Physical Education

PE (Physical Education) at Sisters Elementary School helps students develop the skills, confidence, and healthy habits needed to enjoy an active life. Throughout the elementary years, students build physical literacy through movement, games, individual and team activities, while developing coordination, balance, strength, endurance, and an understanding of how physical activity supports overall health and well-being.

Just as importantly, PE provides opportunities to practice skills that extend beyond physical fitness. Students learn to work together, follow rules, communicate, demonstrate sportsmanship, persevere through challenges, and participate respectfully with others. The goal is to create positive experiences with movement so every student can discover ways to be active that they enjoy.

Have questions? Please contact Sisters Elementary School for more information or assistance.

Building the Foundation

In Kindergarten and First Grade, physical education begins with movement and body awareness. Students develop fundamental motor skills such as running, jumping, hopping, skipping, throwing, catching, kicking, and balancing through developmentally appropriate games and activities.

Young students also learn how to safely participate in a physical education setting, following directions, understanding personal space, taking turns, using equipment appropriately, and playing cooperatively with classmates. At this stage, success is about building confidence and helping children experience movement as something positive and fun.

Developing Skills & Coordination

In Second Grade and Third Grade, students begin combining fundamental movements into increasingly complex skills and activities. Coordination, agility, balance, spatial awareness, and control continue to develop as students participate in a wider variety of games and movement experiences.

Students also become more aware of teamwork, rules, strategy, and sportsmanship. They practice working toward shared goals, responding appropriately to both success and disappointment, and recognizing that improvement comes through practice and persistence.

Building Fitness, Teamwork & Independence

By Fourth Grade and Fifth Grade, students are increasingly able to apply their movement skills within more complex individual and group activities. They develop greater understanding of concepts such as fitness, endurance, strength, flexibility, coordination, and healthy physical activity, while continuing to refine sport- and activity-related skills.

Older elementary students also take greater responsibility for how they participate. Teamwork, communication, leadership, fair play, and respect become increasingly important as activities require students to make decisions, solve problems, work with different classmates, and contribute positively to a group.

Physical education at this level also helps students begin making the connection between regular movement and lifelong wellness. Rather than defining physical activity only through competitive sports, students are encouraged to recognize that there are many ways to stay active and that finding activities they enjoy is an important part of maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

The K-5 Journey

Across the elementary years, the progression is intentional: basic movement develops into coordination and control; individual skills grow into increasingly complex activities; and participation develops into a greater understanding of fitness, teamwork, sportsmanship, and personal wellness.

By the end of fifth grade, our goal is for students to leave SES with the skills and confidence to participate, an understanding of why movement matters, and a positive relationship with physical activity. Whether students find joy through team sports, outdoor recreation, individual activities, or simply being active with family and friends, we want them to carry healthy habits and a love of movement into middle school and throughout their lives.