Physical Education is quite a broad term, and a bit outdated in my opinion. If you look it up on the internet, it is a term that refers to an "educational course related to the physique of the human body. It is taken during primary and secondary education and encourages psychomotor learning in a play or movement exploration setting to promote health." In the IB world, it is labeled personal, social, and physical education (PSPE). I have also worked in schools where it is called "wellness" and "physical wellbeing (PW)."
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Whatever the label, one thing is clear about progressive physical education... it is a wonderful exploration of ourselves not only physically, but mentally, socially, and emotionally. I don't want my students to come to class thinking that they are just going to "PE." By definition, wellness is a process of change and growth. Through practicing mindfulness and social/emotional learning in conjunction with practices taken from different curriculums and experience, I strive to teach my students awareness and how to make choices towards a healthy and fulfilling life.
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Grade level practices:Nursery: We focus on our perceptual motor programme once a week, which gives the students free play among all of the equipment set up to accommodate their ability levels. Nursery classes also have one swimming lesson per week. Please go to the PMP Programme page for more details.
Preschool 1 and 2: We have two PE classes a week. One period alternates between a free outdoor play period and a unit of inquiry period, while the other is a weekly progression of our perceptual motor programme. This is when we set up specific stations and begin to follow a rotation as opposed to free play. Preschool also has one swimming lesson per week. Kindergarten: We have two PE classes per week. The first class of every week is devoted to our perceptual motor programme. This step in the progression is a setup with three different stations each week in which students are responsible for rotating themselves. The other class is our unit of inquiry lesson. Kindergarten classes also have one swimming lesson per week. Grade 1 and 2: We have two PE classes a week devoted to our specific unit of inquiry. Both grade levels also have one swimming lesson per week. Grade 3: We have three PE classes a week devoted to our specific unit of inquiry. Rather than have one swimming lesson per week, grades 3-5 have a full swimming unit of 12-15 lessons focusing on specific swim stroke instruction and a lifesaving/water safety course. |