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Why We Move: Physical Activity

Fourth graders learn why moving their bodies matters — physical activity like running, playing, dancing, and sports keeps the heart strong, builds energy, and feels great — and discover fun ways to be active every day.

Grade 4Physical Activity40 minutes1 class periodSHAPE / Skills-BasedExplicit teaching4 StandardsSHAPE
Start the Lesson
Lesson at a Glance

Everything you need before the bell rings

Learning Objectives

Students will be able to…

  • ✓Explain physical activity.
  • ✓Explain why moving helps.
  • ✓Name fun activities.
  • ✓Enjoy being active.
Essential Question

Running, jumping, dancing, playing — moving your body is one of the best things you can do, and it’s FUN! Why is being active so good for you?

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Lesson Phases
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Vocabulary Terms
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Standards Aligned
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Interactive Task
Explore · Interactive

Physical Activity Check

Project each item and have children answer about physical activity. The tool explains why moving your body is fun and healthy.

🏃 Understand why we moveTry it
Answer each question about physical activity.
The Lesson · Health & PE Flow (Warm-Up · Learn · Practice · Apply · Cool-Down)

40 minutes, five moves

Tap any phase to open the teacher moves and student actions.

1

Warm-Up — Let’s Move!

5 min

Moving your body is fun AND good for you — why is being active so great?

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Do a quick movement.
  • Ask how it felt.
  • Set the goal.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Move a little.
  • Notice it.
  • Get ready.
2

Learn — Why We Move

10 min

Children learn.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Send children to Physical Activity Check.
  • Explain the benefits.
  • Name fun activities.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Answer them.
  • Note benefits.
  • Name activities.
3

Practice — Practice

12 min

Children practice.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Play an active game.
  • Try different movements.
  • Notice how you feel.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Play it.
  • Move.
  • Feel it.
4

Apply — Apply

8 min

Children apply.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Pick a favorite active game.
  • Explain why it’s good.
  • Plan to move today.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Pick one.
  • Explain it.
  • Plan it.
5

Cool-Down — Cool-Down

5 min

Children close.

👩‍🏫 Teacher Moves

  • Explain physical activity.
  • Name a fun way to move.
  • Complete the exit ticket.

🎒 Student Actions

  • Explain it.
  • Name one.
  • Complete the exit ticket.
Standards Alignment

Built to the standards you report on

Aligned to SHAPE America National Health Education & Physical Education Standards.

SHAPE
PE.3

Achieve and maintain health-enhancing physical activity.

SHAPE
PE.5

Recognize the value of physical activity for enjoyment and health.

SHAPE
HE.1

Comprehend concepts about physical activity.

SHAPE
HE.7

Practice active, healthy behaviors.

Differentiation

One lesson, every learner

Multilingual Learners

ELL / EMERGING READERS
  • Activity picture cards.
  • Sentence frame: “I like to move by ___.”
  • Demonstrate movements.

Support & Access

IEP / 504
  • Start with one fun movement.
  • Use pictures.
  • Move together.

Stretch & Extend

GIFTED / EARLY FINISHERS
  • Make an active-games list.
  • Explain how activity helps the heart.
  • Lead a movement.
Materials

What to gather

  • 📽️Screen / board
  • ⚽Balls / play equipment
  • 💻Physical Activity Check
  • 🎵Music (for dancing)
  • 🖍️Crayons
  • 🎫Exit-ticket slips
Vocabulary

Key terms — hover for a quick definition

physical activitymoving your bodyactivemoving and busyexerciseactivity that makes you strongerheartthe muscle that pumps bloodenergythe power to move and playmusclesbody parts that help you movehealthyfeeling good and strongplayto have active fun
Evaluate

Exit Ticket

Preview the three formative checks. Tap “Sample answer” to see what mastery looks like — hide them before you print for students.

QUESTION 1
What does it mean to be physically active?
To move your body — like running, dancing, swimming, or playing sports.
QUESTION 2
Name one good thing that being active does for you.
Keeps your heart strong, gives you energy, or helps you feel good.
QUESTION 3
Name a fun way to be active.
Sample: playing tag, riding a bike, dancing, or playing a sport.

Cool-Down: move for fun.

Have children pick one fun way to move their body today — and remember that being active should feel good and fun. A printable physical-activity sheet is in the PE & Health library.

Study · Flashcards

Study the key terms

Tap a card to flip it, then rate whether you knew it. Built from this lesson’s vocabulary.

🃏 Why We Move: Physical ActivityFlip
Card 1
Term
Tap to flip →
Meaning
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Nice work!

Practice · Quiz

Check your understanding

A quick self-check with instant feedback, drawn from this lesson’s key terms.

📝 Why We Move: Physical ActivityQuiz
Score: 0
1 / 6
Question 1
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Nice work!

Practice · Worksheet

Printable worksheet

A print-and-go review sheet with a built-in answer key. Tap “Show answer key” to reveal answers, or print the clean version for students.

🖨️ Why We Move: Physical ActivityPrint
Name: ________________________
Date: ____________

Part A · Write the word that matches each meaning

Word bank: active, energy, exercise, healthy, heart, muscles, physical activity, play
  1. body parts that help you move
  2. activity that makes you stronger
  3. moving your body
  4. moving and busy
  5. the power to move and play
  6. to have active fun
  7. the muscle that pumps blood
  8. feeling good and strong

Part B · Show what you learned

  1. What does it mean to be physically active?
  2. Name one good thing that being active does for you.
  3. Name a fun way to be active.
Answer key — Part A: 1) muscles · 2) exercise · 3) physical activity · 4) active · 5) energy · 6) play · 7) heart · 8) healthy
Part B: 1) To move your body — like running, dancing, swimming, or playing sports. 2) Keeps your heart strong, gives you energy, or helps you feel good. 3) Sample: playing tag, riding a bike, dancing, or playing a sport.