Lower School (1st-4th Grade) P.E. Curriculum

The Physical Education program at St. Paul’s will provide a positive, safe and enjoyable environment that engages each child to be actively involved and equally successful through physical movement.

General Objectives:  

1^st Grade: 30 minutes two times a week

2^nd-4^th Grade: 30 minutes three times a week

To help students develop and refine motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

To practice a variety of physical activities with the goal of promoting the benefits of health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/or social interaction through movement.

National Physical Education Standards

1.       Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.

2.       Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities.

3.       Participates regularly in physical activity.

4.       Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

5.       Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.

6.       Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expressions and/or social interaction.

P.E. Class Rules: 

“It’s as easy as A, B, C, D!”

A.      Act safely—Move in general space of gym and others’ personal space respectfully.

B.      Be Prepared & Be Positive—On the days that your child has P.E., please have them wear (bring to school, or keep in their cubby) appropriate shoes so they can fully participate. Due to safety concerns, your child will not be able to participate if they do not have safe shoes on.

C.      Cooperate (with teacher and classmates)—Listen to and follow directions; practice sportsmanship:  be a ‘team’ player! Respect self, others, and equipment.

D.      Do your best—Every child is at a different level of ability and confidence when it comes to physical activity. What is most important to me is that each student tries something new, works on improving a skill, and demonstrates their personal best!

Daily Physical Education Plan:

1)      Warm-up (3-5 min)

2)      Fundamental skill work (10-12 min)

3)      Game/Activity (10-15 min)

4)      Life Skills: (Constant)

Lesson Plan Example:

Soccer Skills: Dribbling, Kicking, Offense/Defense Skills

Lesson Objective:

·         Students will maintain their heart rate in their training zone during the introductory warm-up and during lesson focus game (to improve physical fitness).

·         Students will be able to pass and receive ball with partners using correct passing and trapping techniques.

Introductory (Warm-up) Activity: Dribbling

In center circle on field students are spread out evenly around circle. When whistle blows, students are instructed to dribble around circle, trying to keep ball on line. When whistle blows, they must switch directions. Whistle will sound at various increments throughout time period-- students must listen carefully and be able to switch directions quickly.

Lesson Focus: Soccer dribbling with defensive/offensive mindset

Soccer Tunnel Tag

Object of game is for ‘taggers’ to play offense and try to kick ball away from other ‘defensive’ players.

Defensive players each have their own soccer ball, except for taggers. The object of the game is for each student to dribble ball and keep the taggers from kicking their ball. If their ball is kicked they must retrieve their ball and hold it above their heads. Essentially, the players is now ‘tagged’ and they must stand with ball above head and legs open like a tunnel until one of their other classmates kicks a ball through their legs. 

Throughout activity, students practice ball control and dodging (defense) whole all players maintain increased heart rate.