Queen Creek Unified elementary schools make PE fun

At Queen Creek Unified School District schools, physical education is an important part of the school day that combines movement, skill building and confidence development.

The program is designed to engage every student, encourage healthy habits and make fitness something kids look forward to long after they leave the gym.

All district students from kindergarten through sixth grade attend physical education classes twice a week for 30 minutes, engaging in lessons built around national and Arizona physical education standards.

Faith Mather Sossaman Elementary PE teachers Lara Cox and Kelly Sprung design lessons with a balance of warmups, fitness activities, skill practice and games.

“We try to incorporate some kind of skill-based fitness each period,” Sprung stated in a Queen Creek Unified School District press release. “We’ll practice a skill, then play a game that uses it, all while working on sportsmanship and proper movement.”

The program thrives on creativity. Instead of repetitive drills, activities are woven into games such as “catapult” where students do situps while tossing a ball to knock down targets. They also partner in exercises where kindergartners give each other a high five at the top of a situp.

“They’re building strength,” Sprung stated in the release, “but they’re not really thinking about it, they’re just having fun.”

Cox and Sprung emphasize personal growth over competition. Students set goals and track their progress, celebrating even small gains.

“If I can get one more lap or one more push up than last time, that’s a win,” Cox stated in the release.

Progress is kept private, encouraging students to focus on self-improvement.

The social aspect of PE is also intentional. Whether it is a jump-rope challenge with “belt” levels or group games that promote teamwork, students learn to support one another while developing physical skills.

“One of the joys of teaching is watching them grow,” Cox stated. “It’s the excitement they bring when they’ve practiced over the weekend and can’t wait to show you.”

Lessons are built around the “Meaningful PE” framework that includes fun, social interaction, the right level of challenge and skill building.

“If they enjoy it, they’re going to want to keep doing it,” Cox stated.

The PE team also partners with families to encourage healthy choices at home, recognizing that fitness habits are shaped in and outside the gym.