Place Value and Heart Rate in Grade 3 Body Systems Unit in PE

Math Integration in PE

We are currently working on a Body Systems unit in grade 3 PE. I have been collaborating with the grade 3 classroom teachers at planning out the best learning experiences possible for our students. In math, the students are learning about place value, so I am doing some math integration this week in my PE classes with grade 3. 

I am preparing them for their summative assessment task which will be a joint effort with their classroom teachers. So, to begin to get them ready for this summative task, I created a place value chart in order to model how to properly record their heart rate. We started off with a couple of high intensity tag games and then gathered as a group to determine their heart rate using a quick and simple 6-second formula (students count the number of heart beats in 6 seconds and add a zero giving them the number of beats per minute).

I modeled how to properly record their heart rate on the place value visual seen in the picture above. In a couple of weeks time, the students will have their own place value charts to record their heart rates on, so it was important that I show them how to do this ahead of time. After a couple of tag games, I had the students break off in pairs and choose any activity that they want. Regardless of activity, the main goal was for the students to get their heart rates into the 'Magic Heart Rate Zone'. I created a visual last week that reinforces what this zone is. I reminded them of this zone today before letting them go off with their partners. 

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I called the class back together three different times to have them determine their heart rate and I again modeled recording this. However, the last two times I called them all together, I chose 2 students to record their times on the place value chart. It worked well to give the students a chance to record and to explain how they were thinking about place value as they recorded their number of beats per minute. I sent a picture of the place value chart to the classroom teachers so that they can print it off to discuss it in their math class. 

Allowing students to choose their activities kept them more engaged and active during the class as they were really into it. I know that modeling how to properly record their heart rate using the place value chart also helped to get them ready for the summative task which will take place on September 24th. On this day we are bringing all of the grade 3 classes together for a health day. I'm looking very forward to seeing how this day goes. What are your experiences with integrating PE into the units of study in the classroom. Can you share some examples on my blog? I would love to hear about it. In the meantime, check out the place value visual from my grade 3 PE class today. Thanks.