r/PhysicalEducation

I would really appreciate any ideas for making PE class fun and engaging for K-5. Also if you have just any pointers in general please share. I'll be using Quaver. I'm not new to teaching but this will be my first year teaching PE.

I’m looking for some possible insight and advice on where I should start. For background, I did go to university for PE, but that program was primarily centered around primary rather than secondary PE. At this new school, I’m going to be the sole PE teacher. I will basically be going in blind as to what routines and procedures the former teacher used, and I’d like to know what I should use as well.

I’d also be interested to see some sample lesson plans or unit plans just to gain ideas if anyone would be willing to help out.

Thank you.

I've been looking at dodgeballs recently, and one label I keep seeing is school-grade. I assumed there was a clear standard behind it, but the more I read, the less obvious it became.

I looked through descriptions from sporting goods suppliers and even a few alibaba listings to see if there was a consistent explanation, but they all seemed to focus on different things. Some highlighted softer foam, others emphasized durability or safety, and a few didn't explain the term at all.

For those of you who buy equipment for PE programs, what does school-grade actually mean in practice? Is it mainly about using lower-impact materials for student safety? Is there a durability standard schools typically look for? Or is it simply a label manufacturers use for products intended for educational settings?

I'm curious because it seems like a straightforward term, yet I couldn't find a consistent explanation. I'd love to hear how you evaluate dodgeballs when purchasing for your classes.

I been a para i outgrew the position I am thinking of doing wither school counselor , school psychologist, PE or , school social worker. I did have my degree in education to teach TESOL but dont want to teach that. Does anyone have any reccomendation? I enjoy working with students and the hours I dont think I want to teach academics. I am introvert and like to work alone but dont mind a group sometimes. I enjoy helping people but I dont always want to deal with so much emotional and physical load.

According to NFHS-6 (2023–24), obesity among women (15–49 years) has risen from 24% to 30.7%, while among men it has increased from 22.9% to 27.3%.

High blood sugar levels have also increased significantly. India now faces a double burden: persistent undernutrition among children alongside rapidly rising obesity among adults, which is driving diabetes and heart disease.

Traditional diets are increasingly being replaced by ultra-processed foods (UPFs), sugary drinks, and packaged snacks. The UPF market in India is growing at more than 13.7% annually.

Physical inactivity is becoming a nationwide epidemic. A 2025 Lancet study projected that by 2050, 218 million men and 231 million women in India will be overweight.

Given these trends, should schools move beyond the traditional nutrition approach and adopt a more skill-based approach?

For example:

Regular physical activity and sports as compulsory parts of the curriculum

Teaching students how to read food labels

Understanding food marketing and advertising tactics

Basic cooking and meal-planning skills

Education on sleep, mental health, and lifestyle habits

What else can schools do to become powerful public health-promoting institutions? I'd love to hear your ideas and experiences.

I’m 24 years old. I’ve taught one year of k-5 PE and I really enjoyed it. The issue is I’ve been driving 50 mins to work each way and that is getting old fast. I also had a co-teacher who showed me the ropes. Second, I’ve been offered a 6-8 PE position at a school only 15 minutes away and I’m considering taking it. However, I’d be the Only PE teacher. They haven’t mentioned coaching or anything, but I do have a year of assistant football and track and field coaching. I also worked in a middle school for a year as classified staff before I landed a PE position.

Is it worth it to move into the middle school PE setting. My gut is telling me I should take the opportunity but I feel like I’d have no clue where to start especially being the only PE teacher in building.

I have two years of experience teaching PE (grades 5th-8th)…10 years ago. After time working at a family business, I’m back in the PE Teacher role and I’m excited! This is what I WANT to do, so I’m grateful the opportunity to do so presented itself.

This time around I’ll be Elementary (K-6). I do have history of running sports camps for 2nd-5th grade, and now have kids in elementary school myself. I live in Arizona, and it’s HOT so when we can’t be outside during to heat, I’ll be using the cafeteria or MPR.

But my question is, what are some key things I should expect / be ready for after being away from teaching for so long? Any good ideas, sources, etc you’d want to share?

Appreciate it!

I’m starting my first year in PE next year… making the switch from dress shoes to something more comfortable… what shoes do you recommend? Thanks!

So I’m 28 and transitioned from active duty Air Force over to the reserves. I’m going to be starting school online for physical education. Is it possible for me to be a teachers assistant while attending school online? My plan is to be an elementary school PE teacher. I already have an associates in kinesiology.

Do any physical education teachers bring a change of clothes to work? I am asking because it can get hot and sweaty.

Hey everyone 🙂,

I have experience working in a special education school, and I'm currently trying to decide whether to pursue a Bachelor's degree in Special Education or Physical Education.

I'd love to hear from anyone who is familiar with these fields, has studied them, or works in them. Which path would you recommend, and why?

Thank you very much, and have a wonderful day! 🙏🏻