Fourth - Physical Education

Fourth-Grade students in SFUSD engage in 100 minutes of weekly physical education instruction provided by a credentialed teacher. This may look like an average of three 35-minute classes per week or two 50-minute classes per week. While lesson structures vary, the overall design of the units remains consistent. 

SFUSD Physical Education focuses on cardio fitness, social-emotional learning, and overall health by teaching units that prioritize maximum student engagement, motor skill and movement pattern development, creativity and exploration of movement, positive social interactions with peers, growth mindset skills, and development of physical literacy. 

Demonstrating knowledge of concepts and motor skills by engaging in meaningful movement experiences - developing competence and confidence by participating in activities that are age and developmentally appropriate, challenging, socially engaging, personally relevant, and enjoyable.

• Throws and catches an object with a partner while both are moving
• Keeps a dribbled ball away from a defender
• Stops a kicked ball by trapping it with the foot

Going beyond demonstrating knowledge of concepts and motor skills by being able to identify specific cues, understanding the “why” of movement or concepts, and reflecting on their movement experiences.  

• Calculates heart rate for 10 and 15-second intervals
• Sets short-term goals for cardio endurance
• Identifies healthful choices for meals and snacks that help improve physical performance

Developing their social and emotional well-being by experiencing meaningful and culturally affirming learning opportunities - learning to manage emotions, exhibit empathy and kindness for others, foster and maintain positive relationships, and develop social skills to manage various situations and problem-solve.   

• Respond to winning and losing with dignity and respect
• Accepts responsibility for their own performance without blaming others
• Includes others in physical activities and respects individual differences in skill and motivation

In fourth grade, students will begin working toward personal physical activity goals. They will learn fundamental goal-setting principles and develop action plans that will help them achieve their goals. These lifelong skills help students to build grit and determination within themselves as they work towards any goal they set for themselves, both while in PE and throughout their lives.

Integral to students’ experiences in Physical Education is the work they will do in developing a Growth Mindset. Fourth Graders will participate in lessons embedded with growth mindset concepts and strategies. Students will learn to use positive self-talk, constructive feedback, and the power of “yet,” to build determination and resilience when experiencing challenges both in and out of PE class.

Fourth-grade students will have the opportunity to run a 5K race. Students will work over the course of two months to increase their cardiorespiratory endurance, through consistent training and goal-setting in their PE classes. Participating and training for this event helps promote improved physical fitness and teaches students important fitness skills they can take with them for a lifetime.