Elementary Physical Education (JK - 5)

Mission Statement
The mission of JK-8 physical education in the Cambridge Public Schools is to use physical activity to teach students the physical, cognitive (intellectual), and social skills necessary to develop and sustain a healthy lifestyle. This mission is achieved through the delivery of a planned, sequential, K-12 Curriculum that draws its content and program goals from the MADOE&SE comprehensive health frameworks and the NASPE standards

Elementary: Jk-5 Teaching Model
Cambridge Public Schools follows a skill theme approach for teaching physical education in grades K through 5.

What are ‘Skill Themes’ and ‘Movement Concepts’? Skill themes are fundamental movements that are later modified into more specialized patterns on which activities of increasing complexity are built. Movement concepts are taught in conjunction with the skill themes. Movement concepts are the ideas used to modify or enrich the range and effectiveness of skill employment. Movement concepts include space awareness, effort, and relationships. Our primary goal, then, is to provide children with a degree of competence leading to the confidence that encourages them to try and enjoy a variety of activities and sports.

Characteristics of the skill theme approach:

  • Competence in performing a variety of locomotor, nonmanipulative and manipulative motor skills is a major purpose of the skill theme approach.
  • The skill theme approach is designed to provide experiences appropriate to a child’s developmental level, as opposed to age or grade level.
  • The scope and sequence of the skill themes are designed to reflect the varying needs and interests of students over a period of years.

Skill Themes

Locomotor Skills Nonmanipulative Skills Manipulative Skills
Walking
Running
Hopping
Skipping
Galloping
Sliding
Chasing, fleeing, dodging
Turning
Twisting
Rolling
Balancing
Transferring weight
Jumping and landing
Stretching
Curling
Throwing
Catching and collecting
Kicking
Punting
Dribbling
Volleying
Striking w/ rackets
Striking w/ long-handled implements


Scope and Sequence

Concepts (big ideas) taught throughout the units:

Rules
Respect
Responsibility
Safety
Cooperation
Exploration
Fitness
Fundamental Movement
Department Information

Health Education Information


Physical Education Information

Elementary: Middle School: High School: District:
Contact Us

Blair Williams, Interim JK-12 Curriculum Coordinator (Health, PE, and Wellness)
Judith Doran, Clerk (Health, PE, Wellness, and Athletics)
Ariana Starling, Lead Teacher (JK-8 Health Education and Wellness)
Libby Case, Lead Teacher (JK-8 PE)
Sara Varella, Lead Teacher (JK-12 Aquatic Programming)
Michael O`Connell, Lead Teacher (CRLS/HSEP 9-12 Wellness Program)



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