Physical and Health Education
Physical and Health Education at ISS fosters the development of physical skills, teamwork, and a lifelong appreciation for active living.
Through diverse activities and sports, students enhance their fitness, coordination, and social skills, while understanding the importance of health and well-being in personal and global contexts.
Early Years Programme
Physical and Health Education in the Early Years
Physical and Health Education in the Early Years at ISS focuses on nurturing gross motor skills, coordination, and a love for movement through playful and engaging activities.
Children participate in games and exercises that promote balance, spatial awareness, and teamwork, laying the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle.
Through exploration and fun, they build confidence in their abilities and develop a positive relationship with physical activity.
Grade 3
Content:
- Design Cycle/Design Process
- Problem / issue identification
- Design proposal
- Idea/solution generation
- Testing methods
- Success evaluation
- Improvement explanation
Skills
- Creating/editing of 2D graphics
- Presenting / communicating
- Producing and editing film
- Developing brand / identity
- Using structure as function
Early Years 3
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Body control and spatial awareness
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to music
Games
- Lead-up games
Adventure Challenge
- Activities that promote problem-solving and teamwork
Health-Related Activities
- Exercises and routines focused on improving overall health and fitness
Skills
Body Control and Spatial Awareness
- Developing spatial awareness
- Developing gross motor skills
- Developing body awareness
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Exploring locomotor and non-locomotor skills: traveling, changing direction, pathways, using music, expressing feelings and moods
- Exploring gymnastics and safety skills in floor and apparatus gymnastics: balancing, rolling, jumping, and swinging
Lead-Up Games
- Developing manipulative skills by exploring different kinds of small equipment and using different body parts
- Applying simple rules
- Enhancing gross motor skills
Adventure Challenge
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Exploring and solving tasks individually, in pairs, or in small groups
Early Years 4
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Body Control & Spatial Awareness
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Lead-Up Games
Adventure Challenge
- Activities promoting problem-solving, teamwork, and interpersonal skills
Health-Related Activities
- Exercises focused on overall health and fitness
Skills
Body Control and Spatial Awareness
- Developing spatial awareness
- Developing gross motor skills
- Developing body control and body awareness
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Exploring locomotor and non-locomotor skills: travelling, changing direction, and pathways
- Using music to express feelings and moods
- Practicing gymnastics and safety skills in floor and apparatus gymnastics, including balancing, rolling, jumping, and swinging
Lead-Up Games
- Developing manipulative skills by exploring different kinds of small equipment and body parts
- Applying simple rules
- Enhancing gross motor skills
Adventure Challenge
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Solving tasks individually, in pairs, or in small groups
Early Years 5
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Body Control & Spatial Awareness
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Lead-Up Games
Adventure Challenge
- Problem-solving and teamwork through physical tasks
Health-Related Activities
- Activities focused on improving health, fitness, and well-being
Skills
Body Control and Spatial Awareness
- Developing spatial awareness
- Developing gross motor skills
- Developing body control and body awareness
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Exploring locomotor and non-locomotor skills: traveling, changing direction, and creating pathways
- Using music to express feelings and moods
- Practicing gymnastics and safety skills in floor and apparatus gymnastics: balancing, rolling, jumping, and swinging
Lead-Up Games
- Developing manipulative skills with various small equipment and body parts
- Applying simple rules
- Enhancing gross motor skills
Adventure Challenge
- Building interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Solving tasks individually, in pairs, or in small groups
Primary Years Programme (PYP)
Promoting individual’s well-being
The International School of Stuttgart (ISS) Physical and Health Education programme is closely connected with the transdisciplinary themes of Primary Years Programe (PYP). PE is concerned with the individual’s well-being through the promotion and development of concepts, knowledge, attitudes and skills that contribute to this well-being.
Well-being is intrinsically linked to all aspects of a student’s experience at school and beyond. It encompasses physical, emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social health and development, and contributes to an understanding of self, to developing and maintaining relationships with others, and to participation in an active, healthy lifestyle.
