Physical Education

The Physical Education program is designed to help develop physically educated individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to understand the benefits of total body movement and also the self-confidence to enjoy a lifetime of physical activity.

PRE-PRIMARY/ EARLY ELEMENTARY

Students at this age level learn about and interpret their environment through play. As children experience personal feelings of success and achievement through movement, they begin to recognize others; acknowledge that others may occupy their space; learn to move about in their space without interfering with others; and begin to learn to take turns and share interactions with others. This can be a first step in becoming and participating in larger group activities.

Pre-Primary and Early Elementary physical education focuses on the development of fundamental motor skills and movement experiences. Students explore the different ways their bodies move in relationship to themselves, others, and with a variety of objects. They discover the joy of playing with friends and how social interaction can make activities more fun.

LOWER ELEMENTARY

In the Lower Elementary program, children build upon skills acquired in the Pre-Primary/Early Elementary programs.  Students will be able to vary the manner in which they perform and use these skills in combination with each other. Children will begin to identify and use critical elements for fundamental skills. Students will receive a basic introduction to the components of health related fitness. They will know safe practices, physical education class rules and procedures, and be able to apply them with little or no reinforcement.

Lower Elementary Physical Education allows for the attainment of maturing motor patterns for the basic locomotor, non-locomotor, and selected isolated manipulative skills. Students will acquire specialized skills basic to movement form and use those skills with a partner. They will continue to develop cooperation skills to enable completion of a common goal while working with a partner or in a small group.

UPPER ELEMENTARY

In the Upper Elementary Program, children review and begin to master skills acquired in the Lower El program. They are also introduced to a wide variety of new skills developmentally appropriate for this age level. Nine to twelve physical education will allow for the refinement of fundamental patterns, mature motor patterns, and selected insulated manipulative skills. Students will begin to be able to use these skills and combinations of skills in the context of actual performance situations. Children will begin to use teacher feedback to improve skills, and work with peers in cooperative settings. They will identify the purposes for and follow activity-specific practices, game and class rules, procedures, and sportsmanship. Students will continue to develop cooperative interpersonal skills to enable completion of a common goal while working with a partner or small group.

Upper Elementary students attach great importance to group membership and often choose participation in physical activity to be with their peers. This interaction allows for the opportunity to demonstrate leadership as well as learning to be a good follower. They continue to be challenged by learning new physical activities. All these skills contribute to the development of productive and responsible young citizens.