As an elementary school physical education teacher, I consider the first week of school successful if my students feel safe, connected, and excited about the year to come.
This is the time of year when students are learning new routines, reinforcing old ones, and looking forward to the opportunities that await them both in and out of the gym. Younger students are thriving off the novelty of a new space to learn and grow in a different type of setting, while older students are setting goals and working to build from their foundation from previous years. In this article, I’ll be sharing some tips for starting the year in elementary PE, as well as some suggestions for educating parents and caregivers about the importance of health and physical education.
Starting the Year in Elementary PE
In my PE classes, the first week is not centered around playing the “best games” that have been researched and planned over the summer but rather establishing the foundation for the entire school year. For all students, my focus in the first week is on building relationships, teaching routines and expectations, and creating an environment where every student feels safe, included, and excited to participate.
Proper preparation leading up to the first week leads to success, and that means getting all plans in place, organizing equipment, and making the learning space bright and stimulating. It is important to me that students walk into my class and immediately feel welcomed, supported, and valued. I want them to be greeted every time with a genuine smile, a positive and loving tone, and an enthusiastic demeanor.
During the first few lessons, students spend time intentionally learning how to enter the gym safely and what the expectations are once they do enter. We then practice how to use the equipment appropriately, how to move responsibly and safely in space, and how to work cooperatively with others and engage in mutual respect.
We also establish routines for the end of class, such as returning equipment and lining up. I believe students should never be expected to do something they have not been explicitly taught, seen modeled, and had opportunities to practice. Following routines and engaging in appropriate, respectful behavior is a skill that must be taught and modeled like any other skill.
Connection and Classroom Culture
Building relationships during the first week is also a major priority. Learning students’ names quickly, knowing their backgrounds, celebrating their effort, and showing a genuine interest in who they are helps establish trust and connection early on. When students feel connected to their teacher, participation, confidence, and learning all improve.
A successful first week starts a positive classroom culture where students understand that physical education is for everyone. I emphasize that the gym is a learning space where we focus on what students can do, not on what they can’t. Students come to know that no one is perfect and everybody can do something, but nobody can do everything. We are all on a journey of learning, improving, and making mistakes — and that includes me, their teacher.
I want my students to know that effort is valued and mistakes are part of learning. Our gym is a place where they can grow physically, socially, and emotionally throughout the year. Our PE class is built on mutual respect, and the rules and routines are in place to help everyone learn and stay safe. I let them know we are starting our journey together — and their new experiences in physical education can bring us all closer together as a school community.
Educating Parents About PE
I want parents and caregivers to understand that physical education is far more than simply “playing games.” Quality physical education teaches physical literacy, content, social-emotional learning, teamwork, problem solving, self-control, cooperation, and healthy, lifelong habits. It is one of the only subjects that teaches through movement while supporting students cognitively, emotionally, socially, and physically all at once.
In my classes, students are taught a curriculum that is carefully planned, with an intentionally designed scope and sequence. I teach standards-based lessons and use assessment data to help improve my teaching and students’ learning.
It is important for families to understand that physical education is a core component of the educational process and that students are learning through doing while developing life skills that translate outside of the school day.
It is also important to understand that physical education plays a critical role in helping children build confidence, develop positive attitudes toward movement, and learn skills that impact their overall wellness for life.
For some students, PE is the highlight of their school day — and the place where they feel most successful. For many students, it may also be their only opportunity for physical activity.
I try to educate families by maintaining strong communication throughout the year. This includes newsletters, emails, open house presentations, parent teacher conferences, school events, and sharing curriculum goals and learning outcomes. All of this is done so families understand what students are learning and why it matters.
Understand the Stages of Child Development
Early in my teaching career, I did not realize the developmental nature of young children. I looked at my students as mini-adults rather than children with an entirely different set of developmental needs. Over time, I realized how to meet children at their developmental level, and that students learn best when they feel safe, respected, and genuinely cared for.
Now I know that strong relationships enhance learning. I make sure that I don’t focus so much on rules, routines, and curriculum that I overlook the importance of connection.
Students also learn best when they understand the “why” behind our teaching. For this reason, I use the phrase from the Teachers College Reading and Writing Project — “this is important because …” — so my students see the meaning and purpose in what they’re learning.
I also encourage teachers to embrace the word “yet.” Students may not have the confidence to master a skill or feel comfortable participating “yet” — but growth and confidence take time. The joy of teaching comes from the process and the pursuit, not just the attainment of our goals. Our job is to create learning environments where students feel safe enough to try, fail, and keep going.
Finally, remember the impact we can have beyond the gymnasium walls. We shape students’ attitudes toward movement, school, themselves, and others. We can be the reason a child feels connected and excited to come to school each day. That responsibility is powerful, and it is something worth embracing from day one.
Additional Resources
- SHAPE America Back to School Resources
- National Physical Education Standards Resources
- More Teacher of the Year Blog Posts
Nicholas D’Ambroso
Nicholas D’Ambroso teaches K-5 physical education at Prospect Hill School in Pelham Manor, NY. He is also an adjunct professor at Manhattanville University in Purchase, NY where he teaches Elementary Physical Education Content. In 2026, he was named SHAPE America National Elementary Physical Education Teacher of the Year.
