Western Governors University

D694: Elementary Health and Physical Education Methods

A study guide to WGU's D694, on teaching health and physical education to elementary pupils and building lifelong healthy habits.

Updated October 2026 · 5 min read

D694 is the health and physical education methods course in WGU's Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education, listed at 3 competency units.

WGU describes it as giving educators the knowledge and techniques to deliver health and PE in elementary schools, from fundamental movement skills to lifelong wellness habits.

Students often underestimate it because PE feels intuitive. The marks come from planning: clear objectives, developmentally suitable activities, inclusive adaptations and a way to assess learning. Health content also needs accurate, age-appropriate treatment.

Course at a Glance

ItemDetails
UniversityWestern Governors University (WGU)
Course codeD694 (undergraduate version)
LevelBachelor's, elementary education
Size3 competency units in the BA guidebook
Subject areaHealth education, physical education, wellness
Work typeInstructional activity design (confirm on your course page)

What D694 Covers

Competency (WGU wording, summarized)What it means in practice
Describes basic concepts in health and physical educationMovement skills, fitness ideas, health topics
Develops instructional activities related to physical and health educationPlanned lessons with objectives, steps and checks
Integrates physical, cognitive, emotional and social health with intentional instructional decisionsExplaining why each choice supports whole-child wellbeing

WGU also lists integration across subjects, inclusion, assessing progress in PE and using technology.

Key Concepts Explained

Fundamental Movement Skills

Locomotor skills (running, hopping, skipping), manipulative skills (throwing, catching, striking) and stability skills (balancing, landing). Early lessons build these before game strategy.

Example objective: "By the end of the lesson, pupils can throw underhand to a partner with a step on the opposite foot, three out of five attempts." It is specific, observable and checkable with a simple tally.

Whole-Child Health

Physical activity affects mood, attention and social interaction. A lesson on cooperative games can address teamwork and emotional health alongside movement.

Inclusion

Offer adaptations, such as a larger ball, shorter distance or seated option, without singling pupils out.

Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them

Work typeWhat it testsHow to approach it
Concept descriptionContent knowledgeDefine terms simply and give a classroom example
Lesson or activity designPlanningObjective, safety, steps, adaptations and assessment
Integration planLinking dimensions of healthShow how physical, emotional and social goals appear in activities
RationaleIntentional decisionsExplain why each element fits the learners

A Competency-by-Competency Study Approach

  1. Concepts. Make flashcards for movement skills and health topics with one classroom use each.
  2. Activities. Write the objective first, then pick the activity that achieves it.
  3. Integration. Add a sentence on physical, cognitive, emotional and social health for every activity.

Where Students Get Stuck

A Lesson Plan Template You Can Reuse

SectionWhat to write
ObjectiveOne observable skill or knowledge statement
SafetySpace, equipment, boundaries, supervision
Warm-upActivity that prepares the body and the skill
Main activitySteps, groupings, teacher cues
AdaptationsEasier, harder and alternative versions
Cool-downCalm activity and a reflection question
AssessmentChecklist item, tally or self-rating

Filling every row prevents the most common rubric losses: missing safety, missing adaptations and missing assessment.

Planning a Health Lesson

Health lessons work best when children practice a decision. For a handwashing lesson, pupils might order picture cards showing the steps, then demonstrate with a partner and say when handwashing matters. This covers knowledge, skill and application. State which of the three each activity addresses, and keep language accurate and age-appropriate.

Assessment idea: Give each pupil a three-item picture check after the lesson and tally how many ordered the steps correctly. Use the results to decide which pupils need another practice round.

Assessing Movement and Health Learning

MethodBest forExample
Observation checklistMovement skillsTick when a pupil steps with the opposite foot
Self-assessmentEffort and goalsPupils color a face to show how they did
Peer feedbackCooperationA partner says one thing that went well
Short taskHealth knowledgeOrder the steps of a routine

Choose the method that matches your objective, and say what you will do with the results.

A Final Check Before You Submit

Study Tips for D694

How We Help with D694

Send the task, rubric and your draft. A tutor can explain movement and health concepts, review your lesson plan, or build a model lesson for a different skill. See our education assignment help guide for wider support.

GradeEssays is independent of Western Governors University. We provide study support, model references and editing of your own work. You complete and submit your own work under WGU's integrity policy. Orders are written from scratch, with free revisions within the scope of your original request and a full refund if late. No pass is promised.

Plan Your D694 Lesson with Confidence

Share your task and rubric. We help you connect movement, health content and assessment.

Start My D694 Help

Free revisions · Full refund if late · Written from scratch for your order

Frequently Asked Questions

What does D694 cover?

Health and physical education methods for elementary schools, from movement skills to lifelong wellness habits, per WGU.

How many competency units is D694?

The BA guidebook lists 3; the MAT guidebook lists 2.

Do I need to be athletic?

No. The course is about planning and teaching, not personal performance.

How do I assess PE?

Use observable criteria such as checklists or tallies tied to your objective.

Does the course include technology?

WGU mentions incorporating technology to enhance learning.

Can you write my lesson for me?

No. We tutor and edit your own drafts. You complete and submit your own work.