How to play four square: a 25-minute PE lesson for 3rd grade

1. Draw the court and number the squares 1 to 4. The player in square 4 serves.
2. Teach the hit: hands open and side by side, push the ball down so it bounces once in another square. Students practice by bouncing the ball to a partner across a line.
3. Rules: the ball bounces once in your square, then you hit it into any other square. You are out if it bounces twice in your square, if you hit it outside the court, or if you catch it.
4. When a player is out, they go to the end of the waiting line, everyone moves up one square, and the next person in line enters square 1.
5. Play for 5 minutes. Then the server adds one rule of the round, such as "low bounces only" or "use your other hand."
6. Close with a talk: "How do you keep the game fun for the players waiting in line?"

Safety: use a soft playground ball, not a heavy basketball; play on a dry surface away from walls and benches; the waiting line stays a few steps back from the court. 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 catch and then bounce the ball instead of striking it, or play with a bigger, slower ball. A student who uses a wheelchair can play with a lighter ball in a larger square. Students who are ready can add "no hitting to the same square twice." English learners can learn the words bounce, out and rotate.

Quick check: ask a student to name two ways to get out and what happens next.

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

Need it for another grade or subject? Ask us on the request page and our team will write it.