Unit Plan 33 (Grade 4 PE): Choice Day — Favorite Sports & Activities

Focus: Encourage self-directed engagement, help students explore and explain activity preferences, and support students in identifying which physical activities they may want to continue at school, at home, or in the community.

Grade Level: 4

Subject Area: Physical Education (Choice Activities • Preference & Reflection • Lifelong Movement)

Total Unit Duration: 1 core session + 2 optional sessions (1–3 weeks), 50–60 minutes per session

I. Introduction

Students explore physical activity choice as a way to better understand what kinds of movement they enjoy and want to continue. In this unit, students begin with a student-choice warm-up menu that includes options such as tag, dynamic stretches, and dance, so they can practice making active choices and following self-directed routines. They then move into choice stations such as mini-soccer, basketball shooting, jump rope, dance, Frisbee, and yoga, where they can participate, reflect, and notice which activities feel most enjoyable, satisfying, or motivating. Throughout the unit, students focus on staying active with minimal teacher prompting, making responsible choices, and connecting favorite activities to lifelong opportunities for movement beyond PE class.

Essential Questions

• How can choice help me stay more active and engaged in PE?
• What kinds of physical activities do I enjoy most, and why?
• Which activities do I think I could continue doing outside of school?
• Where can I find opportunities to be active at school, at home, or in my community?

II. Objectives and Standards

Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:

1. Participate actively in selected movement stations for most of class time.
2. Demonstrate responsibility and self-direction by choosing activities, following station routines, and managing transitions appropriately.
3. Identify favorite physical activities and explain why they are enjoyable or satisfying.
4. Identify physical activities that can continue now and into adulthood.
5. Recognize school, home, and community opportunities to be active.

Standards Alignment — 4th Grade (SHAPE America-based custom)

• PE:S3.4a – Active Participation in MVPA Participate actively in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for most of the class, minimizing off-task time.
  • Example: During fitness circuits, stations, or games, students remain engaged and moving rather than standing and watching others.
• PE:S4.4e – Responsibility, Effort, and Self-Direction Take responsibility for effort, behavior, and equipment (setting up, cleaning up, staying on task) and work productively without constant teacher direction.
  • Example: Students transition quickly between stations, take care of equipment, and persist with challenging tasks without giving up.
• PE:S5.4a – Enjoyment & Preference for Activity Types Express enjoyment of various physical activities and identify personal favorites, explaining why they are fun or satisfying.
  • Example: Students share that they enjoy basketball because they like teamwork and fast-paced play, or dance because of music and expression.
• PE:S5.4c – Identifying Lifelong Physical Activities Identify physical activities they can participate in now and into adulthood (e.g., walking, biking, swimming, hiking, recreational sports, dance).
  • Example: Students list biking, jogging, swimming, and family walks as things they can continue beyond school.
• PE:S5.4d – Seeking & Using Physical Activity Opportunities Recognize and seek out opportunities to be active at school (recess, clubs, walking programs) and at home or in the community (parks, teams, neighborhood play).
  • Example: Students mention joining a youth sports team, riding bikes in the neighborhood, or using a local park as ways to be active.

Success Criteria — Student Language

• I can stay active during the stations I choose.
• I can make good choices and follow station routines without many reminders.
• I can explain which activities I enjoy most and why.
• I can identify activities I could keep doing outside PE.
• I can name places or opportunities where I can be active beyond class.