Slovenia 3rd Grade Curriculum - Physical Education

The Slovenian National Curriculum for Physical Education outlines the following key areas for 3rd grade students:

General Objectives:

Physical education aims to develop the whole child by focusing on their primal need for movement and play. It promotes the development of motor and functional skills, fosters an understanding of sports, and encourages a positive emotional and intellectual connection with physical activity. The curriculum emphasizes regular, high-quality physical activity to contribute to the well-rounded development of young people, promoting relaxation and counteracting the negative effects of prolonged sitting and other unhealthy habits. It also aims to educate students on how to enrich their leisure time with sports activities throughout their lives, fostering well-being, health, vitality, and a positive outlook.

Specific Learning Objectives and Content:

The curriculum is structured around four key areas:

• Physical Efficiency: Students improve their motor skills and functional abilities (coordination, strength, speed, flexibility, accuracy, balance, and general endurance) through conscious body control and various rhythmic movements, often accompanied by music. They also learn to assess their physical efficiency in relation to their biological development.
• Fundamental Movement Skills and Sports Knowledge: Students master basic movement patterns and gain experience in various sports by engaging in natural forms of movement, controlling their bodies in different positions and movements, imitating objects and animals, and expressing emotions through movement. They learn to handle sports equipment (boxes, benches, bars, vaulting boxes, balls, skipping ropes, hoops, obstacles, rackets, etc.) and perform basic elements of athletics, gymnastics, and games with various balls. They apply these movements in modified games with simple rules, learn selected children's and folk dances, and adapt to water up to the gliding stage. Some schools may offer skiing, ice skating, and snowboarding activities.
• Positive Sports Experience and Education Through Play: Students explore their abilities, develop self-confidence, determination, and perseverance, and acquire basic hygiene habits related to sports. They learn positive behavior patterns, including tolerance, teamwork, following game rules, and respecting sportsmanship, equipment, nature, and the environment.
• Understanding the Importance of Movement and Sports: Students learn about correct posture, appropriate sportswear and footwear, and the names of body positions, movements, and some teaching forms. They become familiar with various sports surfaces, equipment, and tools, understand simple rules of elementary and other games, and learn basic safety principles in the gym, on the playground, in the pool, on the snow, and during hikes.

Minimum Standards for Advancement:

By the end of 3rd grade, students should be able to:

• Perform natural forms of movement with ease and coordination.
• Safely execute simple motor tasks.
• Follow the rules of selected elementary games and exhibit good sportsmanship.
• Run and walk continuously for five minutes.
• Jump and throw according to their individual abilities.
• Perform basic gymnastic exercises, including forward rolls and standing on shoulder blades.
• Move rhythmically to music and participate in children's and folk dances.
• Handle balls and participate in elementary ball games.
• Adapt to water and swim 15 meters.
• Hike for three hours with longer breaks.
• Understand basic measurement units.

Additional Activities (Offered by Schools with Resources):

• Winter activities (skiing, ice skating, sledding, snow games)
• Sports programs (Zlati sonek, Ciciban planinec)

Didactic Recommendations:

Teachers are encouraged to adapt the curriculum to the specific needs and abilities of their students, using a variety of teaching methods and resources, including modern ICT. Emphasis is placed on creating a positive and enjoyable learning environment where students can develop a lifelong love for sports and physical activity.