Today I wanted to talk a little bit about my favorite section of Fitnessgram – The Pacer Test!
Well because I love seeing kids push themselves to achieve their best and it’s also one of the easiest tests to administer, understand and keep score for. There isn’t usually much to argue about, you either make it to the line before the beep, or you don’t. Also, I think out of all the fitness tests it’s probably my students favorite one, so that makes it more fun for me too.
You can see how I intro the test before our daily warmup in the video below:
We have a 20 meter court from endline to endline, so I partner students up and have them count for a partner. Although to be honest, I am considering scratching this system and just having kids self-assess during the test to save on time – I’ve done it a few times and it’s pretty manageable if you have the space, know your students and have taught them the procedure for the Pacer Test in previous years.
When the test begins, I run a few laps with the kids to help them pace (and to set a good example) and then stop when kids start dropping out to write down scores as they finish, since I know all the kids names, it’s pretty easy for me to write them down as students finish the test, but if I miss a few I just ask them or their counter what their score was.
In K-1st Grade I do a modified Pacer or a Partner Pacer Relay (See Below). I just want them to get familiar with the test and how it works.
In 2nd – 3rd Grade I just want kids to understand what the test is measuring (Cardio Endurance) and the purpose of it – to see where you are currently and set goals to be able to track growth over time.
In 4th and 5th Grade I want kids to be able to understand goal setting a little more and be able to set realistic and specific goals with a game plan that makes sense to achieve their goal (what kinds of activities will help you improve your score?). I also talk to my 4th – 5th kids about the strategy of using your first mistake as an opportunity to rest and encourage them to make sure they don’t quit with no mistakes.
It’s always helpful to me when I see others teach – so I included a video below of my Pacer Test intro if you’re interested
After the test is over I give out awards to the best scores in the class
I know this is a little controversial and might not be considered best practice by a lot of people that I respect. I am always open to changing my mind, but I currently I have to disagree and I think that we should take the opportunity to award kids for their awesome achievements whenever possible. Also, if you watch the video above, I think you’ll find that it’s pretty clear that the emphasis I place on the lesson is on personal improvement – which is important, but in my opinion that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t award kids for doing something awesome ( See my stance on whether or not we should have winners and losers here ).
Some of you are probably saying, “Why don’t you give a ‘Most Improved’ award”
Sure I’d love to give out awards for improvement as well, but then you have to deal with kids bombing the pre-test to get an improvement award on the post-test and I just don’t have time to worry about that. So I give out fist bumps and high fives to all my kids instead and when they finish I always ask – “Did you beat your last record?”
Part of my focus is encouraging students for a strong effort, not matter what their score.
In the words of Talor Mali:
“I can make a C+ feel like a Congressional Medal of Honor …
and an A- feel like a slap in the face“
After the awards ceremony, I ask the kids what are different things they can do that would help improve their Pacer Score. I try to lead them to bring up some of the points below:
For Kindergarten and First Grade I do a modified Pacer with a shorter distance and only allow them to go to 25-30 laps. This lets them learn the testing procedure and honestly, they really love it and are always laughing and giggling when the test begins and then asking if we can do it again when it’s over. You can see a clip explaining this below:
FYI: I am thinking of totally flipping the way I do fitness testing and working through the logistics of allowing kids to totally self assess and trying to salvage some of the time that Fitnessgram takes from my yearly curriculum. If it’s a success, I will definitely share it here on the blog.
NOTE: Please don’t use fitness scores to determine a grade in PE. This is not best practice, if you disagree with this, check out some of the links below and think through what the implications are for your kids.
If you’re interested in learning more about this subject, below are some links to content that I’ve found helpful when thinking about fitness testing:
There’s no way I am going to ace this pacer test. I am a student and when I run I can only get to 4 or 10 but that’s about it. I am trying to get a better score at this because I don’t wanna fail it at all.
