Physical Education Benchmarks
As a result of participating in a quality physical education program it is
reasonable to expect that the student will be able to
- Travel, in different ways, in a large group without bumping into others or
falling.
- Travel, in forward and sideways directions, and change direction quickly
in response to a signal.
- Demonstrate clear contrasts between slow and fast speeds while traveling.
- Distinguish between straight, curved, and zig-zag pathways while traveling
in various ways.
- Make both large and small body shapes while traveling.
- Travel, demonstrating a variety of relationships with objects, (e.g. over,
under, behind, alongside, through).
- Place a variety of body parts into high, middle, and low levels.
- Without falling, walk forward and sideways the length of a bench.
- Roll sideways (right or left) without hesitating or stopping.
- Toss a ball and catch it before it bounces twice.
- Demonstrate the difference between an overhand and underhand throw.
- Kick a stationary ball, using a smooth, continuous running approach prior
to the kick.
- Continuously jump a swinging rope held by others.
- Form, round, narrow, wide, and twisted body shapes alone and with a
partner.
- Walk and run using a mature motor pattern.
- Sustain moderate physical activity.
- Participate daily in vigorous physical activity.
- Identify selected body parts, skills, and movement concepts.
- Recognize that skill development requires practice.
- Recognize that physical activity is good for personal well-being.
- State guidelines and behaviors for the safe use of equipment and
apparatus.
- Identify feelings that result from participation in physical activities.
- Enjoy participation alone and with others.
- Look forward to physical education lessons.
*NASPE Physical Education Outcomes Project
As a result of participating in a quality physical education program it is
reasonable to expect that the student will be able to
- Travel in a backward direction and change direction quickly, and safely,
without falling.
- Travel, changing speeds and directions, in response to a variety of
rhythms.
- Combine various traveling patterns in time to the music.
- Jump and land using a combination of one and two foot take-offs and
landings.
- Demonstrate skills of chasing, fleeing, and dodging to avoid or catch
others.
- Roll smoothly in a forward direction without stopping or hesitating.
- Balance, demonstrating momentary stillness, in symmetrical and
asymmetrical shapes on a variety of body parts.
- Move feet into a high level by placing the weight on the hands and landing
with control.
- Use the inside or instep of the foot to kick a slowly rolling ball into
the air or along the ground.
- Throw a ball hard demonstrating an overhand technique, a side
orientation, and opposition.
- Catch, using properly positioned hands, a gently thrown ball.
- Continuously dribble a ball, using the hands or feet, without losing
control.
- Use at least three different body parts to strike a ball toward a target.
- Strike a ball repeatedly with a paddle.
- Consistently strike a ball with a bat from a tee or cone, using a correct
grip and side orientation.
- Repeatedly jump a self-turned rope.
- Combine shapes, levels, and pathways into simple sequences.
- Skip, hop, gallop, and slide using mature motor patterns.
- Move each joint through a full range of motion.
- Manage own body weight while hanging and climbing.
- Demonstrate safety while participating in physical activity.
- Participate in a wide variety of activities that involve locomotion,
nonlocomotion, and the manipulation of various objects.
- Recognize similar movement concepts in a variety of skills.
- Identify appropriate behaviors for participating with others in physical
activity.
- Identify changes in the body during physical activity.
- State reasons for safe and controlled movements.
- Appreciate the benefits that accompany cooperation and sharing.
- Accept the feelings resulting from challenges, successes, and failures in
physical activity.
- Be considerate of others in physical activity settings.
*NASPE Physical Education Outcomes Project
As a result of participating in a quality physical education program it is
reasonable to expect that the student will be able to
- While traveling, avoid or catch an individual or object.
- Leap, leading with either foot.
- Roll, in a backward direction, without hesitating or stopping.
- Transfer weight, form feet to hands, at fast and slow speeds using large
extensions (e.g., mulekick, handstand, cartwheel).
- Hand dribble and foot dribble a ball and maintain control while traveling
within a group.
- Strike a softly thrown, lightweight ball back to a partner using a variety
of body parts, and combinations of body parts (e.g., the bump volley as in
volleyball, the thigh as in soccer).
- Consistently strike a softly thrown ball with a bat or paddle
demonstrating an appropriate grip, side to the target and swing plane.
