South Korea Elementary School 5th Grade Curriculum - Physical Education

Physical education in South Korean elementary schools is a core subject, often integrated with music and art under the "Pleasant Life" curriculum area. The Korean National Curriculum for Physical Education (KNCPE) aims to cultivate students' physical, cognitive, and social development.

Curriculum Overview

The KNCPE emphasizes the development of fundamental movement skills, health-related fitness, and social-emotional learning. While the national curriculum sets overarching goals, individual schools have some flexibility in designing their specific programs. For grades 5 and 6, the allocated time for Physical Education is 204 instructional hours (40 minutes per hour) over two years.

Key Areas of Focus

• Fundamental Movement Skills: Students develop locomotor skills (e.g., running, jumping, skipping), non-locomotor skills (e.g., bending, twisting, balancing), and manipulative skills (e.g., throwing, catching, kicking).
• Health-Related Fitness: Activities focus on improving cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
• Social-Emotional Learning: Physical education fosters teamwork, cooperation, sportsmanship, and respect for others.

Traditional Activities

Traditional Korean games like Jegi-chagi (a game similar to hacky sack) are sometimes incorporated into physical education classes.

Example Curriculum (International School)

While not representative of all South Korean elementary schools, the curriculum guide from Yeil Christian International School provides an example of how the KNCPE standards can be implemented. Their program for grades 3-5 includes activities such as basketball, soccer, jumping rope, running, badminton, table tennis, baseball, and dance, with an emphasis on developing fundamental movement skills, fitness, and healthy eating habits.

Challenges and Developments

In recent years, there has been discussion about the limited PE time for younger elementary students in South Korea. Efforts are being made to increase physical activity opportunities for these students.