Grade 3
Content:
- Design Cycle/Design Process
- Problem / issue identification
- Design proposal
- Idea/solution generation
- Testing methods
- Success evaluation
- Improvement explanation
Skills
- Creating/editing of 2D graphics
- Presenting / communicating
- Producing and editing film
- Developing brand / identity
- Using structure as function
Grade 1
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Body Control & Spatial Awareness
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Lead-Up Games
Adventure Challenge
- Developing problem-solving and teamwork skills
Health-Related Activities
- Focusing on exercises that enhance overall health and fitness
Skills
Body Control and Spatial Awareness
- Developing an awareness of space, direction, and level in relation to others
- Practicing locomotor skills with controlled changes in speed and direction
- Applying body awareness in movement
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Combining locomotor and non-locomotor skills using patterns and rhythm
- Enhancing spatial awareness through levels, direction, and pathways
- Developing gymnastics and safety skills in floor and apparatus gymnastics: individual balances, rolling, jumping, and swinging
Lead-Up Games
- Practicing manipulative skills with various small equipment and body parts
- Applying simple rules and techniques
- Building coordination skills
- Gaining a basic strategic understanding in small group settings
Adventure Challenge
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and small groups, with or without apparatus
Grade 2
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Body Control & Spatial Awareness
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Lead-Up Games
Adventure Challenge
- Problem-solving and teamwork in physical tasks
Health-Related Activities
- Activities promoting overall health, fitness, and well-being
Skills
Body Control and Spatial Awareness
- Interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and small groups, with or without apparatus
Swimming
- Practicing different strokes: backstroke and breaststroke
- Working on water comfort, floating and gliding, breath control, and water safety
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Combining locomotor and non-locomotor skills using patterns and rhythm
- Enhancing spatial awareness: levels, direction, and pathways
- Developing gymnastics and safety skills in floor and apparatus gymnastics: individual balances, rolling, jumping, and swinging
Adventure Challenge
- Interpersonal skills: communicating, cooperating, caring, and sharing
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and small groups, with or without apparatus
Lead-Up Games
- Enhancing spatial awareness
- Applying manipulative skills with different small equipment: racquets, balls, Frisbees, etc.
- Developing sport-specific skills and technical proficiency
- Understanding and applying basic offensive and defensive tactics and strategies in small groups
Grade 3
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Fitness/Athletics
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Badminton
- Basketball
Adventure Challenge
- Problem-solving and teamwork through physical challenges
Health-Related Activities
- Exercises and routines focused on improving overall health and fitness
Skills
Fitness and Athletics Skills
- Identifying realistic goals and strategies to improve personal fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Applying basic rules of athletics events, including throwing and running
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Planning and performing a gymnastics sequence with traveling, rolling, jumping, balancing, and weight transfer, incorporating changes in direction, shape, speed, and flow
- Applying movement concepts such as space, time, level, force, and flow
Adventure Challenge
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and small groups, with or without apparatus
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, collaborating, strategizing, and resolving conflict
Badminton / Basketball / Pre-sportive Games
- Enhancing spatial awareness
- Developing sport-specific skills with technical proficiency
- Building strategic understanding by applying basic offensive and defensive tactics and strategies in small groups
- Applying principles of accuracy, force, and follow-through when projecting objects
Grade 4
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Athletics
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Hockey
- Soccer
Adventure Challenge
- Problem-solving and teamwork through physical challenges
Health-Related Activities
- Fitness
Skills
Fitness and Athletics Skills
- Identifying realistic goals and strategies to improve personal fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Applying rules and techniques for events such as long jump and running
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Planning and performing a gymnastics sequence with travel, rolls, jumps, balances, and weight transfer, incorporating changes in direction, shape, speed, and flow
- Applying movement concepts such as space, time, level, force, and flow
