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The goals of the Physical Education
Program are as follows:
All students will learn to listen carefully
in order to understand and follow instructions as well as
play safely. Those who are more skilled will learn to give
clear directions to others as they help to teach each other.
Students will learn that an understanding
and respect for the rules allows people to cooperate with
each other to accomplish a common goal. They will also learn
to develop trust and respect for others in addition to developing
a sense of responsibility for themselves and their actions.
Students will also appreciate individuals
on the basis of their own unique characteristics as well as
their contributions to the group.
The age-appropriate activities in our program
focus on developing personal living skills such as: cardiovascular
and musculoskeletal fitness, cooperation, risk taking, leadership,
fellowship, trust and respect in addition to safety.
All classes begin with a warm-up activity.
For the younger students, a game is usually played to have
them run and have fun while the older students will either
play a game or jog/walk for time. Both of these methods are
used to increase their CV endurance and overall wellness.
We then stretch to improve flexibility as well as to prevent
injury. Following the stretching is the lesson for the day.
Students will be exposed to a variety of
games and activities/sports throughout the year. They will
have the opportunity to explore numerous types of equipment
for manipulation. This is to help develop their kinesthetic
awareness and coordination. Locomotor skills such as walking,
hopping, skipping, jumping, running, galloping etc. as well
as non-locomotor skills such as stretching, pulling, pushing,
bending, turning, etc. will be learned in addition to manipulative
skills such as hitting, kicking, throwing, catching and the
like.
During the primary stage of development (Pre-Kindergarten),
the foundations for more basic coordinated movements and skills
are emphasized. This is done through simple modified games,
which may include skills borrowed from organized sports but
just broken down. Essentially, their year is broken down into
units of skill as opposed to units of sport. For example,
instead of playing baseball, we may work on throwing by playing
"pizza topping" where students have to throw fluff
balls over a mid-line into hoola-hoops as if they were putting
a topping on a pizza pie.
For the first and second graders, their skill
level allows them to play typically organized sports (baseball,
football, soccer…) but in a modified situation. They
will spend more time honing their sports skills and learning
some of the official rules or plays but will play in smaller
teams, or with different rules to aid in their success. An
alternative to full or modified games is to have skill challenges.
These skill challenges will concentrate on certain skills
of such sports as mentioned above but will not allow them
to play a regulation game until such skills are acquired.
The oldest of our students, grades three
to six, have the skills necessary to participate in organized
sports and even officiate once they have learned the rules.
They will also be assessed not only on their skill, as other
grades will, but also on their knowledge of the sport and
strategies. Both of these can be assessed through written
exams as well as through direct observation. These students
will be lucky enough to try lacrosse for the first time in
addition to baseball, basketball, hockey, tennis, soccer,
football, and many more learning about strategy and team play.
They may also be able to participate in some
adventure education activities which stress teamwork, cooperation,
confidence, self-worth, respect, cognitive thinking as well
as fun, adventure and risk taking.
All of the students will participate in fitness
improving activities. They will all be introduced to and informed
of the importance of physical activity, healthy living and
cooperation.
Health Education
Students will be introduced to a variety
of health topics throughout the year. Health is given once
a week as a classroom subject as well as discussed during
physical education class. Topics covered range from general
benefits of exercise and nutrition to making wise decisions
regarding drugs, peer pressure and in emergency situations.
The parts of the body and functions of the internal systems
are discussed in addition to proper hygiene.
The older children are introduced to and
made knowledgeable of diseases like HIV and AIDS. The oldest
of the students will even learn about how their bodies and
relationships will change as they enter a crucial time in
their lives; that being puberty. This is all explained in
a special sexual education unit taught by the school Nurse
and the Physical Education teacher. |
