Sample Expectations by School Grade

Use these JUST RUN and California guidelines for activities based on grade level

2nd Grade:
1. Only run 1/4 mile at a time without breaks
2. Should be able to move backwards and change directions quickly and safely without falling
3. Should be able to jump and land using just one or both feet
4. Should be able to throw a ball hard both overhand, underhand, and sideways
5. Jump rope that is self turned
6. Skip, hop, gallop, slide.

3rd grade:
1. Only run 1/2 mile at a time without breaks.
2. Should be able to dribble a ball with both hands and feet.
3. Should be able to play and assist others in activities involving up to 5 people.
4. Will begin to accept challenges and feel success or failure from activities.
5. Can work on flexibility and stretching.
6. Can spontaneously create their own movement drills.

Grade 4:
1. Only run 1 mile continuously without breaks.
2. Can hand or foot dribble while moving in a group.
3. Jump and land for height or distance.
4. Describe healthful benefits that result from regular exercise.
5. Recognize fundamental rules in most simple games.
6. Maintain conscious aerobic activity for a specified time.
7. Leap, leading with either foot.

Grade 5:
1. Only run 1 and 1/4 mile continuously without breaks.
2. Can manipulate objects with accuracy and speed.
3. Be involved in games on teams with emphasis on two or more skills at the same time.
4. Knows rules of games and when someone has broken them.
5. Can use strategy in races or games.
6. Recognizes that different body types are better for certain activities than others.
7. Can understand and appreciate physical activity and the interrelationship with health.

Grade 6:
1. Only run 2 miles continuously without breaks.
2. Can throw various objects for distance and accuracy such as frisbees, baseballs, footballs, rings, etc.
3. Can design and play games using both offense and defense.
4. Can design an exercise program involving different disciplines. Jumping, running, sit ups, etc.
5. Recognize the role of games and sports in getting to know others and different cultures.
6. Can understand and demonstrate activities designed to improve and maintain strength, endurance, flexibility, balance, cardio-vascular function.

Grade 7:
1. Only run 2 1/2 miles continuously without breaks.
2. Can leap, roll, balance, bat, volley, hand and foot dribble.
3. Can participate in more vigorous activity over sustained periods of time.
4. Can identify proper warm up, conditioning, and cooling-down techniques and the reasons for using them.
5. Can accept and respect decisions of coaches and judges and referees in games.
6. Become engaged in activities that are very challenging, risk taking, involve strategy and decisions.

8th grade:
1. Only run 3 miles continuously without breaks.
2. Can describe long-term physiological, psychological, and other benefits from regular participation in physical activity.
3. Can participate in team games and understand and appreciate the rules and necessity for team work and cooperation.
4. Understand how their own growth will effect their coordination and that of others.
5. Understand how to improve and maintain appropriate body composition.
6. Can be involved in a regular weekly exercise schedule.