Abby Thompson

K-5 Physical Education Teacher, Volleyball Coach, UW-Madison Alum, Illinois State Graduate Student

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Go Short, Go Long! A fun intro to football! Students learn the roles of the QB and offense, then practice calling the play: “Go short” or “Go long!” Make the catch? Run to the end zone and celebrate with your best touchdown dance!

#physed #elempe #football

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Great game I learned from @lauren_kidd_ at WHPE! Build & Blast gets students working on their throwing and catching skills to collect hula hoops. Collect all 6? Build your hula hut and BLAST it down!

#physed #elempe #football

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Huge shoutout to @usa_lacrosse for the PE equipment grant! Our students are going to be SO excited to try out the equipment and learn a new sport. I’m just as excited to teach them and introduce them to the game! 🥍🙌

#PhysEd #elempe #Lacrosse

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Another fun Halloween game! Move the Pumpkin! Students practice their overhand throw while aiming for the Omnikin ball. A fun way to reinforce skills from our Plickers assessment in a game setting! (Thanks, Phys Ed Review!)

#physed #elempe #halloween

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Some spooky fun for our 1st-4th graders! Halloween PE stations included:
1. Pumpkin & Ghost Volleyball
2. Ghost Strike Down
3. Pumpkin Pail Candy Toss
4. Ghost Bowling (not pictured!)

#physed #elempe #halloween

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Our kinders had a blast with Halloween-themed games! The Witch’s Broomstick Relay is a favorite! Students race through the haunted forest collecting ingredients for their witches’ potions. Adding gravestones & more themes items to next year’s wish list!

#physed #elempe

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

@CoachGelardi @WHPEOffice Such an inspiring keynote and presentation! It was great meeting you and getting to participate in your activities. Thanks for sharing your passion and knowledge!

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Such a fun time at WHPE 2026! Loved connecting with current students, professors, and alumni from my alma mater, UW–Madison, and meeting/reconnecting with so many passionate PE educators. Always great to be surrounded by people who love what they do!

#physed

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

2nd Run-A-Thon in the books! What a success!

Our community raised over $32,000 to support our school, and we couldn’t be more proud of the students, families, staff, and community members who made it possible.

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Seen lots of different versions of this game, but here’s our take: Power Tower!

Today we learned about muscular endurance & put it into practice by completing exercises to earn cups and build our towers. Gotta put in the power & strength to build your tower!

#physed #elempe

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Cardio Pyramid Battle by Dawn Burke was a fun way to kick off our fitness unit and introduce 1 of the 5 fitness components!

Students worked their way up the pyramid by rolling dice. Higher rolls advanced them up, while lower rolls meant running a lap.

#physed #elempe #fitness

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Here we go… Year 2! 🫶🏸🏀

#physed #elempe

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

So grateful to receive new pickleball equipment for my elementary PE students! 🏓

A huge thank you to @SelkirkSport for supporting our program. My students are going to be over the moon, and I can't wait to introduce them to the game this school year!

#PhysEd #ElemPE

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

@IAHPERD @BarbaraBorden9 @CoachA_physed These cows are perfect for WI! Love it. @WHPEOffice

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Great week at UW–Madison's Early Career Teaching Institute! 👐 So grateful to be back on campus, reconnect with professors and fellow alumni, and pick up new ideas for the school year. Thanks to the UW–Madison School of Education for a great experience! #UWMadison #TeacherEd

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

What a great day at the @IAHPERD Summer Conference! Grateful for the opportunity to learn, connect, and bring back new ideas to support students. #IAHPERD #PhysEd

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Flashback to our Kindergarten Winter Olympics where athletes competed in ski jump!

Noodles were used as their skis as they pushed themselves forward through the hula hoops. Trampolines were a nice touch to simulate flying through the sky! #physed

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Sharing one of the sweetest moments from PE this past school year!

Teamwork & kindness are constantly talked about in our class. The best is when they take those skills & apply it in real life! What a rockstar group of 1st graders. #physed #teamwork

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Looking to incorporate nutrition in PE?

Students worked together in groups to purchase as many healthy foods as possible, while still keeping a balanced diet.

Groups exercised to earn money. With their money, they took turns shopping at the grocery store! #physed #nutrition

[Abby Thompson @ms_thompson_pe]

Check out my article with the UW-Madison School of Education. I had the wonderful opportunity to discuss my experiences in the Physical Education program!

https://t.co/3rcMRXZ55U