Follow the national standards for the grade or grade(s) you are teaching. Many of these standards for elementary school students include mastering movements while moving (running, walking) and staying in place and manipulative movements, such as throwing, catching, pushing and swinging.
Warm up and cool down at the beginning and end of each P.E. session. Explain to the students why they are warming up and how each activity helps them. For example, if part of the warm up is to perform jumping jacks, explain that this activity warms up the muscles without exerting too much force, which can pull and injure the muscle.
Incorporate games into each lesson. These games should specifically address the national standards. For example, part of the national standard for fourth graders is to learn manipulative moves. To help accomplish this goal, you might play dodge ball. Teach the students how to throw, catch and dodge the ball; then, ask them to practice by playing the game.
Discuss activities that students can do at home to exhibit a healthy lifestyle. In the case of elementary students, this does not mean finding a gym and running the treadmill. However, it might mean performing a number of exercises each day or playing with friends outside three to five times a week, while warming up before playing.