Body in Motion

Jessica Hannon

Tier 2

Lesson Plan

Muscle Movers Plan

Students will identify major muscle groups and match specific exercises to each, reinforcing understanding of physical activity’s impact on the body through a collaborative fill-in-the-blanks worksheet.

Connecting exercises to muscle groups empowers students to make informed choices about movement, builds health literacy, and supports overall wellness habits.

Audience

6th Grade Small Group

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Group-based, interactive matching.

Materials

Exercise Explorer Slides, and Match the Muscle Worksheet

Prep

Review Materials

5 minutes

• Preview the Exercise Explorer Slides to familiarize yourself with each activity and corresponding muscle group.
• Print enough copies of the Match the Muscle Worksheet for each small group.
• Arrange desks into clusters for collaborative work and ensure a timer is ready.

Step 1

Engage & Introduce

3 minutes

• Gather small groups and pose the question: “Why do our muscles matter in exercise?”
• Briefly introduce the concept of major muscle groups (arms, legs, core, back).
• Show Slide 1 of the Exercise Explorer Slides with definitions and images.

Step 2

Explore Activities

7 minutes

• Divide students into their small groups.
• Display Slides 2–5 of the Exercise Explorer Slides, each depicting a different activity (e.g., jumping jacks, squats, push-ups, planks).
• Ask groups to discuss which muscle groups each activity works and why.

Step 3

Worksheet Matching

7 minutes

• Distribute the Match the Muscle Worksheet.
• Instruct students to fill in the blanks linking each exercise to the correct muscle group.
• Circulate to support groups, prompting with guiding questions (e.g., “What part of the body feels worked?”).

Step 4

Share & Reflect

3 minutes

• Invite one representative per group to share one exercise-muscle match.
• Highlight correct matches and clarify any misconceptions.
• Conclude with a quick reflection: “How can knowing muscle groups improve our workouts?”

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Slide Deck

Muscle Movers: Explore Your Body

Today, we’ll learn about four major muscle groups and see exercises that work them:
• Arms
• Legs
• Core
• Back

Get ready to move and discover which muscles you’re using!

Welcome students and introduce the concept of major muscle groups. Ask: “Why do our muscles matter when we exercise?” Briefly define Arms, Legs, Core, and Back. Explain that we’ll explore activities that work each group.

Activity 1: Jumping Jacks

Movement:
• Jump feet out while raising arms overhead, then return.

Muscles Worked:
• Calves & Quadriceps (Legs)
• Deltoids (Shoulders)
• Core (Stabilizers)

Demonstrate or play a short clip of jumping jacks. Point out how arms and legs move together. Ask students which body parts feel active.

Activity 2: Squats

Movement:
• Stand feet hip-width. Bend knees and hips as if sitting.
• Keep chest lifted, then return to standing.

Muscles Worked:
• Quadriceps & Hamstrings (Front/Back of Thigh)
• Glutes (Buttocks)
• Core (Stabilizers)

Show a demo of a proper squat—hips back, chest up. Emphasize knee alignment. Ask: “What do you notice in your legs and hips?”

Activity 3: Push-Ups

Movement:
• Start in plank. Bend elbows lowering chest to floor.
• Push back up to straight arms.

Muscles Worked:
• Pectorals (Chest)
• Triceps (Back of Arms)
• Deltoids (Shoulders)
• Core (Stabilizers)

Model a push-up: hands under shoulders, body straight. Encourage students to notice chest and arm engagement.

Activity 4: Planks

Movement:
• Forearms on floor, body in straight line from head to heels.
• Hold and breathe steadily.

Muscles Worked:
• Abdominals (Front Core)
• Erector Spinae (Lower Back)
• Shoulders & Glutes (Stabilizers)

Demonstrate a forearm plank. Emphasize neutral spine and engaged belly. Ask: “Which muscles do you feel burning?”

Worksheet

Match the Muscle Worksheet

Use along with the Muscle Movers Plan and the Exercise Explorer Slides.

Name: ______________________ Date: ______________________

Directions: For each exercise below, write three muscle groups it works. Choose your answers from the word bank at the bottom. Provide one answer per blank.

Jumping Jacks works your:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
Squats works your:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
Push-Ups works your:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
Planks works your:
- ________________________________
- ________________________________
- ________________________________

Word Bank:
Calves, Quadriceps, Deltoids, Hamstrings, Glutes, Pectorals, Triceps, Abdominals, Erector Spinae, Core