like you share your lesson plans. We encourage you! Share your lessons plans Teacher.org, contact us .

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P.e. environmental lesson plans, food chain tag.

Students will learn a brief background about energy transfer between the sun, producers, primary consumers, and secondary consumers. ½ of the students are primary consumers (plants) and ¼ of the students are primary consumers (rabbits) and ¼ of the students are secondary consumers (hawks).

P.E. P.E. Lesson Plans

Aces and exercise.

Using a deck of playing cards, the students will pick the number of reps for various exercises.  

And Freeze!

Students will practice listening skills and basic physical concepts as required in physical education class. Students will also work on balance and coordination.

Animal Laps

Combining information about the speed of animals, the students will run laps in the gym or outdoors.

Basketball Relay

Students will practice teamwork, dribbling, and shooting a basketball.

Bear Hunt Obstacle Course

This plan will combine reading with balance and coordination skills to allow students to navigate a simple obstacle course.

Boom Over Movement Game

Students will play a game in which they need to change direction quickly. Students are to pretend that they are on a sailboat that is in the middle of a storm. They will have to run and change direction based on verbal commands and duck quickly to avoid being hit by the imaginary boom.

Butterfly Stretches

This lesson is designed to help students learn the importance and reasons for exercise through multiple activities and discussions.

Coordination Course

This plan will allow students to practice coordination while staying physical.

Multi-Ball Basketball

The student will participate in a game of basketball using various sizes of available balls.

Music Movement

The students will move to the music based on its beat, words, tune, and other variables.

On Top of Spaghetti

Pe immigration.

The students will research games and activities from other countries to share during a PE class.

Pass It Off

This lesson will allow students to practice passing, dribbling, and bouncing skills using basketballs

Plate Aerobics

Students will practice basic aerobics moves while trying to stay positioned on paper plates, this aids in coordination.

Race to the Answer

This lesson will allow students to practice teamwork, basic math skills, and get exercise through a relay race. Note: Problems/difficulty level can be altered by grade

Ride ‘Em Cowboy/girl

This lesson will allow students to practice gross motor skills.  

Students will practice listening skills and basic physical concepts as required in physical education class.

Ski to the Finish Line

This plan will allow students to practice coordination while staying physical. Students will demonstrate moving straight, backwards, and in a zig-zag pattern.

The New PE Class

The students will create a PE activity to share and demonstrate to peers.

This lesson will allow students to practice teamwork and trust building, as well as working on directionality for younger students.

What Time is it FOX?

The students play a game where they practice different movements including jumping, galloping, skipping, running, jogging, leaping, and walking. Based on National Physical Education Standards, students should have been learning these skills for the last 4 years.

P.E. Science Lesson Plans

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Substitute Teacher Guidelines and Information for Physical Educators

My philosophy about physical education.

Include here a brief statement describing how you view physical education. This may include your philosophy. This gives the substitute an idea about the importance of physical education. May want to include a copy of our professions National Standards or the developmentally appropriate documents (published by SHAPE America) as well.

My Physical Education Rules, Rewards and Consequences

• Always do what you are supposed to be doing
• Stop, look and listen on the signal

Tell the sub what you do if there are problems in the classroom either with one child or the class as a whole (e.g., warnings, time-outs, class sits quietly, etc.)

My Physical Education Class Signals

• Stop signal-voice ("freeze")
• Other signal (train whistle, drum, clap)
• Start signal ('Go")
• Visual signals (hand raised in the air, signal for return to listening place)

Protocols for Entering and Exiting the Activity Room

• Do you have a designated line leader? If so, write down who that person is for that week or talk to the classroom teacher.
• Do the students start with an instant activity ?
• Do the students go to an assigned seat in the activity room?

My Daily Schedule and Class Lists

• Provide an easily read daily schedule.
• Include the times for each class, the grade level and the classroom teacher's name. Include any duty (bus, hall, lunch, after school, etc.) you must perform. Be precise with this information so they know where to go and what time (e.g., recess duty is on the playground near Mrs. Smiths room from 11:30 - 12:00).
• Include what time and where you eat your lunch.
• Include copies of your class lists or seating charts.
• Have the class lists clearly marked with time of physical education class, teacher's name and grade level.

Proper Physical Education Class Attire

Indicate to the substitute what you expect the students to be wearing. Include the types of shoes you allow and whether the students change into uniform. If they change, you must also include information on locker room procedures. If you have a used sneaker bin for folks who didn't bring sneaks then explain how that works as well.

Bathroom, Fire, and Emergency Procedures

• Tell the substitute how you handle bathroom requests, what to do if there is a fire drill or emergency within the gym.
• Tell the substitute where your emergency call button is. Let them know what to do if a student gets out of control.
• Provide a map of the emergency exits and fire extinguishers.

Special Needs Students and Aides

Indicate to the substitute that this information is confidential and let the substitute know of any special needs children and what the aide should be doing with the child. I always try to let my aides know if I will not be in school. They can be a tremendous help to the substitute teacher.

Equipment Location and Procedures

• Where is your equipment located?
• How do you distribute the equipment to your students. Do you have a child or children designated to help you with equipment. If so, leave their names or ask the class.
• At the end of the day, where does the equipment go?
• Do you allow students to put it away?

General Expectations for the Activity Room

• I wait until all students are looking at me.
• I wait until the students are back in their listening spots.
• I check for understanding after giving directions.
• I expect students to be respectful of each other and will stop class if they are not. I use cooperative groups.

Lastly, make sure to provide a list of the students in each class who would be helpful to a substitute teacher.

Lessons Plans for Each of the Grades

Additional ideas.

• May be helpful to videotape a lesson of yours so a substitute can take this home to see exactly how a class with you teaching it works.
• In addition to writing this information down, you may wnat to do a videotape of you speaking this information so a sub can take home and watch.

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