Pathways Explorer: Straight, Curved and Zigzag
Students explore movement pathways by traveling along straight, curved and zigzag lines drawn on the blacktop, and then create their own. It improves control of direction, changes of direction and spatial awareness.
How to play
- Use chalk to draw three zones: long straight lines, curved lines and spirals, and zigzags also marked with cones; put a picture card at each zone.
- Exploration (4 min): everyone travels the pathways walking and then jogging lightly, one student per line at a time.
- Change the movement (4 min): straight lines with two-foot jumps, curved lines sliding sideways and zigzags hopping with a foot change at each corner.
- Open-space travel (3 min): with no lines to follow, the teacher shows a card and everyone travels through open space using that pathway.
- Designers (5 min): in groups of 4, students draw a chalk pathway that mixes all three types and another group travels it.
Rules
- Follow the line without stepping off; if you step off, go back to the start of that section.
- One student per line at a time, all moving the same direction.
- Draw pathways away from fences, goals and curbs.
- Each group travels another group's pathway respectfully and does not erase it.
Variations
Easier
Wide lines, walking only and no foot changes.
Standard
Three pathway types with a different movement for each one.
Harder
Travel the pathways backward or while dribbling a ball.
Adaptations
- Limited mobility: draw wider pathways so they can be traveled in a wheelchair with the same shapes.
- Visual impairment: pathways marked with rope on the ground and cones to touch at each turn.
- Fitness level: each student picks a speed that fits their level.
Learning goals
- Tell apart straight, curved and zigzag pathways.
- Control direction and changes of direction while traveling.
- Design a course using different pathways.
Equipment for a class of 25
- sidewalk chalk: 12
- cones: 12
- picture cards: 3
Teacher tip
Draw the pathways before class to save time. Have students say the pathway name out loud as they travel it to build vocabulary.
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