Analisa, no worries! The goal of the Pacer Test is to give you a measure of your Cardiovascular Endurance. If you don’t get the score you want, no worries, find time to move and exercise. This will help you develop more endurance!
Oh my lord! Do you understand the embarrassment of being the first to drop out? I have never been one, but around 20 laps I feel my body shut down but I keep going because I dont want to be the first to drop out. Also no way Is this the favorite test. The amount of anxiety that this test puts us through is awful. All day stressing over on little test.
We try to tell our students to “Do your best and forget the rest”. We just want to know how to keep your body healthy for a lifetime. Hopefully you’re able to do your best and not worry about being the first one to finish.
Great instructional video for students and PE instructors to watch. Your followers and you offer lots of new ideas to modify PACER. I had not considered using partners to share the challenge rather than always being the lap counter. This will definitely make PACER a more positive experience for students that feel embarrassed about their low performance. These ideas will not only make PACER fun but also allow students to do more practice laps. Like you, I don’t see my students often enough to impact their fitness during school hours. This is especially true now while half of my students are at home as e-learners. I share your “Big picture” philosophy. Kids that love being physically active will likely be active adults. Our challenge is to reach both active and less active students, empower them with information, and inspire them to improve their own fitness level.
Ileana, Great perspective! We try to shape a positive experience for our students. We want them to have the tools to maintain a healthy life style!
Thanks for all this awesome info. I’m curious where I get the CD that goes along with the tests. I‘m a first time PE teacher and have found your blog/videos so helpful.
Thank you.
Hey Melissa, If you go to https://fitnessgram.net/ you can locate the resources for the fitnessgram. You can also use the audio from YouTube by converting it into an MP3 as well. Hope that helps!
How can you simply and efficiently record all this data for each kid so that when you do it at the end of the year you can track progression?
We use a software called Fitstat, but you can also use Fitnessgram software, there’s also a free option that I’ve never tried, but heard is good linked up at the bottom of this post: https://www.thepespecialist.com/fitnessgram/
Have you ever taken the pacer test? Let’s spill the tea. First of all having to be graded on the scores are wrong. I’m I high schooler and we get graded out of 10 on how much we get. We usually have to get anywhere from 50-100 to score a 10 and it increases every month. Some people are just not as physically active as others and are required to take pe for 4 semesters. Another thing is that it literally gives people anxiety. Some people get doctors notes telling them that the pacer test gives them anxiety. I understand why you like this test, but to the people taking it, it sucks.
Hey Elyse! Yes I have taken it, I jump in with my students pretty frequently. Sorry that you’re getting graded on the test, I don’t agree with grading students on fitness scores. It is designed to be a way to measure your fitness and help teach kids to set goals and try to improve on those goals. As for the anxiety, I get it, lots of people get anxiety from taking any type of test, learning to deal with anxiety and stress is a part of life, that said I don’t think there should be any pressure on you to do more than what you can – it’s simply a measure of your cardio endurance and that’s it – not a measure of your worth. It’s a tool you can use to get better.
thank u for this new follow upCan u say how to modify this to a short hallway or backyard w/ only 4 people at home for holiday exersize? Ill check every weekend right here fr ur response!
Can u say how to modify this to a short hallway or backyard w/ only 4 people at home for holiday exersize? Ill check every weekend right here fr ur response!Plz respond
1st year PE teacher here (and loving it). Is it really necessary to have the actual pacer CD? Is the basis of this activity just to measure the 20M distance and the time it takes or is there a specific time frame that this is completed? I love the idea of running this because I want my kids to have evidence of their physical levels improving. Thanks so much for your posts!!
Yep, you’ll need the actual Pacer Test Audio – you can use a youtube video or get it on itunes if you don’t have the CD.
Why not give out a most improved award, but just not tell the students about it until after the pre-test has already been completed? That avoids the bombing the pre for the award pitfall and can motivate all the students.
