ST. ANNE’S EPISCOPAL SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION CURRICULUM

PRE-KINDERGARTEN — GRADE EIGHT

The goals of the physical education program are:

• To emphasize the importance of a healthy, active lifestyle
• To teach the fundamental skills for the interscholastic sports offered, as well as others
• To develop basic physical fitness skills as well as an expansion of physical capabilities at each level
• To develop the spirit of sportsmanship and group cooperation to be part of a team.

The physical education program emphasizes awareness and control of the body with the development and mastery of skills, the understanding of rules and strategies, and the practice of team membership and sportsmanship. The curriculum involves a series of developmentally appropriate skill building activities, focusing on improvement in and a love for athletic and recreational activities. Starting in sixth grade, students compete in interscholastic sports.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION SCOPE AND SEQUENCE

Physical Education at St. Anne’s is fundamental to the health and well being of every student. As a unique and essential part of the total education program, physical education significantly enhances all aspects of a child’s development including overall health, physical fitness, movement knowledge, academic performance, goal setting, self-esteem, stress management, and social skills. The physical education program presents a variety of activities that teach fitness, basic skills, rhythm and dance, tumbling, age appropriate games and sports that are developmentally sequential for each grade level from Pre-Kindergarten through grade eight. Physical education instructors strive to make physical activity fun and enjoyable for all students.

PRE-KINDERGARTEN AND KINDERGARTEN

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The physical education program for Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten students emphasizes cooperation, creativity, movement exploration, and body awareness.

GOALS

• Develop skills including, eye-hand, eye-foot, and foot-hand coordination
• Demonstrate creativity and enjoyment of body movements through space
• Develop physical fitness and increase understanding of the importance of physical fitness
• Develop confidence and enhance self esteem through cooperative games and activities

CONTENT

• Basic movement skills
• Games and activities
• Body awareness
• Space awareness
• Time
• Rhythmic activities
• Exploration of movement skills and small equipment
• Ball skills

GRADES ONE AND TWO

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The physical education program for grades one and two continues to emphasize cooperation, movement skills, and participation in as well as enjoyment of a variety of games. The children begin to develop specific sport skills and play cooperative games in preparation for team sports. Supportive gestures, cooperation, fair play, and good sportsmanship are emphasized in each class.

GOALS

• Develop confidence and enhance self esteem through cooperative games and activities
• Understand and practice principles of fair play and good sportsmanship
• Recognize and understand the concept of individual differences
• Demonstrate respect and acceptance of individual differences

CONTENT

• Basic movement skills
• Game and activities
• Rhythmic activities
• Movement with small equipment
• Ball skills 
• Exercises 

GRADES THREE, FOUR AND FIVE

The physical education program for grades three, four and five continues to expose students to a variety of movement skills as well as specific sport skills. There is continual focus on cooperation, sportsmanship, high cardiovascular activity, and respect for individual differences. The fifth grade program places more emphasis on team sports in preparation for the interscholastic experience beginning in sixth grade.

GOALS

• Develop skills involving coordination and agility
• Develop specific sports skills, and increase understanding of sports rules and strategies
• Improve physical fitness assessments and increase understanding of the importance of physical fitness
• Develop confidence and enhance self esteem
• Develop an understanding of individual differences and begin to accept and respect these differences
• Experience an introduction to interscholastic sports

CONTENT

• Game rules
• Exercise skills
• Sports skills: (included but not limited to field hockey, soccer, basketball, football, floor hockey, badminton, ping pong, baseball/softball and track and field)
• Outdoor education 
• Movement with small equipment
• Rhythmic activities
• Active alternatives to team sports

GRADES SIX, SEVEN AND EIGHT

The physical education program for grades six, seven and eight focuses on teamwork, fitness, and lifetime skills. There is an emphasis on cooperation, sportsmanship, high cardiovascular activity, and respect for individual differences.

GOALS

• Develop a positive attitude about health and fitness, in order to adopt healthy lifestyle choices
• Improve physical fitness and increase knowledge of cardiovascular health and fitness
• Develop an understanding of balanced nutrition
• Demonstrate good sportsmanship: both winning and losing gracefully
• Develop skills required of team members - sharing, supporting, and maximizing personal potential
• Master specific sports skills and increase understanding of sports rules and strategies
• Demonstrate an understanding of individual differences and accept and respect these differences without criticism

CONTENT

• Exercises 
• Game activities
• Active alternatives to team sports
• Outdoor education
• Cooperative activities
• Interscholastic sports: (boys’ and girls' soccer, girls’ field hockey, boys' and girls' basketball, cross-country)