- Develop patterns and combinations of movements into repeatable sequences.
- Without hesitating, travel into and out of a rope turned by others.
- Balance, with control, on a variety of moving objects (e.g., balance
boards, skates, scooters).
- Jump and land for height, and jump and land for distance using a mature
motor pattern.
- Throw, catch, and kick using mature motor patterns.
- Demonstrate competence in basic swimming strokes and survival skills in,
on, and around the water.
- Maintain continuous aerobic activity for a specified time.
- Maintain appropriate body alignment during activity (e.g., lift, carry,
push, pull).
- Support, lift, and control body weight in a variety of activities.
- Regularly participate in physical activity for the purpose of improving
skillful performance and physical fitness.
- Distinguish between compliance non-compliance with game rules and fair
play.
- Select and categorize specialized equipment used for participation in a
variety of activities.
- Recognize fundamental components and strategies used in simple games and
activities.
- Identify ways movement concepts can be used to refine movement skills.
- Identify activities that contribute to personal feelings of joy.
- Describe essential elements of mature movement patterns.
- Describe healthful benefits that result from regular and appropriate
participation in physical activity.
- Analyze potential risks associated with physical activities.
- Design games, gymnastics, and dance sequences that are personally
interesting.
- Appreciate differences and similarities in others' physical activity.
- Respect persons from different backgrounds and the cultural significance
they attribute to various games, dances, and physical activities.
- Enjoy feelings resulting from involvement in physical activity.
- Celebrate personal successes and achievements and those of others.
*NASPE Physical Education Outcomes Project
As a result of participating in a quality physical education program it is
reasonable to expect that the student will be able to
- Throw a variety of object demonstrating both accuracy and distance (e.g.,
Frisbees, deck tennis rings, footballs).
- Continuously strike a ball to a wall, or a partner, with a paddle using
forehand and backhand strokes.
- Consistently strike a ball, using a gold club or a hockey stick, so that
it travels in an intended direction and height.
- Design and perform gymnastics and dance sequences that combine traveling,
rolling, balancing, and weight transfer into smooth, flowing sequences with
intentional changes in direction, speed, and flow.
- Hand dribble and foot dribble while preventing an opponent from stealing
the ball.
- In a small group keep an object continuously in the air without catching
it (e.g., ball, foot bag).
- Consistently throw and catch a ball while guarded by opponents.
- Design and play small group games that involve cooperating with others to
keep an object away from opponents (basic offensive and defensive strategy)
(e.g., by throwing, kicking, and /or dribbling a ball).
- Design and refine a routine, combining various jump rope movements to
music, so that it can be repeated without error.
- Leap, roll, balance, transfer weight, bat, volley, hand and foot dribble,
and strike a ball with a paddle, using mature motor patterns.
- Demonstrate proficiency in front, back, and side swimming strokes.
- Participate in vigorous activity for a sustained period of time while
maintaining a target heart rate.
- Recover from vigorous physical activity in an appropriate length of time.
- Monitor heart rate before,during, and after activity.
- Correctly demonstrate activities designed to improve and maintain muscular
strength and endurance, flexibility, and cardiorespiratory functioning.
- Participate in games, sports, dance, and outdoor pursuits, both in and
outside of school, based on individual interests and capabilities.
- Recognize that idealized images of the human body and performance, as
presented by the media, may not be appropriate to imitate.
- Recognize that time and effort are prerequisites for skill improvement and
fitness benefits.
- Recognize the role of games, sports, and dance in getting to know and
understand others of like and different cultures.
- Identify opportunities in the school and community for regular
participation in physical activity.
- Identify principles of training and conditioning for physical activity.
- Identify proper warm-up, conditioning, and cool-down techniques and the
reasons for using them.
- Identify benefits resulting from participation in different forms of
physical activities.
- Detect, analyze, and correct error in personal movement patterns.
- Describe ways to use the body and movement activities to communicate ideas
and feelings.
- Accept and respect the decisions made by game officials, whether they are
students, teachers, or officials outside of school.
- Seek out, participate with, and show respect for persons of like and
different skill levels.
- Choose to exercise at home for personal enjoyment and benefit.
*NASPE Physical Education Outcomes Project