Movement skills and fitness basics
Students sharpen the movement skills they will use all year, like running, jumping, throwing, catching, and striking. They also learn how warm-ups, stretching, and pacing keep the body ready for activity.
What does a student learn in
This is the year physical education shifts from learning how to play games to building habits that last past graduation. Students sharpen the movement skills they already have and apply fitness concepts to workouts they choose for themselves. They practice working with teammates, communicating clearly, and taking responsibility for their own effort. By spring, students can explain why they picked a particular activity and stick with it as part of a regular routine.
- Lifelong fitness
- Movement skills
- Teamwork
- Personal wellness
- Fitness concepts
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
Fitness concepts in action
Students connect what they do in the gym to how the body works. They track heart rate, build strength and endurance, and learn how rest, hydration, and effort shape a workout.
- 3
Teamwork and fair play
Students play team and partner activities where communication matters as much as skill. They practice respecting teammates and opponents, sharing roles, and handling wins and losses with composure.
- 4
Planning a personal active life
Students set their own goals and try activities they might keep doing after school, from walking and weight training to dance, yoga, or pickup games. They leave with a plan for staying active on their own.
Mastery Learning Standards
The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 10.
Physical Education
Physical Education
- High School Level 1
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor
Students practice moving their body in different ways: walking, balancing, throwing, and catching. Building these skills makes it easier to stay active in sports, fitness classes, or everyday physical activity.
- High School Level 1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance
Students use what they know about how the body moves and stays fit to make smarter choices during physical activity. That means adjusting effort, form, or pacing based on what the activity actually demands.
- High School Level 1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…
Students practice working with others during physical activities: taking turns, listening, following rules, and treating teammates and opponents with respect.
- High School Level 1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement
Students set personal fitness goals, recognize what regular movement does for their health, and practice making exercise a habit they can keep long after graduation.
| Standard | Definition | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor High School Level 1 | Students practice moving their body in different ways: walking, balancing, throwing, and catching. Building these skills makes it easier to stay active in sports, fitness classes, or everyday physical activity. | PA-PE.1.hs-level-1 |
| Apply knowledge related to movement, performance High School Level 1 | Students use what they know about how the body moves and stays fit to make smarter choices during physical activity. That means adjusting effort, form, or pacing based on what the activity actually demands. | PA-PE.2.hs-level-1 |
| Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others… High School Level 1 | Students practice working with others during physical activities: taking turns, listening, following rules, and treating teammates and opponents with respect. | PA-PE.3.hs-level-1 |
| Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement High School Level 1 | Students set personal fitness goals, recognize what regular movement does for their health, and practice making exercise a habit they can keep long after graduation. | PA-PE.4.hs-level-1 |
Common Questions
What does physical education look like at this level?
Students build movement skills they can use in sports, fitness routines, and everyday life. They learn how exercise affects the body, practice working with teammates, and start picking activities they might keep doing as adults. The focus shifts from playing games to building habits.
How can families support physical activity at home?
Aim for daily movement that students actually enjoy. A walk after dinner, a bike ride on the weekend, or shooting hoops in the driveway all count. The goal is to make moving feel normal, not like a chore tied to a grade.
Does a student need to be athletic to do well?
No. Grades reward effort, skill growth, and participation, not whether someone is the fastest runner or the best player. A student who shows up, tries hard, and works well with classmates can earn a strong grade.
What skills should students show by the end of the year?
Students should perform basic movement patterns with control, explain how fitness affects health, and cooperate with classmates during activities. They should also be able to describe one or two activities they want to keep doing outside of class.
How should units be sequenced across the year?
Start with fitness assessments and skill basics so students have a baseline. Move into team activities that build cooperation, then individual or lifetime activities such as yoga, weight training, or walking. End with a unit that asks students to design their own activity plan.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Spacing and positioning during team play, pacing during cardio work, and proper form on lifts or stretches tend to need the most repetition. Many students also need practice giving feedback to peers without making it personal.
How is grading handled when ability levels vary so much?
Grades reflect growth and engagement more than raw performance. A student who improves their mile time by a minute earns credit for that progress, regardless of the final time. Effort, dress out, and cooperation usually carry most of the grade.
What if a student dislikes team sports?
Encourage them to find an individual activity that fits, such as running, lifting, swimming, hiking, or yoga. The class covers a range of options so students can find something that sticks. Talk with the teacher if a specific activity causes real anxiety.