What does first grade PE look like overall?

Students practice big movements like running, skipping, jumping, hopping, and galloping. They also work on throwing, catching, kicking, and bouncing a ball. A lot of class time is spent learning to move safely around other people and follow simple game rules.

How can families support PE skills at home?

Spend 10 minutes a day on active play. Toss a ball back and forth, kick a ball in the yard, jump rope, or play tag. The goal is comfort with everyday movement, not athletic training.

My child says they are not good at sports. Is that a problem?

Not at this age. First grade PE is about building basic coordination and confidence, not picking teams or keeping score. Praise effort and improvement, and keep playtime relaxed so students stay willing to try.

How should locomotor skills be sequenced across the year?

Start with walking, running, and jumping in open space so students learn body control and spacing. Add hopping, skipping, galloping, and sliding once students can stop, start, and change direction safely. Save more complex combinations and partner work for later in the year.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, catching, and kicking a moving ball tend to lag behind running and throwing. Plan short, repeated practice across many lessons rather than one long unit. Pair skill practice with simple games so students get many tries without standing in lines.

How do students learn to cooperate and share space?

Through partner tasks, small group games, and clear routines like freezing on a signal or finding personal space. Talk openly about taking turns, encouraging classmates, and handling losing a game. These habits matter as much as the physical skills.

What does fitness mean for a six or seven year old?

It means moving often and enjoying it, not workouts. Students learn that the heart beats faster during activity, that muscles get tired, and that water and rest help. Daily active play at recess and after school is the main thing.

How do I know a student is ready for second grade PE?

By spring, students should run, jump, hop, skip, and gallop with control, throw and catch a ball from a short distance, and kick a stationary ball. They should also follow game rules, share equipment, and take turns without constant reminders.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year students start moving with more control and purpose. Students practice running, jumping, hopping, skipping, and balancing, and they begin tossing, catching, and kicking with simple targets in mind. They also learn the social side of play: taking turns, following directions, and being a good partner during games. By spring, students can move safely through a group activity and use basic skills like throwing or catching without much reminding.

Locomotor skills
Throwing and catching
Balance
Cooperation
Active play

Source: Rhode Island Rhode Island Core 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
Moving safely together
Students learn to share space with classmates without bumping. They practice listening for start and stop signals, following directions, and treating gym equipment with care.
2
Running, jumping, and hopping
Students build the basic ways their body moves across a room. Parents may notice steadier running, smoother skipping, and more confident jumping at the playground.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students practice sending and receiving balls and beanbags. Aim and control improve over the year, so playing catch in the yard starts to feel less wobbly.
4
Games and teamwork
Students play simple group games that need taking turns, cheering on classmates, and handling winning or losing. They learn that working with a partner is part of the fun.
5
Healthy habits for life
Students notice how their body feels when it moves, from a fast heartbeat to needing water. They start to name activities they enjoy and want to keep doing outside of school.

Mastery Learning Standards

The required skills a student should display by the end of Grade 1.

Physical Education

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

RI-PE.1.1

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching a ball. Building these basics sets them up to stay active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

RI-PE.2.1

Students connect what they know about how their body moves to actually doing it. In class, they practice skills like running, jumping, and balancing with a purpose, not just for fun.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

RI-PE.3.1

Students practice getting along with others during physical activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and treat everyone with respect while playing and working as a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

RI-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills like jumping, balancing, and throwing, then talk about why staying active feels good. The goal is building habits that make physical activity a regular part of life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching a ball. Building these basics sets them up to stay active as they grow.	RI-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students connect what they know about how their body moves to actually doing it. In class, they practice skills like running, jumping, and balancing with a purpose, not just for fun.	RI-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice getting along with others during physical activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and treat everyone with respect while playing and working as a group.	RI-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills like jumping, balancing, and throwing, then talk about why staying active feels good. The goal is building habits that make physical activity a regular part of life.	RI-PE.4.1

Physical Education

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

RI-PE.1.1

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching a ball. Building these basics sets them up to stay active as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

RI-PE.2.1

Students connect what they know about how their body moves to actually doing it. In class, they practice skills like running, jumping, and balancing with a purpose, not just for fun.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

RI-PE.3.1

Students practice getting along with others during physical activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and treat everyone with respect while playing and working as a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

RI-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills like jumping, balancing, and throwing, then talk about why staying active feels good. The goal is building habits that make physical activity a regular part of life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways: running, jumping, balancing, and throwing or catching a ball. Building these basics sets them up to stay active as they grow.	RI-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students connect what they know about how their body moves to actually doing it. In class, they practice skills like running, jumping, and balancing with a purpose, not just for fun.	RI-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice getting along with others during physical activities. They take turns, listen to classmates, and treat everyone with respect while playing and working as a group.	RI-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills like jumping, balancing, and throwing, then talk about why staying active feels good. The goal is building habits that make physical activity a regular part of life.	RI-PE.4.1

Common Questions

What does first grade PE look like overall?
Students practice big movements like running, skipping, jumping, hopping, and galloping. They also work on throwing, catching, kicking, and bouncing a ball. A lot of class time is spent learning to move safely around other people and follow simple game rules.
How can families support PE skills at home?
Spend 10 minutes a day on active play. Toss a ball back and forth, kick a ball in the yard, jump rope, or play tag. The goal is comfort with everyday movement, not athletic training.
My child says they are not good at sports. Is that a problem?
Not at this age. First grade PE is about building basic coordination and confidence, not picking teams or keeping score. Praise effort and improvement, and keep playtime relaxed so students stay willing to try.
How should locomotor skills be sequenced across the year?
Start with walking, running, and jumping in open space so students learn body control and spacing. Add hopping, skipping, galloping, and sliding once students can stop, start, and change direction safely. Save more complex combinations and partner work for later in the year.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, catching, and kicking a moving ball tend to lag behind running and throwing. Plan short, repeated practice across many lessons rather than one long unit. Pair skill practice with simple games so students get many tries without standing in lines.
How do students learn to cooperate and share space?
Through partner tasks, small group games, and clear routines like freezing on a signal or finding personal space. Talk openly about taking turns, encouraging classmates, and handling losing a game. These habits matter as much as the physical skills.
What does fitness mean for a six or seven year old?
It means moving often and enjoying it, not workouts. Students learn that the heart beats faster during activity, that muscles get tired, and that water and rest help. Daily active play at recess and after school is the main thing.
How do I know a student is ready for second grade PE?
By spring, students should run, jump, hop, skip, and gallop with control, throw and catch a ball from a short distance, and kick a stationary ball. They should also follow game rules, share equipment, and take turns without constant reminders.