Physical Education & Health

St. Mary's Falcons Playing Flag Football

Our Physical Education curriculum is designed to provide an environment that challenges all students to work to their potential.

Students need the opportunity to learn skills without intimidation and to experience the joy and exhilaration of physical activity. This philosophy drives our program and it is our hope that all students learn to enjoy movement, become fit and value a positive living mindset.

Our program offers a mix of student-centered activities that encompass fitness exercises, social skills, physical skills and knowledge development. With our broad curriculum we address the whole student at this vital time of development. Social and personal responsibility skills are taught and encouraged throughout the years. Through our PE program we empower students to take responsibility for their own activity and fitness and create an environment where students experience maximum success, fun and a love for movement!

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Physical Education & Health Programs

Early Education

Preschool students enjoy active playtime throughout the day in the self-contained Preschool playground. Physical Education (P.E.) during early childhood is equated to “play” and is the building block of a child’s intellectual skills. Through physical activity and play, children develop social skills, problem-solving skills and also interpersonal skills. Play makes possible the maximum development of self and society by facilitating creativity, individuality and, social, physical and intellectual growth. Play encompasses experiences that provide enjoyment and emotional fulfillment that will ultimately lead to productive and contributing members of society.

Lower School

In Lower School, the P.E. program follows the California State framework and the IB Program standards. Students attend P.E. classes twice a week. The curriculum is centered around age-appropriate activities that help improve fundamental skills and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle.

Kindergarten P.E. emphasizes “How I Move in My Environment,” along with developing motor skills and patterns.
Grade 1 students work on moving through space and time as well as developing hand-eye coordination.
Grade 2 students continue movement through space with a partner and learn to respond with their entire body.
Grade 3 students focus on continuity and change of movement in the body, along with introduction to “Teaching Games for Understanding” methodology.
Grade 4 students work on manipulating objects in and through space, along with learning how to participate as a player on a team.
Grade 5 students work on manipulating objects with accuracy and speed, and developing positive sportsmanship in individual and group activities.

Middle School

Middle School P.E. centers around a personal, social, physical wellness program, designed to inspire students and to foster within them an appreciation for and understanding of healthy, active, life-long habits. The focus at each grade level of this course is to develop skills and understanding necessary to participate successfully in a variety of physical activities. In the process, students are encouraged to learn, practice, refine, adapt, think, and interact with others. This course consists of physical activity as well as classroom instruction on health topics.

Health

The health portion of Physical Education uses a student directed, inquiry based approach to cover all facets of the health triangle; emotional/mental, physical and social as all three promote an overall sense of wellness. As a result of the IB health program students will develop empowering skills such as decision making, goal setting, creative thinking and problem solving abilities; communication and social interaction skills; technological literacy; innovative learning and appreciation of total wellness. As a result of achieving these skills, our students will have the values necessary to positively participate and influence society and embrace healthy lifelong learning. Students explore topics listed below.

Health topics include:

Personal Health, Consumer, Community & Environmental Health
Mental & Emotional Health/ Dealing with Loss/ Conflict Resolution
Nutrition, Fitness & Healthy Living
Healthy Communication, Character Development
Injury Prevention/ Communicable & Chronic Disease
Individual Growth/ Development/ Body Awareness
Digital Citizenship/ Cyberbullying/ Violence and Conflict Resolution.

As a result of achieving these outcomes, our students embrace healthy lifelong learning.