Sport and Games Sports and Games Throughout the Curriculum As part of a balanced education involving body, mind and spirit, physical education is not just "a break" from real learning. A developmentally appropriate movement curriculum from first through eighth grade builds the child's physical intelligence with: circle games, singing games, hand clapping games, swinging, jumping, climbing, jumping rope, running, skipping, hopping, free play, tumbling, ball passing, gymnastics, rhythmic movement skills, throwing skills, tagging games, fitness games, blindfolded games, parachute games, animal movement activities, rod exercises, stretching and strengthening exercises, balancing exercises, track and field, Greek games, sports, and circus arts. Physical education class is a time and space for the children to foster the development of several intelligences that enliven the physical, social and mental abilities innate in the students. The primary focus in class is on the bodily and spatial skills of the students, through the physical experience of strength, coordination, suppleness, and stamina. Another essential element in the curriculum is the intra and/or interpersonal development (social skills) of the child in the interaction with others through communication, caring, respect and sharing. Also promoted is the area of logical and critical thinking skills through gaming strategies, cooperative problem solving, formations and patterns of movement and mental games.