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Learning Standards Standards

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year movement skills get sharper and start fitting together in real games. Students run, skip, jump, throw, catch, and kick with more control, and they begin to notice when their heart beats faster or their muscles feel tired. Working with partners and small groups becomes a bigger part of class, so taking turns and playing fair matter as much as the skill itself. By spring, students can join a simple group game, follow the rules, and explain one reason why moving every day is good for the body.

  • Running and jumping
  • Throwing and catching
  • Teamwork
  • Fitness basics
  • Active habits
Source: New Jersey New Jersey Student Learning Standards
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. 1

    Moving safely together

    Students learn how to share space in the gym without bumping into each other. They practice starting, stopping, and following directions during warm-ups and simple games.

  2. 2

    Running, jumping, and skipping

    Students work on the basic ways the body travels. Parents may notice steadier running, two-foot jumps, and skipping that looks more coordinated at the park.

  3. 3

    Throwing, catching, and kicking

    Students practice sending and receiving balls of different sizes. They roll, toss, catch, and kick with a partner, and start aiming at targets.

  4. 4

    Teamwork in games

    Students play simple group games with rules and turns. They practice cheering on classmates, sharing equipment, and handling winning and losing without giving up.

  5. 5

    Fitness and healthy habits

    Students notice what their body feels like during activity, from a faster heartbeat to deeper breathing. They talk about why moving every day helps them feel good.

Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 2.
Physical Education

  • Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor

    NJ-PE.1.2

    Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, throwing, catching, and balancing. Building these skills early makes it easier to stay active and join in sports or play throughout life.

  • Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

    NJ-PE.2.2

    Students learn why warming up, moving with control, and resting matter for their bodies. They use that knowledge to take part in games, exercises, and activities in class.

  • Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

    NJ-PE.3.2

    Students practice working with classmates during games and movement activities. They take turns, follow group rules, and treat others the way they want to be treated.

  • Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

    NJ-PE.4.2

    Students practice moving their bodies on purpose and start to notice how exercise makes them feel. They learn to choose activities they enjoy and build habits that can keep them healthy for years to come.

Common Questions
  • What should students be able to do in PE by the end of this year?

    Students should run, skip, gallop, hop, and jump with control, and they should be able to throw, catch, kick, and dribble a ball at a basic level. They should also follow game rules, take turns, and play fairly with a partner or small group.

  • How can students practice these skills at home?

    Ten minutes of active play outside covers a lot. Toss a ball back and forth, play tag, jump rope, kick a ball against a wall, or set up a simple obstacle course in the yard or living room. The goal is steady practice, not perfect form.

  • My child says they are bad at sports. What should I do?

    At this age, skills look very different from one student to the next, and that is normal. Pick one skill, like catching a soft ball from a short distance, and practice it together a few times a week. Small wins build confidence faster than long lessons.

  • How should locomotor and ball skills be sequenced across the year?

    Start the fall with locomotor work like running, skipping, and hopping, since those underpin almost every game. Move into non-locomotor balance and stretching, then build toward throwing, catching, kicking, and dribbling in the winter and spring. Revisit earlier skills inside new games instead of leaving them behind.

  • Which skills usually need the most reteaching at this grade?

    Catching a thrown ball, skipping with alternating feet, and dribbling with control tend to lag. Build in short skill stations every few weeks so students get repeated low-pressure practice, and pair stronger and weaker partners during cooperative games.

  • How is cooperation and good sportsmanship actually taught in PE?

    It is taught through small-sided games and partner tasks, not lectures. Students practice taking turns, encouraging a partner, accepting a call they disagree with, and handling losing. Naming these behaviors out loud during play helps them stick.

  • How do I know if students are ready for next year's PE?

    By the end of the year, students should move through space safely, control a ball in simple ways, and play short games without constant adult prompting. They should also be able to name one or two reasons exercise is good for them, such as a stronger heart or better sleep.

  • Does my child need special equipment to keep up?

    No. A soft ball, a jump rope, and some open space are enough. Sneakers that fit well and clothes students can move in matter more than any gear.