Adventure Challenge
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and in small or large groups, with or without apparatus
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, collaborating, strategizing, and resolving conflict
Hockey / Soccer / Pre-sportive Games
- Enhancing spatial awareness
- Developing sport-specific skills with technical proficiency
- Building strategic understanding by applying basic offensive and defensive tactics and strategies in small groups
- Applying principles of accuracy, force, and follow-through when projecting objects
Grade 5
Content
Individual Pursuits
- Athletics
Movement Composition
- Gymnastics
- Movement to Music
Games
- Handball
- Volleyball
Adventure Challenge
- Problem-solving and teamwork through physical challenges
Health-Related Activities
- Fitness
Skills
Fitness and Athletics Skills
- Identifying realistic goals and strategies to improve personal fitness and maintain a healthy lifestyle
- Applying rules and techniques for high jump, including scissor jump, straddle, and Fosbury flop
Gymnastics and Movement to Music
- Planning and performing a gymnastics sequence involving traveling, rolling, jumping, balancing, and weight transfer with changes in direction, shape, speed, and flow
- Applying movement concepts such as space, time, level, force, and flow
Adventure Challenge
- Solving challenging problems in pairs and in small or large groups, with or without apparatus
- Developing interpersonal skills: communicating, collaborating, strategizing, and resolving conflict
Handball / Volleyball / Pre-sportive Games
- Enhancing spatial awareness
- Developing sport-specific skills with technical proficiency
- Building strategic understanding by applying basic offensive and defensive tactics and strategies in small groups
- Applying principles of accuracy, force, and follow-through when projecting objects
Middle Years Programme (MYP)
Active, Healthy, Empowered
The Middle Years Programme Physical and Health Education at ISS aims to empower students to appreciate the value of being physically active and develop the motivation to make healthy life choices. This course fosters the knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed for a balanced and healthy lifestyle through active learning that promotes holistic well-being. Students explore a variety of concepts related to physical development and health perspectives, enabling them to make informed decisions and encouraging positive social interaction.
Designed with a focus on student choice, Physical Education in Grades 9 and 10 allows students to engage in activities that align with their interests, fostering a love for physical activity and enhancing overall well-being. By personalizing the experience, the course helps students develop a diverse set of physical skills, discover activities they enjoy, and build the confidence to maintain an active and healthy lifestyle. Through this approach, students are equipped to take ownership of their fitness journey and sustain lifelong health.
Grade 6
Content:
- Design Cycle/Design Process
- Problem / issue identification
- Design proposal
- Idea/solution generation
- Testing methods
- Success evaluation
- Improvement explanation
Skills
- Creating/editing of 2D graphics
- Presenting / communicating
- Producing and editing film
- Developing brand / identity
- Using structure as function
Grade 6
Content
Fitness
Games/Sports
- Basketball
- Badminton
Gymnastics
- Aesthetics
Dance
- Aesthetics
Approaches to Learning
- Social: Collaboration skills
- Self-management: Organization skills
- Thinking: Transfer skills
Skills
Fitness
- Agility
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Aerobic endurance
- Strength endurance
- Absolute strength
- Perseverance and resilience
- European standardized test comparison
- Self-testing and self-condition assessment
- Peer condition assessment
- Individual training session planning skills
Games/Sports
- Game basic rules
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skills
- Hitting
- Service
- Rally
- Smash
Gymnastics
- Describe the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Fundamental body positions (e.g., pike, tuck, straddle)
- Front roll
- Back roll
- Side roll
- Cartwheel
- Handstand
- Headstand
- Rounder
- Individual balances
Dance
- Movement composition skills
- Synchronization
- Aesthetic notions
- Use of space, time, level, force, and flow
- Identify and follow rhythm in various musical genres
- Construct and outline a plan for improving health or physical activity
- Describe the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Recall and apply a range of skills and techniques
- Recall and apply a range of strategies and movement concepts
- Recall and apply information to perform effectively
- Perform live
- Reflect on dance experience
Track & Field (Athletics)
- Dynamic stretching
- Long jump skills and all its phases
- Shot put skills and all its phases
- Mini event organization
- Monitoring of individual progress
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
- Give and receive meaningful feedback
- Set SMART goals that are appropriate
- Develop a plan to achieve goals
