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Physical Education
PK-12 Curriculum

 

 

 

Philosophy of Physical Education and Standards

The physical education program for grades PK-12 provides the Mayan student the opportunity to actively participate in and learn about wellness and movement activities in a sequential manner that will contribute to an active healthy lifestyle. Upon completion of studies at Colegio Maya, a student should represent the National Association for Sport and Physical Education's (NASPE) definition of a physically educated person.

 *A physically educated student will meet the seven following NASPE content standards, being able to:

  1. Demonstrate competency in many and proficiency in a few movement forms.

  2. Apply movement concepts and principles to the learning and development of motor skills.

  3. Exhibit a physically active lifestyle.

  4. Achieve and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness.

  5. Demonstrate responsible personal and social behavior in physical activity settings.

  6. Demonstrate understanding and respect for differences among people in physical activity settings.

  7. Understand that physical activity provides opportunities for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction.

With these NASPE standards in mind, we believe that the medium for optimal performance is an active, positive and safe learning environment. Specifically at Colegio Maya we believe the learning experiences for our students should be designed as follows:

  • To allow students to experience success as much as possible in movement;

  • For maximal participation at all levels of abilities;

  • For instruction that encourages individual challenge and growth;

  • For active learning that embraces the concept of movement and fun while learning;

  • To value competition, yet make cooperative play a priority;

  • For wellness lifestyle connections to the student's physical, mental and emotional/spiritual well-being;

  • To include learning activities that are fitness-enhancing whenever possible;

  • To encourage a well-rounded physical education that includes exposure to as many varied movement forms as possible;

  • To promote learning that will enable the student to be physically active for life.

 

 


Elementary School Physical Education

PreKinder-Kindergarten

The focus at this level is the foundation of fundamental movements skills and movements awareness. The playing of activities is highly important at this level because it is a natural part of developing and the students learn better when they enjoy what they are doing. At this level, there is an emphasis in small games and playing together, an introduction of directional skills, balance and general coordination of gross motor skills, and eye, foot and hand coordination. Learning in their world of natural game playing is synonymous with having fun!

1st & 2nd Grades

At this level, students refine their movement awareness and their basic fundamental skills. The children will further refine the fundamental movements presented at the PK/K level. Introduced at this level are locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulation skills. Bouncing, dribbling, passing and striking are important themes. Included in play are hula hoops, jump ropes, scooters, rhythmic activities and relays. Students work individually, with partners, and in small group games. Children are also introduced to fitness at this time.

3rd, 4th, 5th Grade

The key word at this level is "transition". The 3rd graders continue to refine fundamental and gross motor skills with an emphasis on body management. At this level, students are encouraged to be more individualized in participating in routines, fitness tests, and simple sport skills. At the 4th grade level, "progression" is the key word as students work towards an intermediate level with more specific refined skills. Social skills are very important as individuals and in the group setting. The entrance into athletic activities is gradual and educational. The 5th grade level is similar to the fourth grade level, but with an increase in fitness and athletic activities.

 

Middle School Physical Education

6th Grade

The emphasis in sixth grade physical education is working cooperatively to achieve a common goal. The Maya student begins to use learned skills and combinations of skills in the context of performance and game situations. While physical skills are reinforced a cooperative effort is also fostered. Sixth grade is a time in which students begin to recognize the role games, sports, dance and outdoor pursuits in their personal lives and fitness levels and how these activities can help them to understand people of diverse cultures. 

7th Grade

The emphasis in seventh grade physical education is meeting challenges and making decisions. During this time of rapid physical, social and emotional change students are looking for a sense of belonging, community, peer group and team to gain more confidence in individual and group activities. Physical education offers the opportunity for students to take risks and accept challenges of setting personal goals. Students will be able to participate in vigorous activity for a sustained period of time while maintaining a target heart rate and be able to identify proper warm-up, conditioning and cooling-down techniques.

8th Grade

The emphasis in eighth grade physical education is to have the class members recognize and respect individual goals while working together in a group/team setting. Students are encouraged to challenge themselves in developing their own movement identities in athletics and personal fitness. They are asked to make considerable progress towards a level of competency in many athletic activities while also identifying athletic activities in which to work towards a level of proficiency.

9th Grade

As the ninth grade is the last year of required physical education, the emphasis is on making sure that the students possess the skills, abilities and knowledge to be considered "physically educated". The implication of being Physically Educated means that the student is prepared to take responsibility for being physically active during her/his life and possesses the tools to do so. More specifically, this means that the student is able to perform one or more athletic activities at a proficient level while able to perform several athletic activities at a competent level. Additionally, the student knows the value and benefits of being physically fit and is able to plan and complete their own individual training program.

 

High School Electives (10th - 12th grades)

The expectation is that students graduating from high school should be able to plan their own lifelong fitness and wellness programs, develop their own learning plans for acquiring new motor skills, and analyze their own movement performances by applying biomechanical principles. They will also be able to understand and appreciate skillful movement from both a personal and social perspective.

During their last three years, students are required to complete a semester of Health and an additional semester class of their choice. The students are permitted and encouraged to continue to be physically active while pursuing more individual movement interests. The semester course electives include: Fit for Life, Active for Life, Adventure Leadership, Lifetime Sports and Outdoor Adventure. Descriptions for the classes are as follows:

Fit for Life: Allows the Mayan student to work towards becoming physically fit. Actively involved in the learning process, the student also learns the necessary information to be able to participate in fitness programs as an adult.

Active for Life: Allows the Mayan student to work towards becoming physically active on a regular basis. It is important that the student learns to value the role that regular physical activity plays in the pursuit of lifelong health and well-being.

Adventure Leadership: Allows the Mayan student to develop self-confidence in a non-traditional movement setting. Students examine their own leadership styles while performing adventure-related activities.

*Lifetime Sports and Outdoor Adventure classes are offered for one semester each during the year. The class is held for several hours once a week, leaving school during the activity period and traveling to outside facilities.

Lifetime Sports: Allows the Mayan student to experience and develop lifetime sport skills. Due to the nature of the activities (bowling, swimming, rock climbing, golf, etc.), classes are held at off-campus facilities.

Outdoor Adventure: Allows the Mayan student the opportunity to participate in ropes course activities while also integrating other content areas. As opportunities arise, students will also participate in hiking, orienteering and other adventure activities.

     

 

 

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