Hey Dave – that would work for the first year I implemented it, but then kids would figure it out very quickly. If you could make it work in your situation I think that would be a great alternative, I just don’t see it working with my students.
Nice article! I have been doing the PACER and sit up test a few years now. I was thinking of adding in push ups and the sit and reach (to cover more areas of fitness). I was curious how you run your class when doing sit up, push up, and sit and reach. So far with sit ups I just do stations and make one of those station the sit up test with me. With my schedule it can take a full week to get everyone tested. I was thinking if I add in additional test this set up may get old. Any thoughts? Thanks
Make it more fun by getting remixed music versions of the pacers. Check soundcloud or youtibe I have around 5 versions so far.
I’m a little lost philosophically why it’s discouraged to grade a fitness test. If fitness is one of our standards why wouldn’t we grade on it? This seems like the same logic that we shouldn’t grade on motor skills, which are also included in our standards. I think our national philosophy on PE “…to give students the knowledge, skills, and confidence…to pursue a lifetime of physical activity” puts us in contrast with our standards/indicators. It seems like we scared of assessing motor and fitness skills because it may discourage physical activity among those that aren’t naturally fit and/or skilled. But, should that be true? Do math, science, english stop assessing skills because they don’t want kids to be scared to do math, science, reading or writing? Aren’t some kids naturally better at math, science, english, just like motor skills/fitness? Why not teach the fitness tests, practice fitness workouts, then assess at the end of the unit, just like any other unit? Personally, I’m OK with it either way, but I’d just prefer we all get on the same page with strong philosophical stance that is consistent, so I can parents, administrators, etc. to a higher standard than my own personal philosophy.
Hey Chris – totally understand your perspective. Check out some of the links at the bottom if you want to explore a little more on the topic and look at best practices. One issue for me personally would be that since I see my kids only once a week the possibility of me actually impacting their fitness levels with practice time in class is pretty slim, sure I could give them “Homework” of doing fitness training outside of school – but many kids are limited on what they can do depending on their home situations. Also, zooming out and looking at the big picture is always helpful for me – if the end goal is to motivate students to be active for a lifetime, what’s going to be more likely to turn kids onto fitness/goal setting – Celebrating the fact that they improved from the last test or giving them grades based on standards that are easy for some and likely unreachable by some? Just a few thoughts – there’s tons more info at the links provided at the bottom of the post and a variety of opinions, but I think instead of trying to make sure Phys Ed is “Equal” with all other subjects, we should focus on what the outcome will be for the students depending on what practice we choose.
My Middle schoolers and I do a “MASHED UP” PACER… crazy awesome that allows them to ‘run out the test’ which is huge bragging rights at our school…
so here’s how it goes down… FIRST they have a choice between creating teams of 3-6… BIG DOG BRAGGING if you choose to be a team of 3, yet the complaint department is closed and there’s NO quitting if this is their choice! 😉 Kids are tasked to get their shopping list and line up equipment on our stage : med ball, basketball, f’ball and a track baton… NEVER do they THROW.. all objects are always passed 1-25** MED BALL, 26-50** DRIBBLE b’ball, 51-100**’f’ball tuck it and run, 101-150** track baton handoff, 151- END** HIGH FIVE! 🙂 AAAWESOME FUN!!
In our elementary program(4th,5th,and6th) we have an activity that we do each year that our student’s really enjoy. It’s call The PACER Relay. Our goal is to get to 100 paces. The kids get so excited. They start the relay with teams of 2, 3, or 4. As needed, they can put teams together at any time during the relay. The largest they can create are teams of 8. Some need this and they are still working hard to get to the goal. We also offer The Olympic Course with graduating distances. Gold-20 meters, Silver-16, Bronze- 12. Students do this solo, and they can move to any level as needed. They can also choose to join a relay team but they cannot go back to the Olympic course once they leave. This is one of those activities where everyone can be successful, and we look forward to this activity every year. Thanks for sharing your tips!
