Promise Walk: An Active Plan for Tomorrow

A cool-down walk in pairs where each student pins down an active plan for tomorrow and their partner helps make it realistic. It builds short-term planning and peer support.

How to play

1. Free walk around the track, slowing down until breathing allows long sentences (2 min).
2. In pairs, while walking, A shares an active plan for tomorrow with three details: what, when and with whom. B asks about anything missing (2 min).
3. Switch: B shares their plan and A asks (2 min).
4. Close in a circle: anyone who wants to says their plan in one sentence, and at the start of next class you ask for a voluntary show of hands from those who did it (2 min).

Rules

• The plan must be specific: "run for a bit" doesn't count; "20 minutes biking with my brother at six" does.
• Partners help, they don't judge.
• Sharing the plan in the circle is optional.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair users: walk on smooth ground, and their plan can include adapted sports or accessible outings.
• Deaf or hard of hearing: partners stand face to face when talking, or write it on paper or a phone.
• Shy students: walk in a group of three and just listen in the first round.

Learning goals

• Pin down a realistic active plan for the next day.
• Help a partner improve their plan.
• Cool down in an active, social way.

Teacher tip

Bring up the commitment at the start of the next lesson, or it loses its power. Mix up the pairs so it's not always the same friends.

More activities like this

More cool-downs for Middle School