Physical Education

The physical education curriculum in the fifth grade program provides children of all abilities and interests with a foundation of movement experiences that will eventually lead to an active and healthy lifestyle. Physical education and athletic programs have different purposes, in many respects. Developmentally appropriate physical education programs are designed for every child, from the physically gifted to the physically challenged.

In 1996, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education (NASPE) defined a physically educated person as one who:

• demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities;
  
  
• demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply to the learning and performance of physical activities;
  
  
• participates regularly in physical activity;
  
  
• achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness;
  
  
• exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings;
  
  
• values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.

Research has proven that habits taught at an early age are more apt to continue throughout a lifetime. Therefore, our health and physical education programs have been structured on a developmental continuum PreK-12.

Students in grade five participate in lessons with a physical education specialist every other day. In addition, reinforcement of physical education skills takes place within the general classroom setting. The physical education curriculum emphasizes the development of basic movement awareness, fundamental motor skills, manipulative skills and fitness, as applied to educational games and sports, rhythmics, dance, and gymnastic contexts.