Welcome back, Health and PE champions! The first week of school is more than just icebreakers and locker assignments—it's a golden opportunity to set the tone for a year of movement, growth, and wellness. Whether you're a seasoned educator or new to the gym floor, here are five ways to make your first week impactful for you and your students.
1. Build Relationships Before Routines
Before diving into fitness tests or health units, focus on getting to know your students. Learn their names, interests, and comfort levels with physical activity. Use team-building games and low-pressure activities to create a safe, inclusive environment where every student feels seen and valued.
💡 Try this: “Snap, Clap, Pop” to build camaraderie while incorporating physical motions to get students moving!
2. Set Clear Expectations and Classroom Culture
Establish your rules, routines, and safety protocols early. Be clear, consistent, and positive. Let students know what success looks like in your class—not just in terms of performance, but in effort, attitude, and respect.
🗣️ Pro tips: Involve students in creating a “Health Hope” or “PE Promise” to foster ownership and accountability. Check out this blog post Cultivating Respect: Strategies for Garnering Recognition and Support for Phys Ed to build respect across the school community.
3. Introduce the Why Behind Health and PE
Help students understand that Health and PE isn’t just about hygiene, nutrition, and sports—it's about lifelong wellness. Share your passion for movement, mental health, and healthy choices. Connect your curriculum to real-life benefits like stress relief, teamwork, and confidence.
🎥 Engage them: Show a short video or infographic on the benefits of physical activity and healthy habits. Share infographics from the G-W Tools for Educators page—use the keyword Health.
4. Assess Without Stress
Use the first week to gather baseline data in a low-stakes way. Simple fitness checks, self-assessments, or goal-setting activities can help you tailor your instruction while giving students a sense of progress from day one.
📊 Keep it light: Frame assessments as “starting lines,” not tests.
5. Bring the Energy and Joy
Your enthusiasm is contagious! Start the year with fun, high-energy activities that get students moving and smiling. Music, movement games, and positive reinforcement go a long way in building excitement for your class.
🎶 Try this: A “PE Playlist” where students suggest songs for warm-ups or cool-downs.
Final Thought:
The first week is your chance to inspire, connect, and lead by example. You’re not just teaching skills—you’re shaping healthy habits and mindsets that can last a lifetime. Here’s to a strong, joyful start to the school year!
For more resources like these to support you and your students, check out G-W's Health and PE resources.
• Our Health Skills programs provide the skills and information students need—from sleep and nutrition to online communication, empathy, resilience, and beyond. Free digital previews are available.
• Interested in a comprehensive PE curriculum that incorporates informational content, fun activities, and strategies for engagement into your PE class? Request a free preview of Fitness and Wellness Skills.
Photo Credits:
Thumbnail: monkeybusinessimages/iStock.com
Image 1: Drazen Zigic/iStock.com
