PHILOSOPHY OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION
Physical Education is “education through the physical”. This activity serves as the medium through which a total learning experience takes place. Physical Education is an important part of the elementary school program. The lessons that are taught within the Physical Education curriculum should work to improve the students’ physical health, enhance their emotional outlook, and stimulate the intellectual activity and ability of the students.
The goal of Physical Education is to improve the whole person. This goal is reached by focusing on the teaching of physical skills, the acquisition of knowledge, and the development of attitudes through movement. School physical education and wellness programs should provide each student with various opportunities, from the basic
acquisition of locomotive and manipulative skills to the assessment of fitness levels and the knowledge of lifetime activities. Physical Education remains a vital part of the total process of education that utilizes games, sports, aquatics, dance, and other vigorous activities to help the individual achieve the goals of education and life.
The Physical Education Curriculum is divided into the following five key strands with multiple objectives and benchmarks for each strand:
Skilled Movement
Responsible Behaviors
Cognitive Concepts
Personal Fitness
Physically Active Lifestyle
The focus for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten is to develop an introductory level to space, time, and speed. The use of basic locomotors, manipulative, and rhythmic pattern skills will be used.
First through third grade involves instructional programs that focus on gaining full mastery of locomotive skills and a strong understanding of manipulative skills through lead up games and activities. Responsible behaviors will be emphasized with students being expected to identify and demonstrate appropriate Christian behaviors.
Fourth through eighth grades involves an instructional program that focuses on the integration of locomotive and manipulative skills into a sports setting. An emphasis is placed on the use of these skills in individual and team sports. Students will participate in individual team sports, dance, and physical fitness units. A high priority is placed on their physical fitness, responsible behaviors and cognitive concepts.
The combination of these five strands and their objectives will lead students to engage skillfully, knowledgeably and responsibly in an active, healthy Christian life.