Physical Education Lesson Plans

Students choose a group to work with and sign up. They then choose which physical education activities, and the length of time in each activity to increase the level of responsibility, participation and ownership in the middle school Physical Education program.

Students write an e-mail message about what they have been doing in their physical education class. They break in to groups of 3 or 4 students and use the teacher's e-mail account to send an e-mail to their Pen Pal. They then read posted e-mail replies from around the country.

Young scholars participate in physical education activities such as dancing or completing stationary swimming movements. They perform various actions to specified instruments such as guitars and drums. Students attempt to stay away from "taggers."

Students select a 'Sweat Head" at the end of the physical education class to represent the effort they believe they gave during class. The "Sweat Heads" are pictures of faces with either 100, 80, 50, or 30 written on them. Each "Head" contains different amounts of "Sweat" on it.

Fifth graders explore the benefits of cardiovascular fitness. In this physical education lesson, 5th graders use pedometers and bio-impedance analyzers to rate their personal fitness levels and learn exercises that benefit their overall physical health.

Students utilize photographs to investigate the history of physical activities.  In this physical education lesson, students examine historic photographs in a PowerPoint slide show of men and women exercising.  Students compare and contrast these images and actions with modern day exercises.

Students determine why uniforms are needed for physical education classes. For this physical education lesson, students compare photographs of how students dressed for physical education classes in the past with today.

Students explore building upper body strength. In this physical education lesson, students view a Power Point presentation in which the benefits of rock climbing are illustrated. Students perform daily upper body strength exercises that emulate rock climbing, and record the type and length of exercise in a journal. Students calculate mileage and use one minute of exercise as the equivalent of one mile to fulfill daily requirements.

Third graders play penguin-inspired games. In this physical education lesson, 3rd graders practice their gross motor skills as they play penguin soccer, penguin bowling, and tobogganing. Students learn songs to accompany the games and write lyrics for songs.

Students practice using their physical skills while performing physical activities.  In this physical education lesson, students participate in musical orchestrated dances with their classmates.  Students utilize a jump rope and musical instruments as they collaborate with classmates.