Physical Education

Vision

Friends School of Minnesota believes that all individuals benefit from regular physical activity. The goal of our physical education program is to help students develop a physically active lifestyle through positive exposures to a variety of activities both competitive/non-competitive and team and individual activities. Students learn to understand concepts about their bodies through hands-on explorations and discussion.

One of our continuing goals is to help children see the relationship between an active lifestyle in which one can enhance his/her overall enjoyment, health, and outlook on life. As defined by the National Association For Sport and Physical Education, a physically educated person:

• Has learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities
• Participates regularly in physical activity and is physically fit
• Knows the implications of and the benefits from involvement in physical activities
• Values physical activity and its contribution (e.g. social-emotional) to a healthful lifestyle

Linkages

Friends School strives to make physical education an important part of the students daily life through increasing the opportunities to participate and foster movement. Physical activity is also promoted during our after school care program, middle school sports and recreational clubs (Outdoor Club/Running Club), and special offerings from staff members (e.g. dance lessons).

Becoming confident in one’s body and finding one’s place in the physical world is defined differently for all individuals. We provide students with exposure to a variety of activities to increase their level of comfort, confidence, and self expression to help them pursue activities which will provide them with an active and healthy lifestyle. Activities and skills selected are taught to better enable our students to make choices in pursuing involvement in lifelong activities.

Students participate in recreational activities as well as competitive games while appreciating the value and worth of healthy competition. The music and physical curriculum support each other through programming involved with an all school production. The Quaker commitment to social justice, peace, simplicity, and equality also influences the curriculum through a deep focus on sportsmanship and love of the process: simply put ……PLAY.

Strategies

Instruction in physical activity includes developing age appropriate general physical skills in the areas of coordination, strength, flexibility, speed, balance, and stamina. Students explore a variety of activities: hand/eye-hand/foot coordination skills, games, rhythms and dance, ropes, tumbling, problem solving (Project Adventure), nutrition and fitness. In addition to learning about one’s body, students learn to follow and remember game rules for the purpose of play and officiating games.

Seven Content Standards in Physical Education

A physically educated person:

1. Demonstrates competency in many movement forms and proficiency in a few movement forms.
2. Applies movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.
3. Exhibits a physically active lifestyle.
4. Achieves and maintains a health enhancing level of physical fitness.
5. Demonstrates responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.
6. Demonstrates understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings.
7. Understands that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

Physical Education Scope and Sequence/Benchmarks