Upper Elementary Health Syllabus Document
Grades 3 – 5 Health & Fitness Class Teacher: Ms. Byndon
BUILDING OUR ATHLETIC CULTURE
Upper Elementary Course Syllabus & Gym Guidelines • School Year 2026–2027
Our Motto PLAY • LEARN • GROW
Program Mission & Purpose
The Health & Fitness classroom is where students learn how to move, compete, work together, make healthy choices, and develop into confident athletes and teammates. In Grades 3–5, our focus shifts toward independence, healthy competition, leadership, and personal accountability.
Our Shared Goal: Good Athlete • Great Teammate • Strong Leader • Healthy Person
Gym Readiness
- Athletic Sneakers: Laced & tied gym shoes
- Water Bottle: Labeled hydration container
- Active Attire: Unrestricted movement clothing
Gym Safety: No jewelry • Hair tied back
The 7 Team Rules
Gym Standards for Upper Elementary
1
RESPECT
Respect Ms. Byndon, classmates, opponents, equipment, and our gym playing space.
2
LISTEN
Stop, look, and listen immediately when Ms. Byndon speaks or blows the whistle.
3
PLAY SAFE
Keep hands, feet, body, and all sports equipment under control at all times.
4
TRY YOUR BEST
Consistent effort and personal growth matter far more than just winning.
5
BE A TEAMMATE
Encourage peers, communicate clearly, and help your classmates succeed.
6
POSITIVE LANGUAGE
Speak to teammates and opponents the way you want to be spoken to.
7
TAKE CARE OF OUR SPACE
Use equipment correctly and leave the gym in better condition than you found it.
Gym Ownership
"Ready to Play" Routine
- Walk into the gym calmly and enter quietly.
- Go directly to your assigned squad spot or circle.
- Sit or stand in your designated area with hands/feet to self.
- Wait for directions and listen for the day's objective.
Teacher Cue: "Athletes, get ready!" Response: "Ready to learn!"
Leaving the Gym Routine
- Stop moving immediately when the signal or whistle is given.
- Return all balls, nets, and gear to correct gym storage racks.
- Check personal space and wait for squad dismissal.
- Walk out calmly using appropriate hallway voices.
Safety Protocol: No student leaves the gym playing area without permission.
Health & Fitness Class • Teacher: Ms. Byndon • Grades 3–5 Gym Curriculum Page 1 of 2 • Turn Over for Leadership, Expectations & Units
Upper Elementary Athletic Progression
GRADES 3–5 EXPECTATIONS & SPORTSMANSHIP
Independence • Competition • Leadership
Grade-by-Grade Expectations
3rd Grade Independence
Routines & Teammate Trust
- Follow gym routines independently
- Demonstrate strong sportsmanship
- Explain basic sports rules & setups
- Work effectively with all teammates
- Handle winning & losing maturely
- Communicate respectfully in games
Focus: Routine autonomy & fair play
4th Grade Strategy & Poise
Peer Mentoring & Self-Control
- Demonstrate active peer leadership
- Encourage less-skilled teammates
- Resolve minor disagreements calmly
- Demonstrate self-control in play
- Understand game strategy & spacing
- Accept coaching and feedback openly
Focus: Self-regulation & tactical play
5th Grade Community Leaders
Exemplary Character & Ownership
- Model sportsmanship for school
- Lead gym warm-ups & cool-downs
- Help & encourage younger students
- Compete with intensity & humility
- Accept losses with genuine maturity
- Take ownership of personal fitness
Focus: Schoolwide athletic leadership
Month 1 Framework: Building Our Team Culture
Foundational Athletic Curriculum
Week 1
Welcome & Culture
Athlete identity, gym safety, signals, equipment expectations.
"We are a team. All belong."
Week 2
Sportsmanship
Teammate talk, mistake recovery, respectful winning and losing.
"How we play matters."
Week 3
Sports & Competition
Concepts in soccer, basketball, track, football, volleyball & hockey.
"Compete hard & fairly."
Week 4
The Whole Athlete
Nutrition, hydration, sleep, warm-ups, goal setting & grit.
"Strive to get better."
Athlete Language
Constructive Speech
Replace Negative Language:
- • "That's easy."
- • "You're bad at this."
- • "Why did you miss?"
- • "That's not fair!"
Say Instead (Builder Words):
- • "I can help you."
- • "Keep trying! You got this!"
- • "Next play! Shake it off!"
- • "Can we talk about what happened?"
Sportsmanship Formula & Protocol COMPETE + RESPECT + ENCOURAGE + IMPROVE
Rule: Celebrate WITH people, not AT people (high-fives, fist bumps & team cheers).
The Daily "Athlete Test"
Before leaving the gym, ask yourself:
☐ Did I show genuine respect?
☐ Did I give my best effort today?
☐ Did I encourage someone?
☐ Did I play safely & follow rules?
☐ Did I handle winning/losing with poise?
☐ Did I learn or improve something?
All YES? Successful day! Weekly Awards
Upper Elementary Athletic Contract & Family Slip (Sign & Return) Teacher: Ms. Byndon • Gym
Student Athlete Name:
Grade / Homeroom:
Student Signature:
Parent/Guardian Signature:
"In Health & Fitness, you are not expected to be the best athlete. You are expected to be a good teammate, work hard, respect others, and become better than you were yesterday."
