Elementary School

Kindergarten
Participating in a variety of movement experiences to develop fundamental movement patterns is the primary focus of the kindergarten physical education curriculum. While children at this level vary in maturity across all movement skills, they should demonstrate continuous improvement in movement under very simple conditions. While developing fundamental skill patterns, students begin to learn key movement concepts that help them perform in a variety of educational games, dances, and gymnastics. They learn how their bodies react to vigorous physical activity. Students learn to use safe practices, cooperate with and respect others, and follow classroom rules. Experiences in physical education help them develop a positive attitude for leading a healthy, active lifestyle.

Grade One
Students in grade one refine locomotor skills and further develop fundamental non-locomotor and manipulative skills in educational games, dance, and gymnastics. They continue to develop an understanding of key concepts and anatomical basis of movement principles and link these concepts and principles to their movement. Students explore and experiment with a range of movement experiences in a variety of environmental contexts, with the goal of becoming confident and competent movers. Students relate participation in vigorous physical activity to changes in the body, to enjoyment, and to improving their health and wellness. They further their understanding of the importance of physical activity and energy balance (nutrition) in their lives. As students increase their understanding of movement, they gain a deeper understanding of how the body moves. Students continue to develop socially as they work safely alone and in groups. The natural enjoyment of physical activity should be reinforced and complemented by a variety of educational game, dance, and gymnastic activities in which students learn and are successful.

Grade Two
Students in grade two focus on mature patterns, not on traditional games, while participating in a variety of movement experiences to develop fundamental motor skills and patterns. They vary movement patterns and begin to combine skills in educational game, dance, and gymnastic activities. Student’s progress in skill development and in understanding key elements of fundamental movement skills, including movement concepts, major muscles and bones, health-related fitness concepts, energy balance concepts, and the benefits of physical activity. Students work cooperatively and responsibly in groups and begin to build skills to meet movement challenges. They participate in physical activities at school and identify opportunities to participate in regular physical activity outside of school.

Grade Three
Skill development remains a central focus for students in grade three as they begin to accept feedback from and provide appropriate feedback to others. Students refine, vary, and combine skills in complex situations and demonstrate more proficient movement patterns in educational games, dance, and gymnastic activities to become confident and competent movers. Students identify critical elements (small, isolated parts of the whole skill or movement) and apply them in their movement. They develop fitness knowledge and can relate regular physical activity to energy balance and health benefits. Students continue to build knowledge of body structures and systems. They know safe practices, rules, and procedures and apply them with little or no reinforcement. Students work cooperatively with peers and understand that there are many differences in movement skill and ability levels among their classmates.

Grade Four
In grade four, students make continuous progress across all fundamental motor patterns. Proficient movement patterns are possible as students combine locomotor and manipulative skills in increasingly complex situations. Students create sequences in educational dances and gymnastics. They apply movement concepts and principles and knowledge of anatomical structures in individual movement performances, and tactical strategies in modified activities. Fitness assessment is appropriate at this grade level, and students interpret the results of their assessments and set personal goals based on the results. Student’s exhibit appropriate etiquette, integrity, and conflict-resolution skills; and they apply proper rules and procedures.

Grade Five
Students in grade five apply movement principles and concepts and knowledge of anatomical structures and functions to enhance their movement performance, personal fitness, and game strategy and tactics. They develop proficiency in physical activities, dances, and educational gymnastics. Students demonstrate specialized skills alone, with a partner, or in a small group. They access and use resources to plan and improve personal fitness as they exhibit a physically active lifestyle. Students continue to develop responsible personal and social behaviors as they work with others in safe and respectful ways.

