Moving with control
Students sharpen the basics of running, jumping, skipping, and changing direction. They practice moving safely around classmates and learn to start, stop, and balance on cue.
What does a student learn in
This is the year movement gets more skillful and more strategic. Students sharpen running, jumping, throwing, catching, and kicking, and start using them in real games where they have to think on their feet. They learn what warming up, stretching, and a strong heart actually do for the body. By spring, they can play a team game with classmates, follow the rules, take turns leading, and explain why staying active matters.
- Motor skills
- Team games
- Fitness concepts
- Cooperation
- Healthy habits
Year at a glance
How the year usually goes. Every school and district set their own curriculum, so treat this as a guide, not official pacing.
- 1
- 2
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students work on sending and receiving a ball with hands and feet. Aim, timing, and follow-through start to look more like a real game and less like guesswork.
- 3
Games and teamwork
Students put skills together in small-sided games and group activities. They learn to take turns, cheer on teammates, settle disagreements, and follow shared rules.
- 4
Fitness and healthy habits
Students notice how their bodies feel during exercise and learn what makes a heart, muscles, and lungs stronger. They set small goals and track activities they enjoy outside of school.
- 5
Active for life
Students try a wider range of activities, from dance to outdoor games, and find a few they want to keep doing. The focus shifts to making movement a regular part of the week.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 4.
Physical Education
Physical Education
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Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor
Students practice moving in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, throwing, and catching. Building those skills now makes it easier to stay active in sports and games for years to come.
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Apply knowledge related to movement, performance
Students use what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to make better choices during games, exercises, and other physical activities.
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Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…
Students practice working as a team during games and movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and make choices that keep everyone safe and included.
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Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement
Students name activities they enjoy and explain why moving regularly makes them feel better. The goal is building habits they'll want to keep, not just completing a unit.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor | Students practice moving in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, throwing, and catching. Building those skills now makes it easier to stay active in sports and games for years to come. | DC-PE.1.4 |
| Apply knowledge related to movement, performance | Students use what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to make better choices during games, exercises, and other physical activities. | DC-PE.2.4 |
| Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others… | Students practice working as a team during games and movement activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and make choices that keep everyone safe and included. | DC-PE.3.4 |
| Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement | Students name activities they enjoy and explain why moving regularly makes them feel better. The goal is building habits they'll want to keep, not just completing a unit. | DC-PE.4.4 |
Common Questions
What does fourth grade physical education look like in a year?
Students build on basic movement and start combining skills. They run, jump, throw, catch, kick, and dribble in games and routines. They also learn how exercise affects the body and how to work with a partner or small group without it falling apart.
How can families support physical activity at home?
Aim for about an hour of active play most days. A walk after dinner, a game of catch in the yard, or a bike ride all count. Letting students pick the activity helps them build the habit on their own.
My child says they are not good at sports. What can I do?
Focus on effort and small wins instead of winning the game. Practice one skill at a time, like catching a ball ten times in a row or jumping rope without stopping. Most fourth graders improve quickly once a skill stops feeling scary.
How should units be sequenced across the year?
A common arc is locomotor and chasing games in the fall, throwing and catching units in the winter, then striking, dribbling, and small-sided games in the spring. Fitness concepts and cooperation work can be woven into every unit instead of taught as a separate block.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Catching with hands away from the body, throwing with opposition, and dribbling while looking up are the big three. Many students also need extra work on jumping and landing safely. Short skill stations at the start of class give more practice reps than full-class games.
What fitness concepts should students understand by the end of the year?
Students should know the difference between warm-up and workout, name a few muscles that get stronger with activity, and explain why the heart beats faster during exercise. They do not need to track data, but they should be able to talk about how their body feels before and after moving.
How is cooperation taught in PE?
Through partner and small-group challenges where the task only works if everyone contributes. Think tag games with a rescue rule, passing games with a shared score, or simple team-building tasks. Students practice taking turns, sharing equipment, and disagreeing without quitting.
How do I know a student is ready for fifth grade PE?
They can combine two skills, like dribbling and passing, in a moving game. They can play a small-sided game with basic rules and decent sportsmanship. They can describe one activity they enjoy enough to do outside of school.