- Resolve conflicts through teacher-led mediation
- Work collaboratively in teams
- Make fair and equitable decisions
- Build consensus with teacher scaffolding of questions and charts
- Negotiate ideas
- Help others to succeed
- Demonstrate perseverance
- Build resiliency
Grade 7
Content
Fitness
Games/Sports
Gymnastics & Dance
- Aesthetics
Athletics
- Track and Field
Approaches to Learning (AtL)
- Social: Collaboration skills
- Self-management: Organization skills
- Thinking: Transfer skills
Skills
Fitness
- Agility
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Aerobic endurance
- Strength endurance
- Absolute strength
- Perseverance and resilience
- European standardized test comparison
- Self-testing and self-condition assessment
- Peer condition assessment
- Individual training session planning skills
Gymnastics
- Describe the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Range of skills, techniques, strategies, and movement concepts
- Fundamental body positions (e.g., pike, tuck, straddle)
- Maintaining proper body shapes
- Front roll
- Back roll
- Side roll
- Cartwheel
- Handstand
- Headstand
- Rounder
- Individual balances
- Pair balances
- Providing and receiving constructive feedback on routines
Dance
- Movement composition skills
- Synchronization
- Aesthetic notions
- Use of space, time, level, force, and flow
- Identifying and following rhythm in various musical genres
- Constructing and outlining a plan for improving health or physical activity
- Describing the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Range of skills, techniques, strategies, and movement concepts
- Performing live
- Reflecting on dance experience
Team Sports: Football and Handball
- Basic rules of football and handball
- Ball control
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skills
- Positioning
- Tactical awareness
- Defending and attacking
- Communication and cooperation
Track and Field (Athletics)
- Dynamic stretching
- Triple jump skills and all its phases
- Shot put and discus throw skills and all its phases
- Mini event organization
- Monitoring individual progress
Approaches to Learning (ATL) Skills
- Giving and receiving meaningful feedback
- Setting SMART goals that are appropriate
- Developing a plan to achieve a goal
- Resolving conflicts through teacher-led mediation
- Working collaboratively in teams
- Making fair and equitable decisions
- Building consensus with teacher scaffolding of questions and charts
- Negotiating ideas
- Helping others to succeed
- Demonstrating perseverance
- Building resiliency
Grade 8
Content
Fitness
Games/Sports
Gymnastics & Dance
- Aesthetics
Athletics
- Track and Field
Approaches to Learning
Skills
Fitness
- Agility
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Aerobic endurance
- Strength endurance
- Absolute strength
- Perseverance and resilience
- European standardized test comparison
- Self-testing and self-condition assessment
- Peer condition assessment
- Individual training session planning skills
- Demonstrating fitness exercises and running a workout session autonomously
Games/Sports
- Game basic rules
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skills
- Hitting
- Rally
- Smash
Gymnastics
- Describe the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Range of skills, techniques, strategies, and movement concepts
- Fundamental body positions (e.g., pike, tuck, straddle)
- Maintaining proper body shapes
- Front roll
- Back roll
- Side roll
- Cartwheel
- Handstand
- Headstand
- Rounder
- Individual balances
- Pair balances
- Group balances
Dance
- Movement composition skills
- Synchronization
- Aesthetic notions
- Use of space, time, level, force, and flow
- Identifying and following rhythm in various musical genres
- Constructing and outlining a plan for improving health or physical activity
- Describing the effectiveness of a plan based on the outcome
- Range of skills, techniques, strategies, and movement concepts
- Recalling and applying information to perform effectively
- Performing live
- Reflecting on dance experience
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
- Give and receive meaningful feedback
- Set SMART goals that are appropriate
- Develop a plan to achieve a goal
- Resolve conflicts through teacher-led mediation
- Work collaboratively in teams
- Make fair and equitable decisions
- Build consensus with teacher scaffolding of questions and charts
- Negotiate ideas
- Help others to succeed
- Demonstrate perseverance
- Build resiliency
Team Sports
- Game (Volleyball and Hockey) basic rules
- Ball control
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skills
- Setting
- Spiking
- Serving
- Positioning
- Tactical awareness
- Defending and attacking
- Communication and cooperation
Track & Field (Athletics)
- Dynamic stretching
- High jump skills and all its phases
- Discus and javelin throw skills and all their phases
- Mini event organization
- Monitoring of individual progress
Grade 9
Content
Activities Overview
Activities offered are divided into three overarching areas: Fitness, Team Sports, and Individual Sports/Aesthetic Activities. Each area includes a variety of sports and activities.