Middle School

Sixth Grade
Students in grade six ¬apply fundamental skills and knowledge of anatomical structures and movement principles to build movement competence and confidence through acquisition, performance, and refinement of skills. Cooperative and competitive small-group games are appropriate as well as outdoor pursuits, fitness activities, dance and rhythmic activities, aquatics, individual performance activities, and sports (net/wall, striking/fielding, and goal/target), with an emphasis on developing skills and tactical understanding. Students use feedback to initiate and maintain practice to improve skill performance. Students assess their health-related fitness status and set reasonable and appropriate goals for development, maintenance, and improvement. Students in grade six will explain the connection between energy balance and nutrition guidelines, meal planning, and heart rate. Social interaction becomes more complex as peer pressure becomes increasingly pronounced, impacting individual performance. Students solve problems and make responsible decisions as they work together. They identify and seek opportunities to participate in regular physical activity at school and outside the school environment.

Seventh Grade
Students in grade seven continue to develop competence in modified versions of various game/sport, rhythmic, and recreational activities. They vary movement during dynamic and unpredictable game situations. Recreational pursuits become an additional curriculum option, broadening lifelong physical activity options. The ability to analyze skill performance through observing and understanding critical elements (small, isolated parts of the whole skill or movement) is increasingly apparent, as is the application of basic scientific principles of anatomical structures, movement principles, energy balance, and personal fitness. Students relate the importance of physical activity to health, focusing particularly on obesity and stress. Students achieve and maintain personal fitness standards and create plans by setting reasonable and appropriate goals for improvement or maintenance of health-related fitness. Students continue to develop social skills and cooperative behaviors by demonstrating problem solving, conflict resolution, communication skills, appropriate etiquette, integrity, and respect for others.

Eighth Grade
Students in grade eight demonstrate competence in skillful movement in modified, dynamic game/sport situations and in a variety of rhythmic and recreational activities. They transition from modified versions of movement forms to more complex applications across all types of activities. The grade-eight student applies knowledge of major body structures to explain how body systems interact with and respond to physical activity and how structures help the body create movement. Students will explain the relationship between nutrition, activity, and body composition to deepen understanding of energy balance. They will demonstrate socially responsible behavior as they show respect for others, make reasoned and appropriate choices, resisting negative peer pressure, and exhibit integrity and fair play to achieve individual and group goals in the physical activity setting. Students are able to set goals, track progress, and participate in physical activities to improve health-related fitness. They have a repertoire of abilities across a variety of game/sport, dance, and recreational pursuits and begin to develop competence in specialized versions of lifelong game/sport activities.

High School

Flag football, field hockey, tennis, bowling, soccer, basketball, wrestling, power volleyball, volleyball, individual rhythmic skills, modern dance, tumbling, golf, table tennis, track, physical fitness tests

Ninth Grade
The Health and Safety curriculum in the first semester of the ninth grade include the Endocrine System, Fitness, Preventing Infectious and Life Style Diseases, and Mental Health and Stress.

The Health and Safety curriculum in the second semester of the ninth grade include the understanding of Drugs, Alcohol and Tobacco, Personal Safety and Violence, Basic First Aid/CPR/AED and Family Life Education.

Physical Education is an academic discipline that involves the study of human movement and its impact of health and quality of life.

Tenth Grade
Classroom driver education is taught in place of health education during the first semester of the tenth grade year. Driver literacy is an important life skill. The classroom and in-car driver education standards are intended to help students develop conceptual understanding of safe driving practices and skill-based performance. The standards also stress the abilities to reason and connect safe driving skills with safe driving attitudes. Emphasis is placed on linking the skills of visual search, managing time and space, and maintaining vehicle balance. Significant attention is given to awareness of risk, maintenance of alertness, driver distractions, and protection of occupants.

The Health and Safety curriculum in the second semester of the tenth grade include Personal Health Awareness, Community Health Awareness, Health Information Access and Use, and Family Life Education.

Physical Education is an academic discipline that involves the study of human movement and its impact of health and quality of life.

Electives
Elective health, safety and physical education instruction is offered in health concepts, fitness components, various sports, introduction to Physical Education Leadership Training (PELT) and the Peer Facilitator program.