Elementary PE Scope and Sequence: Simple K-5 Year-Long PE Plan

Planning an entire year of elementary PE doesn’t have to feel overwhelming! Having a simple elementary PE scope and sequence helps you see the big picture, stay organized, and make sure your K-5 students are building important physical education skills throughout the school year.

Elementary PE Scope and Sequence

Today, I’m sharing my K-5 year-long PE plan, broken down month by month with the main skills and standards I focus on along the way.

From back-to-school routines and movement fundamentals to throwing, catching, striking, sport skills, fitness, teamwork, and game play, this simple PE curriculum map gives you an easy-to-follow roadmap for the entire school year.

Because I live and teach in Michigan, I base my Elementary PE Scope and Sequence on the Michigan K-12 Physical Education Standards from the Michigan Department of Education.

Hi there, it’s so great to meet you! I’m Mrs. T. (or you can call me Jen) – a Michigan mom, wife, new grandma (aka “Jemma”) K-12 PE teacher, blogger (Love 2 Teach and Learn) and author of 59 CRAZY FUN Elementary PE Games that ROCK!

59 Crazy Fun Elementary PE Games that ROCK - Love 2 Teach and Learn

I love teaching PE class because I get to spend time telling Silly SPORTS JOKES and exercising, while laughing with my students.

I’m also on a serious mission to MAKE SCHOOL FUN AGAIN and I believe physical education class is the ABSOLUTE BEST WAY to do just that!

These standards help guide the skills, movement concepts, fitness activities, and personal and social behaviors I focus on with my K-5 students throughout the school year.

Use it as inspiration for your own PE program, adjust it to fit your students and schedule, and make it your own. Now, let’s start with Month #1—September! 🍎

🍎 September PE: Back to School & Movement Fundamentals

September is all about setting the stage for a successful year with PE routines, safe movement, teamwork, and the fundamental movement skills students will use all year long.

Gym Rules, Procedures, Routines
Personal Space & Pathways
Locomotor skills (walk, run, hop, skip, jump, leap, gallop, slide)
Balance & Body Control
Cooperation & Teamwork
Sportsmanship, Respect, Good Manners

🍎Want to Dive Deeper Into My September PE Plan? You can get all the details in my SEPTEMBER PE PLAN HERE!

🎙️I also dedicated an entire episode of the CRAZY FUN PE with Mrs. T. podcast to my September PE plan! Listen below as I walk you through the six essential skills I focus on during the first month of school—and why they help set the tone for the entire year.

▶️LISTEN RIGHT HERE:

🎃 October PE: Throwing, Rolling & Catching Skills

In October, we begin building our object-control skills with lots of practice rolling, throwing, catching, and working with a partner.

Underhand Rolling
Bowling
Underhand Throwing
Catching
Tracking Objects with Eyes
Throwing for Accuracy
Partner Cooperation

🦃 November PE: Overhand Throwing & Striking Skills

November builds on our throwing and catching skills while introducing students to striking and other important hand-eye coordination skills.

Overhand Throwing
Throwing for Distance
Throwing for Accuracy
Striking with Hands
Striking with Paddles
Lead Passing

🎄 December PE: Kicking & Soccer Skills

In December, we shift the focus to foot skills as students practice kicking, trapping, dribbling, passing, and other soccer-related skills.

Kicking
Trapping
Foot Dribbling
Passing
Receiving
Shooting

❄️ January PE: Basketball & Invasion Games

January is a great time to work on basketball and invasion game skills, including dribbling, passing, shooting, moving into open space, and working together as a team.

Hand Dribbling
Chest Pass
Bounce Pass
Passing & Receiving
Shooting
Offensive Movements

❤️ February PE: Volleyball, Tennis & Net/Wall Games

In February, we focus on net and wall game skills as students practice volleying, serving, striking with paddles or rackets, and controlling an object over a net.

Underhand Serve
Forearm Pass (Bump)
Volley
Ready Position
Forehand/Backhand Striking
Cooperative Volleys

☘️ March PE: Striking, Fielding & Target Games

March brings more opportunities to develop striking, throwing, catching, fielding, and accuracy through fun striking, fielding, and target games.

Batting
Fielding
Putting (Mini Golf)
Cup Stacking
Target Accuracy
Dance & Rhythm

🌧️ April PE: Fitness & Lifetime Activities

In April, our focus turns toward fitness and lifetime activities that help students understand how movement can keep their bodies healthy, strong, and active for life.

Cardiovascular Endurance
Muscular Strength
Flexibility
Jump Rope
Fitness Concepts & Goal Setting

☀️ May & June PE: Game Play, Strategy & Field Day

We wrap up the school year by putting everything together through game play, teamwork, strategy, outdoor activities, and—of course—Field Day fun!

Applying Sports Skills
Offensive & Defensive Strategies
More Teamwork/Sportsmanship
Cooperative Challenges
Field Day & Outdoor Games

Ready for an Amazing Year of Elementary PE?

I hope this Elementary PE Scope and Sequence gives you a simple starting point for planning an organized, engaging, and FUN year of physical education!

Remember, every school, schedule, and group of students is different, so use this year-long plan as a guide, make it your own, and focus on creating plenty of opportunities for your students to move, learn, and have fun along the way.

Here’s to an awesome school year filled with movement, teamwork, smiles, and lots of CRAZY FUN PE! 🎉🏃‍♀️🏀