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PE skills rubric: grades K–2, 3–5 and 6–8

This PE skills rubric scores a motor skill such as throwing, catching, jumping or dribbling: ready position, technique cues, effort, safety, and sportsmanship. It scores form and effort, never body size, speed alone or natural ability, and it should be adapted for students with disabilities. Grades 3–5 and 6–8 use four levels with points; K–2 uses three levels in plain words. Print it, copy it into Google Docs, or open it in the rubric maker.

Written for Peabody Teach. Checked . Free to print, copy and change.

Grades K–2

3 levels, 5 criteria, no points (a switch in the maker adds them).

PE skills rubric (Grades K–2)Name ____________________ Date ________
CriteriaWow!YesNot yet
Ready positionI get ready every time, feet apart, knees bent, eyes on my target.I get ready most times.I forget to get ready.
MovesI do all the moves my teacher shows, in order.I do some of the moves.I am still learning the moves.
Try hardI keep trying the whole time and try again after a miss.I try most of the time.I stop when it gets hard.
Safe bodyI stay in my space, use the gear the right way, and stop on the signal.I am safe most of the time.I bump others or misuse the gear.
Good sportI take turns, share, and cheer for my friends.I take turns.I grab or get upset when it is not my turn.
Open in the maker
  • I can get in my ready position.
  • I can do the moves my teacher shows.
  • I can keep trying, even when it is hard.
  • I can keep myself and others safe.
  • I can take turns and cheer for others.

Grades 3–5

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

PE skills rubric (Grades 3–5)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Ready positionStarts in a balanced ready position every time and resets quickly between tries.Starts in a ready position most times.Sometimes starts in a ready position.Rarely starts in a ready position./ 4
Technique cuescounts ×2Shows all the cues for the skill, such as step, turn and follow through, in a smooth motion.Shows most of the cues for the skill.Shows one or two cues.Does not show the cues yet./ 8
EffortWorks hard the whole time, practices on own, and tries again after a miss.Works hard most of the time.Effort comes and goes.Rarely tries the skill./ 4
SafetyFollows all safety rules, uses equipment correctly, and watches out for others.Follows safety rules and uses equipment correctly.Needs reminders about safety or equipment.Often unsafe with self, others or equipment./ 4
SportsmanshipPlays fair, encourages teammates and opponents, and handles wins and losses calmly.Plays fair and takes turns.Sometimes argues or leaves others out.Often argues or plays unfairly./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can start in a ready position for the skill.
  • I can perform the skill using the teaching cues.
  • I can practice with full effort and keep trying.
  • I can follow safety rules and use equipment correctly.
  • I can play fair and encourage others.

Grades 6–8

4 levels, 5 criteria, 24 points in all.

PE skills rubric (Grades 6–8)Name ____________________ Date ________ Total ____ / 24
CriteriaExceeds4 pointsMeets3 pointsApproaching2 pointsBeginning1 pointScore
Ready positionUses the ready position the situation calls for and adjusts it as play changes.Uses a correct ready position for the skill.Ready position is late or off balance.Does not use a ready position./ 4
Techniquecounts ×2Performs all cues with smooth, consistent form in drills and in game play.Performs most cues correctly in drills.Form breaks down often or misses key cues.Does not show correct form yet./ 8
Self-assessmentNames own strengths and one cue to fix, then practices it and shows improvement.Names one cue to fix with help.Names a fix but does not practice it.Cannot name what to work on yet./ 4
Effort and safetyGives full effort every class, follows all safety rules, and helps others stay safe.Gives steady effort and follows safety rules.Effort is uneven or needs safety reminders.Little effort, or often unsafe./ 4
SportsmanshipPlays fair, accepts calls, includes everyone, and encourages teammates and opponents.Plays fair and accepts calls.Sometimes argues calls or excludes others.Often argues, excludes or plays unfairly./ 4
Open in the maker
  • I can choose and hold the right ready position for the situation.
  • I can perform the skill with correct form in practice and in game play.
  • I can name a cue I need to fix and practice it.
  • I can give full effort while keeping myself and others safe.
  • I can play fair, respect officials and support teammates.

When to use it

  • Skill checks for throwing, catching, kicking, jumping, striking or dribbling.
  • Write the cues for the skill you are teaching on the board and score against them.
  • Adapt the skill, equipment or distance for students with disabilities, and score their form and effort.
  • As a partner check: one student performs, the other watches one cue.

What to say to students

  • I am watching how you move, not how big, fast or strong you are.
  • Start in your ready position every time.
  • Try your best, keep your space safe, and cheer for others.

Related

The criteria are generic and written for this site, with no standards codes, so they fit any curriculum. Open one in the maker to change a word, add a row or switch to a single-point rubric; what you change stays in your browser.