What does physical education look like this year?

Students practice running, skipping, jumping, hopping, and galloping. They learn to throw, catch, kick, and bounce a ball. They also start working with partners and small groups, taking turns and following game rules.

How can I help my child stay active at home?

Aim for an hour of active play most days. Toss a ball back and forth, set up a hopping path with chalk, or play tag in the yard. Short bursts count too, so a few minutes of dancing or jumping before dinner is real practice.

My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?

Big differences are normal at this age. Coordination grows with practice, not pressure. Give plenty of low-stakes chances to climb, balance on a curb, ride a scooter, or toss a soft ball. Skills usually catch up by the end of the year.

How do I sequence motor skills across the year?

Start with locomotor skills like running, skipping, and galloping in open space. Add non-locomotor work such as balancing, twisting, and stretching. Bring in manipulative skills like rolling, throwing, and catching once students can move safely around each other.

Which skills usually need the most reteaching?

Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with the opposite foot forward also needs steady reminders. Build in short warm-up drills that revisit these skills two or three times a week.

How do I handle students who refuse to participate or get upset when they lose?

Teach a few simple rules for cooperation early: take turns, use kind words, and shake it off when a game ends. Keep teams small and rotate often so no one gets stuck losing. Praise effort and good sportsmanship out loud, not just winning.

Does my child need to be good at sports to do well this year?

No. The focus is on trying skills, moving safely, and playing fairly with classmates. A student who keeps practicing and cooperates with the group is doing exactly what is expected, even if throws miss and catches drop.

How do I know students are ready for next year?

By spring, most students can run, skip, and jump with control, throw and catch a soft ball at short range, and balance on one foot for a few seconds. They should also follow basic game rules and work with a partner without constant reminders.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year movement starts to feel like a set of skills students can name and practice. Students work on running, skipping, hopping, balancing, and rolling or bouncing a ball with more control. They learn to take turns, share space safely, and follow simple rules during games. By spring, they can play a group activity, follow the directions, and explain one reason why moving their body is good for them.

Running and skipping
Throwing and catching
Balance
Following game rules
Sharing space
Healthy habits

Source: Ohio Ohio's 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
Moving safely and together
Students learn how to move around the gym without bumping into others. They practice walking, running, skipping, and galloping in different directions and at different speeds.
2
Balancing, bending, and stretching
Students explore what their bodies can do while standing still. They practice balancing on one foot, twisting, bending, and holding shapes that build strength and body control.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students start working with balls and beanbags. They practice tossing underhand, catching with two hands, dribbling with a foot, and rolling a ball toward a target.
4
Playing fair with classmates
Students join simple group games and partner activities. They practice taking turns, following rules, sharing equipment, and cheering for classmates instead of arguing over a play.
5
Why moving feels good
Students notice what happens to their bodies during activity. They feel a faster heartbeat, warmer skin, and heavier breathing, and they talk about why running and playing keeps them healthy.

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

OH-PE.1.1

Students practice basic ways to move their bodies, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These building blocks help them stay active and handle more complex movement as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

OH-PE.2.1

Students connect what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to actually do physical activities well. That means understanding why warming up, moving with control, and keeping the heart working matters in real games and exercises.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

OH-PE.3.1

Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with classmates during movement activities. The focus is on treating others fairly and making good choices as part of a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

OH-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes them feel. They learn to choose activities they enjoy so staying active becomes a habit they keep for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice basic ways to move their bodies, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These building blocks help them stay active and handle more complex movement as they grow.	OH-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students connect what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to actually do physical activities well. That means understanding why warming up, moving with control, and keeping the heart working matters in real games and exercises.	OH-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with classmates during movement activities. The focus is on treating others fairly and making good choices as part of a group.	OH-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes them feel. They learn to choose activities they enjoy so staying active becomes a habit they keep for life.	OH-PE.4.1

Physical Education

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

OH-PE.1.1

Students practice basic ways to move their bodies, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These building blocks help them stay active and handle more complex movement as they grow.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

OH-PE.2.1

Students connect what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to actually do physical activities well. That means understanding why warming up, moving with control, and keeping the heart working matters in real games and exercises.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

OH-PE.3.1

Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with classmates during movement activities. The focus is on treating others fairly and making good choices as part of a group.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

OH-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes them feel. They learn to choose activities they enjoy so staying active becomes a habit they keep for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice basic ways to move their bodies, like running, jumping, balancing, and throwing. These building blocks help them stay active and handle more complex movement as they grow.	OH-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students connect what they know about how the body moves and stays healthy to actually do physical activities well. That means understanding why warming up, moving with control, and keeping the heart working matters in real games and exercises.	OH-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice taking turns, listening, and working with classmates during movement activities. The focus is on treating others fairly and making good choices as part of a group.	OH-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes them feel. They learn to choose activities they enjoy so staying active becomes a habit they keep for life.	OH-PE.4.1

Common Questions

What does physical education look like this year?
Students practice running, skipping, jumping, hopping, and galloping. They learn to throw, catch, kick, and bounce a ball. They also start working with partners and small groups, taking turns and following game rules.
How can I help my child stay active at home?
Aim for an hour of active play most days. Toss a ball back and forth, set up a hopping path with chalk, or play tag in the yard. Short bursts count too, so a few minutes of dancing or jumping before dinner is real practice.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I worry?
Big differences are normal at this age. Coordination grows with practice, not pressure. Give plenty of low-stakes chances to climb, balance on a curb, ride a scooter, or toss a soft ball. Skills usually catch up by the end of the year.
How do I sequence motor skills across the year?
Start with locomotor skills like running, skipping, and galloping in open space. Add non-locomotor work such as balancing, twisting, and stretching. Bring in manipulative skills like rolling, throwing, and catching once students can move safely around each other.
Which skills usually need the most reteaching?
Skipping, galloping, and catching a tossed ball tend to lag behind running and jumping. Underhand throwing with the opposite foot forward also needs steady reminders. Build in short warm-up drills that revisit these skills two or three times a week.
How do I handle students who refuse to participate or get upset when they lose?
Teach a few simple rules for cooperation early: take turns, use kind words, and shake it off when a game ends. Keep teams small and rotate often so no one gets stuck losing. Praise effort and good sportsmanship out loud, not just winning.
Does my child need to be good at sports to do well this year?
No. The focus is on trying skills, moving safely, and playing fairly with classmates. A student who keeps practicing and cooperates with the group is doing exactly what is expected, even if throws miss and catches drop.
How do I know students are ready for next year?
By spring, most students can run, skip, and jump with control, throw and catch a soft ball at short range, and balance on one foot for a few seconds. They should also follow basic game rules and work with a partner without constant reminders.