Fitness
- Cardiovascular endurance training
- Strength training
- Flexibility training
- Calisthenics
- CrossFit
- HIIT
Team/Individual Sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Handball
- Hockey
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Omnikin
- Badminton
- Track and Field
Aesthetic Activities
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Yoga
- Martial Arts
Student Planning
Students plan their year based on their individual preferences and the options provided by the school. However, throughout the school year, each student must choose at least one activity from each area to diversify their experiences, develop a broad set of skills, and ensure balanced group participation.
Skills
Personal Fitness and Workout
- Agility
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Aerobic endurance
- Strength endurance
- Absolute strength
- Individual training session planning skills
Sports
- Games basic rules
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skills notions
- Attacking techniques and tactics
- Defensive techniques and tactics
- Different competitive organization: 1×1, 3×3, 5×5, and 7×7
Dance and Movement
- Individual balance
- Pair balances
- Group balances
- Theme dance
- Movement composition skills
- Synchronization
- Aesthetic notions
- Use of space, time, level, force, and flow
Approaches to Learning (ATL)
- Give and receive meaningful feedback
- Set SMART goals that are appropriate
- Develop a plan to achieve goals
- Work collaboratively in teams
- Make fair and equitable decisions
- Negotiate ideas
- Help others to succeed
- Demonstrate perseverance
- Build resiliency
Grade 10
Content
Activities Overview
Activities are divided into three overarching areas: Fitness, Team Sports, and Individual Sports/Aesthetic Activities. Each area offers a variety of sports and activities.
Fitness
- Cardiovascular Endurance
- Strength
- Flexibility
- Calisthenics
- CrossFit
- HIIT
Team/Individual Sports
- Football
- Basketball
- Volleyball
- Handball
- Hockey
- Ultimate Frisbee
- Omnikin
- Badminton
- Track and Field
Aesthetic Activities
- Dance
- Gymnastics
- Yoga
- Martial Arts
Student Planning
Students plan their year based on their individual preferences and the options provided by the school. However, throughout the school year, each student must select at least one activity from each area to diversify their experiences, develop a broad skill set, and balance group participation.
Skills
Personal Fitness and Workouts
- Agility
- Coordination
- Flexibility
- Aerobic endurance
- Strength endurance
- Absolute strength
- Individual training session planning skills
Sports
- Games basic rules
- Passing and receiving
- Dribbling skills
- Shooting skill notions
- Attacking techniques and tactics
- Defensive techniques and tactics
- Different competitive organizations: 1×1, 3×3, 5×5, and 7×7
Dance and Movement
- Individual balances
- Pair balances
- Group balances
- Theme dance
- Movement composition skills
- Synchronization
- Aesthetic notions
- Use of space, time, level, force, and flow
Approaches to Learning
- Give and receive meaningful feedback
- Set SMART goals that are appropriate
- Develop a plan to achieve goals
- Work collaboratively in teams
- Make fair and equitable decisions
- Negotiate ideas
- Help others to succeed
- Demonstrate perseverance
- Build resiliency
Downloadable Curriculum
Access detailed curriculum overviews and guidelines in PDF format.
Glossary of Terms
Familiarize yourself with key abbreviations and terminology used throughout our curriculum.
Learning & Assessment
Discover our curriculum’s learning objectives, assessment strategies, and resources.