Cup stacking: a 20-minute 3rd grade PE activity for hand-eye skills

1. Show a 3-stack: three cups upside down in a column. Up-stack by lifting the top cup with one hand and the next with the other hand to make a small pyramid. Down-stack by sliding the cups back into one column.
2. Students practice the 3-stack 5 times, using both hands in turn.
3. Build the 3-3-3: three 3-stacks in a row, up-stacked left to right and down-stacked in the same order.
4. Partners take turns: one stacks while the other times. Each student records a first time and two more tries.
5. Students who have the 3-3-3 try a 6-stack, a pyramid of 3, 2 and 1.
6. Finish by writing one sentence: "My best time was __. What helped was __."

Safety: keep the table clear of drinks and other items, and stack on a stable surface; this is a calmer activity, so pair it with a lively warm-up or game in the same session. Every session: warm up first, clear the space, keep water nearby, and stop if anything hurts or a student feels dizzy or unwell.

Differentiation: students who need support can practice 3-stacks only and count instead of timing. Students who are ready can try a relay where two partners share one stack. English learners can use the words up-stack and down-stack with gestures.

Quick check: ask a student to show a 3-3-3 and say which hand lifts first.

For a full year of free grade 3 PE sessions, see Move Every Day from UpOnly Learning.

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