• lenny-learning-logoLenny Learning
  • Home
    Home
    • Lessons
    Lessons
  • Curriculum
    Curriculum
  • Surveys
    Surveys
  • Videos
    Videos
  • Support
    Support
  • Log In

Can You Beat the Fitness Clock?

user image

Madison Blonde

Tier 1
For Schools

Lesson Plan

Beat the Clock Lesson Outline

Students will engage in fun, timed fitness challenges—jumping jacks, bear crawls, and plank holds—to boost speed, coordination, and stamina within 20 minutes.

This lesson energizes students, builds healthy movement habits, and enhances motor skills, promoting overall fitness and classroom focus.

Audience

2nd Grade Class

Time

20 minutes

Approach

Timed challenges motivate quick bursts of movement.

Materials

  • Beat the Clock Lesson Outline, - Fitness Clock PowerPoint, - Beat the Clock Activity Sheet, and - Class Timer or Stopwatch

Prep

Prepare Materials and Space

5 minutes

  • Review the Beat the Clock Lesson Outline to understand pacing and objectives.
  • Open the Fitness Clock PowerPoint and queue the timer slides.
  • Print enough copies of the Beat the Clock Activity Sheet for each student.
  • Clear an open area in the classroom or gym for safe movement.
  • Check the class timer or stopwatch and set it to countdown mode.

Step 1

Warm-Up: Reach and Stretch

3 minutes

  • Lead students in arm circles (10 forward, 10 backward).
  • Guide them through toe touches and gentle side stretches.
  • Use the PowerPoint slide to display a 1-minute timer for continuous movement.

Step 2

Activity 1: Jumping Jacks Challenge

4 minutes

  • Hand out the Beat the Clock Activity Sheet.
  • Show the jumping jacks slide with a 1-minute countdown.
  • Students perform as many jumping jacks as possible, recording their count.
  • After the minute, students rest 30 seconds and repeat one more round.

Step 3

Activity 2: Bear Crawl Race

4 minutes

  • Clear a 10-foot lane for each pair of students.
  • Display the bear crawl slide with a 30-second timer.
  • In pairs, students race on hands and feet to the end and back, recording laps on their sheet.
  • Switch roles and repeat a second 30-second race.

Step 4

Activity 3: Plank and Reach

4 minutes

  • Show the plank timer slide set to 1 minute.
  • Students hold a plank position, reaching one arm forward every 5 seconds.
  • Record total reaches on the activity sheet.
  • Rest 30 seconds, then repeat for one more round.

Step 5

Cool-Down and Reflection

5 minutes

  • Guide students through deep breathing: inhale for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds.
  • Lead gentle stretches: child’s pose, quad stretches.
  • Ask students to share which activity they enjoyed and one thing they improved.
  • Encourage healthy habits: discuss how quick movement breaks help focus.
lenny

Slide Deck

Can You Beat the Fitness Clock?

A fun 20-minute fitness challenge!

• Warm-Up: Reach & Stretch
• Activity 1: Jumping Jacks
• Activity 2: Bear Crawl Race
• Activity 3: Plank & Reach
• Cool-Down & Reflection

Colors: #ffadad, #ff8585, #ff5e5e

Welcome students! Today we’re racing against the clock to get our bodies moving and hearts pumping. Introduce the lesson title with enthusiasm, remind students to listen to instructions, and have them ready to move.

Warm-Up: Reach & Stretch (3 min)

• Arm circles: 10 forward, 10 backward
• Toe touches and gentle side stretches

Timer: 1 minute continuous movement

Explain that we start by warming up our muscles to prevent injury. Model each move once, then have students follow along.

Activity 1: Jumping Jacks Challenge (4 min)

• 1-minute round: Perform as many jumping jacks as you can, record your count.
• Rest 30 seconds.
• Repeat 1 more round, record your second count.

Materials: Beat the Clock Activity Sheet

After the warm-up, reset the timer. Hand out the activity sheets and demonstrate recording counts. Encourage good form over speed.

Activity 2: Bear Crawl Race (4 min)

• Clear a 10-foot lane per pair.
• 30-second crawl: Race hands & feet to the line and back, record laps.
• Switch roles, 30-second race again.

Tip: Keep hips low, heads up.

Demonstrate a bear crawl slowly first. Remind students to stay low and move hands and feet together. Pair students up and set lanes.

Activity 3: Plank & Reach (4 min)

• Hold plank 1 minute, reach one arm forward every 5 seconds, record reaches.
• Rest 30 seconds.
• Repeat plank & reach for 1 more round.

Show proper plank form. Count aloud every 5 seconds so students know when to reach. Circulate and count reaches.

Cool-Down & Reflection (5 min)

• Deep breathing: Inhale 4s, exhale 4s (×3)
• Gentle stretches: Child’s pose, quad stretch

Discussion:
• Which activity did you enjoy most?
• What did you improve today?
• How can quick movement breaks help us focus in class?

Lead students through slow stretches and breathing to bring heart rates down. Facilitate sharing to reinforce reflection and celebrate effort.

lenny

Worksheet

Beat the Clock Activity Sheet

Use this sheet to record your scores for each activity. Ready… set… go!

Activity 1: Jumping Jacks Challenge

1-minute Round 1: How many jumping jacks did you complete?
Answer: ________


Rest 30 seconds

1-minute Round 2: How many jumping jacks did you complete this time?
Answer: ________


Activity 2: Bear Crawl Race

Clear a 10-foot lane and race on your hands and feet.

• 30-second Round 1: How many laps did you crawl?
Answer: ________


Rest 30 seconds

• 30-second Round 2: How many laps did you crawl this time?
Answer: ________


Activity 3: Plank & Reach

Hold a plank and reach one arm forward every 5 seconds.

• 1-minute Round 1: How many reaches did you record?
Answer: ________


Rest 30 seconds

• 1-minute Round 2: How many reaches did you record this time?
Answer: ________


Cool-Down & Reflection

Take a moment to catch your breath and think about today’s challenge.

  1. Which activity did you enjoy the most? Why?










  1. What is one thing you improved on during our fitness clock?







  1. How can quick movement breaks help you focus during classroom time?








Great job racing the clock! Remember: quick bursts of movement keep your body strong and your mind sharp.

lenny
lenny