Kindergarten Physical Education Scope & Sequence Guide
A PE scope and sequence plans movement skills, game and sport units, fitness education, and health literacy across the year — ensuring SHAPE America standards for physical literacy, fitness, and responsible personal and social behavior.
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PE pacing should balance skill development units (where a specific movement skill is the focus) with sport/game application units (where students apply skills in increasingly complex contexts) and fitness and health literacy threads that run throughout the year. Plan 4–6 major units per year, with fitness assessments in Q1 (baseline) and Q4 (year-end comparison).
Typical Units for Kindergarten PE
Unit 1: Fitness Foundation & Assessment
3–4 weeksEstablishing fitness vocabulary, baseline Fitnessgram or similar assessment, setting personal goals
Key Standards Focus
- ›Health-related fitness components
- ›Fitness goal setting with SMART framework
- ›Self-assessment and monitoring
Unit 2: Locomotor & Manipulative Skills
5–6 weeksFoundational movement skills — throwing, catching, striking, kicking — with graduated complexity
Key Standards Focus
- ›Locomotor skills in dynamic environments
- ›Manipulative skill development
- ›Movement concepts: space, effort, relationships
Unit 3: Invasion Game Unit
6–8 weeksApplying movement skills in an invasion game context (soccer, basketball, flag football, ultimate frisbee)
Key Standards Focus
- ›Tactical understanding of invasion games
- ›Responsible personal and social behavior
- ›Rules, strategies, and etiquette
Unit 4: Net/Wall or Target Game Unit + Health Literacy
6–7 weeksNet/wall games (volleyball, badminton, tennis) or target games, combined with health literacy instruction
Key Standards Focus
- ›Skill application in net/wall context
- ›Health knowledge and behavior choices
- ›Physical activity outside school
Assessment Windows
Pacing Considerations
- ›Weather and facility scheduling affect PE more than any other subject — build flexibility into outdoor units
- ›Fitness assessment days require non-competitive, private administration to protect student dignity
- ›Equipment setup and breakdown take real time — factor 5–7 minutes off each class period when planning activity time
- ›Q1 classroom management and safety routines are non-negotiable — spend the first 2 weeks establishing them
- ›Dance and rhythmic activity units often face resistance — schedule them in Q2 or Q3 after community is established
Vertical Alignment
From Prior Grade
Students arrive with varying motor skill proficiency — use Q1 informal observation to group students appropriately before formal instruction
Toward Next Grade
Students should leave able to self-manage their physical activity, understand fitness components, and apply tactical decision-making in at least one invasion and one net/wall game context
Planning Tips
Frequently Asked Questions
How many sport units should I include in a year-long PE scope and sequence?
2–3 major sport/game units is appropriate for most grades. More units means less time in each — and skill development requires repetition over time. Two 6-week units where students truly develop game sense and decision-making outperform six 2-week units where students only scratch the surface.
How do I assess PE skills fairly and inclusively?
Use performance rubrics that assess observable criteria (stepping with opposition, contacting the ball at the right point) rather than outcome measures (distance, speed). Offer multiple demonstrations of the skill across different sessions. Separate fitness assessment from skill assessment — fitness has genetic components that are outside student control.