What does physical education look like for first graders?

Students practice the basic moves that show up in every sport and game: running, skipping, hopping, jumping, balancing, and throwing and catching. They also learn how to share space safely, follow simple rules, and take turns with classmates.

How can I help my child stay active at home?

Aim for short bursts of active play most days, like tag in the yard, a walk to the park, or tossing a ball back and forth. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty. The goal is building the habit, not hitting a number.

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

At this age, kids develop coordination at very different rates. Easy practice at home helps: hopping on one foot, balancing on a curb, catching a rolled-up sock. Most differences even out with regular play.

What skills usually need the most practice?

Catching, skipping, and balancing on one foot tend to take the longest to settle in. Throwing with the opposite foot forward is also new for most first graders. Plan to revisit these across the year rather than teach them once.

How should I sequence skills across the year?

Start with locomotor moves like running, hopping, and galloping in open space. Move into balance and body control, then introduce throwing, catching, kicking, and striking. Save partner and small-group games for later in the year, once students can share space safely.

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

First graders are still learning how to manage frustration in a group. Keep games short, change partners often, and praise effort and good sportsmanship out loud. Cooperative tasks before competitive ones help students build trust with classmates.

Does my child need special equipment or sports lessons?

No. A bouncy ball, some sidewalk chalk, and a bit of open space cover most of what students practice this year. Organized sports are fine but not necessary. Free play with other kids does the same work.

How do I know my child is ready for second grade in PE?

By the end of the year, students should run, skip, and hop with control, catch a ball tossed gently from a short distance, and follow the rules of a simple group game. They should also be able to name a few reasons why moving their body feels good.

What does a student learn in ?

This is the year movement gets more deliberate. Students practice running, jumping, skipping, balancing, and tossing and catching with better control. They learn to take turns, share space safely, and follow simple rules during games and warm-ups. By spring, students can move through a basic obstacle course, toss a ball to a partner, and play a group game without bumping into classmates.

Running and jumping
Throwing and catching
Balance
Following game rules
Taking turns
Active play

Source: Vermont Common Core State 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 how to share a gym space, follow directions, and use equipment without bumping into classmates. Parents may hear about new warm-up routines and class rules for safe play.
2
Running, jumping, and skipping
Students practice the basic ways bodies travel. They work on running with control, jumping and landing softly, and trying skips, hops, and gallops across the floor.
3
Throwing, catching, and kicking
Students start handling balls and beanbags. They practice tossing underhand to a partner, catching with two hands, and kicking a ball toward a target.
4
Balance, stretching, and body control
Students explore what their bodies can do while staying in one spot. They balance on one foot, stretch, twist, and notice how their heart and breathing speed up during activity.
5
Games and active play
Students put their skills together in simple group games. They practice taking turns, cheering on classmates, and choosing active games they enjoy 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

VT-PE.1.1

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, such as jumping, balancing, and throwing a ball. These basic movement skills are the foundation for sports, games, and staying active throughout life.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

VT-PE.2.1

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to work during activities. They might learn why warming up helps, then actually do it before a game or run.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

VT-PE.3.1

Students practice sharing space, taking turns, and working with partners during movement activities. The focus is on treating classmates with respect and making group games run smoothly.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

VT-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is to build habits that keep them moving, not just during school, but for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, such as jumping, balancing, and throwing a ball. These basic movement skills are the foundation for sports, games, and staying active throughout life.	VT-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to work during activities. They might learn why warming up helps, then actually do it before a game or run.	VT-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice sharing space, taking turns, and working with partners during movement activities. The focus is on treating classmates with respect and making group games run smoothly.	VT-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is to build habits that keep them moving, not just during school, but for life.	VT-PE.4.1

Physical Education

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

VT-PE.1.1

Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, such as jumping, balancing, and throwing a ball. These basic movement skills are the foundation for sports, games, and staying active throughout life.
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance

VT-PE.2.1

Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to work during activities. They might learn why warming up helps, then actually do it before a game or run.
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…

VT-PE.3.1

Students practice sharing space, taking turns, and working with partners during movement activities. The focus is on treating classmates with respect and making group games run smoothly.
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement

VT-PE.4.1

Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is to build habits that keep them moving, not just during school, but for life.

Standard	Definition	Code
Develop a variety of motor skills, including locomotor, non-locomotor	Students practice moving their bodies in different ways, such as jumping, balancing, and throwing a ball. These basic movement skills are the foundation for sports, games, and staying active throughout life.	VT-PE.1.1
Apply knowledge related to movement, performance	Students learn basic ideas about how their bodies move and stay healthy, then put those ideas to work during activities. They might learn why warming up helps, then actually do it before a game or run.	VT-PE.2.1
Develop social skills through movement, including respect for self and others…	Students practice sharing space, taking turns, and working with partners during movement activities. The focus is on treating classmates with respect and making group games run smoothly.	VT-PE.3.1
Develop personal skills, identify personal benefits of movement	Students practice basic movement skills and start to notice how being active makes their body feel. The goal is to build habits that keep them moving, not just during school, but for life.	VT-PE.4.1

Common Questions

What does physical education look like for first graders?
Students practice the basic moves that show up in every sport and game: running, skipping, hopping, jumping, balancing, and throwing and catching. They also learn how to share space safely, follow simple rules, and take turns with classmates.
How can I help my child stay active at home?
Aim for short bursts of active play most days, like tag in the yard, a walk to the park, or tossing a ball back and forth. Ten to twenty minutes is plenty. The goal is building the habit, not hitting a number.
My child seems clumsy compared to other kids. Should I be worried?
At this age, kids develop coordination at very different rates. Easy practice at home helps: hopping on one foot, balancing on a curb, catching a rolled-up sock. Most differences even out with regular play.
What skills usually need the most practice?
Catching, skipping, and balancing on one foot tend to take the longest to settle in. Throwing with the opposite foot forward is also new for most first graders. Plan to revisit these across the year rather than teach them once.
How should I sequence skills across the year?
Start with locomotor moves like running, hopping, and galloping in open space. Move into balance and body control, then introduce throwing, catching, kicking, and striking. Save partner and small-group games for later in the year, once students can share space safely.
How do I handle students who refuse to participate or get upset when they lose?
First graders are still learning how to manage frustration in a group. Keep games short, change partners often, and praise effort and good sportsmanship out loud. Cooperative tasks before competitive ones help students build trust with classmates.
Does my child need special equipment or sports lessons?
No. A bouncy ball, some sidewalk chalk, and a bit of open space cover most of what students practice this year. Organized sports are fine but not necessary. Free play with other kids does the same work.
How do I know my child is ready for second grade in PE?
By the end of the year, students should run, skip, and hop with control, catch a ball tossed gently from a short distance, and follow the rules of a simple group game. They should also be able to name a few reasons why moving their body feels good.