As class sizes grow and student skill levels vary widely, traditional full-class games can unintentionally limit participation. Small-sided games offer a simple, effective way to increase engagement, create more meaningful skill practice, and support independence and sportsmanship in Physical Education—especially in Montessori environments and mixed-ability classes.
Today, I’m reintroducing the Montessori PE Black Holes lesson plan—not because the original didn’t work, but because this new version is so different, so much more engaging, and so much more fun that it has essentially become a brand-new game.
These three new lessons are part of an ongoing commitment to giving you fresh, integrated resources that bring movement and deep learning to your students.
At my school, we’ve also embraced something I wish more schools would adopt: an Inventors Fair we call Design for Good. Like the Science Fair, it is built on a process—this time, the Engineering Design Process.
It hit me like when my child’s teacher sees him after three months from summer break and says, “Wow, they’ve grown!” You knew they were growing, but you didn’t realize how much until someone else pointed it out. Those small incremental growth spurts go under the radar, just as the change in play occurred over the years.
Take a look at the At-Home Lessons if you have to do your PE in the classroom and you need some extra help coming up with some ideas. I remember how tough it was trying to make engaging content for less than ideal settings. I hope that you can take some ideas from my lessons and use them in your classroom.
