When I think about what a successful first week of school looks like in my high school gym, two words immediately come to mind: creative chaos!
For me, the first week of school is first and foremost about building intentional relationships. If you establish that human connection early on, students will trust you when it comes time to dive into content. I want my gym to feel like a community from the moment they step across the threshold.
Here is how I structure a successful first week to make sure students leave my physical education class with a smile and a sense of belonging.
- Day 1: Instant Activity & Casual Connection. Instead of sitting down on the floor to read through a dry syllabus or go over a long list of rules, I build upon the energy and excitement of the new school year by getting students moving immediately. I set up several easy, low-stakes yard games all around the space, such as bocce ball, corn hole, and Spike Ball. These games are perfect because they require very little explanation, which keeps my talking to a minimum and their active time at a maximum. As students play, I make it my mission to rotate to every single group to chat, laugh, high five, and connect. This immediately breaks the ice and sets an energetic, welcoming tone for the rest of the term.
- Day 2: Sharing My Story. On the second day, I intentionally slow things down for a few minutes to let my students get to know me as a person, not just a teacher. I share a couple of slides about my family, my background, and a collage titled “My Favorite Things.” This collage includes pictures of my hobbies, favorite foods, sports teams, and outdoor activities. This gives students a glimpse into who I am outside of the school building, and it serves as an incredible springboard for casual conversations throughout the rest of the trimester. Students will frequently come up to me weeks later to talk about something they saw on those slides.
- The Attendance Routine: Prioritizing names. Knowing a student’s name — and saying it correctly — is absolutely everything when it comes to building mutual respect. Our school requests that attendance be taken within the beginning of class, so I intentionally turn that administrative window into a dedicated connection tool. Instead of just calling out a list, I greet every single student by name, look them in the eye, and mix in bits of casual conversation. It lets them know that their presence matters the moment they walk through the door.
- The Friday Finale: Near the end of the week, I use the last 5-10 minutes of class to play a game called “Stump the Teacher.” I line the students up and try to name everyone in the class from memory. The kids absolutely love trying to stump me, and it brings a sense of fun to the gym. We laugh together, we work together, and if I get stuck, they help me master their names. It shows the students that I am actively invested in knowing exactly who they are, and I want them to go home saying, “Class was so much fun today!”
What I Wish More Families Understood About Health & PE
The gym is the biggest classroom in the building — both literally and figuratively. What we teach in our “classroom” not only benefits students physically, mentally, and socially, but it also primes them to be successful in the rest of their academic classes.
There is an immense body of research linking physical movement to brain function, and I wish more families understood that time spent moving in the gym directly supports a child’s focus, memory, and performance in math, science, and reading.
Furthermore, health and physical education are essential academic subjects that build lifelong healthy habits. Our goal is to expose students to a wide variety of movement concepts, functional fitness, and wellness strategies so that every single child — regardless of their athletic background — can find something they enjoy.
You just can’t get that same learning experience sitting behind a desk. We are teaching skills that protect students’ physical and mental health for the rest of their life.
How to Educate Families and Caregivers About the Role of PE in School
Advocacy is an ongoing conversation. I use every touchpoint I have with families — whether it’s digital communication home, open houses, or parent-teacher conferences — to shift the narrative around what modern physical education is.
My message remains consistent: Physical education isn’t a break from learning, it facilitates learning. During these touchpoints, I work hard to promote the idea that our goal in the gym isn’t about winning games or identifying elite athletes. It’s about building the confidence and competence that our students need to move throughout their entire lives.
Be Present and Authentic
Theodore Roosevelt once said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.” This is a profound lesson that took me years of teaching to truly master.
Early in my career, I thought perfection was the goal, but I quickly realized that the perfect, beautifully written lesson plan matters far less than showing up every single day with a genuine smile and a joyful attitude.
Our students don’t need us to be flawless; they need us to be present and authentic. When a lesson fails in the gym — and trust me, it absolutely will — just laugh it off with your students, pivot, and keep going.
Interestingly, showing vulnerability actually makes you less vulnerable as an educator. It builds a culture of grace and resilience where students feel safe to fail and try again.
As we start a new school year, I also want to remind teachers to protect their energy. You cannot pour from an empty cup. Here are some tips:
- Tap into your resources — don’t try to reinvent the wheel or do it all alone;
- Build your support system and relationships within your building;
- Take care of your personal wellness;
- Always anchor yourself back to your “Why.” Remembering the reason you chose this profession will guide you through even the most challenging days.
Additional Resources
- SHAPE America Back to School Resources
- National Physical Education Standards Resources
- More Teacher of the Year Blog Posts
Carla Christiansen
Carla Christiansen teaches health and physical education and coaches at Apple Valley High School in Minnesota. With over 34 years of K-12 experience — including 27 at Apple Valley — she creates practical, engaging learning experiences focused on lifelong physical literacy. She is the 2026 SHAPE America National High School Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
