PEHW Curriculum
Newton Public Schools PEHW Overview:
The purpose of the Physical Education, Health and Wellness Department of the Newton Public Schools is to enhance the wellbeing of the school community by creating a culture that integrates and balances the six dimensions of wellness: social/environmental, physical, intellectual, career/occupational, emotional and spiritual. The department strives to encourage an active, healthy lifestyle, positive choices and student centeredness, which will provide each student with a diverse education in a safe supportive environment. It is the hope that this mission will help to promote self-responsibility, motivation and excellence in learning as well as life-long commitment to wellness.
Every grade starts out the year with the Project Adventure Unit, which focuses on community and relationship building through cooperative and challenging activities. All students learn and demonstrate cooperative skills such as communication, trust, leadership, responsibility, empathy, best effort, playing fair and playing safe. Activities are vertically aligned with grade levels and are developmentally appropriate. In the first couple of weeks, students also learn and practice the Responsive Classroom School/PEHW Rules: BE KIND, TRY YOUR BEST, and TAKE CARE OF YOURSELF, OTHERS and EQUIPMENT. These rules are re-visited throughout the year!
Grades K-2
Movement exploration, cooperative skills and motor skill development is the primary focus in grades K-2. Students will learn about movement concepts, including directions, levels, pathways, space, locomotor movements, non-locomotor movement, and manipulative skills. They will also play cooperative activities, which focus on taking turns, sharing and working together to achieve a goal.
Students will also learn the importance of living a healthy lifestyle by exercising, eating healthy foods and getting the right amount of sleep each night.
Students learn all skills through student centered activities, which include exploration, partner work, station work, and whole class lessons.
Grades 3-5
Skill development, fitness, and sport-related skills is the primary focus for Grades 3-5. Students learn and practice more manipulative skills such as kicking, throwing, catching, and striking. Some units focus more on sport-related skills in which students play small modified games in soccer, basketball and volleyball. Students learn the rules of games, offense/defense and strategies during game play. It's important for students to learn skills to help them play competitive games, so they know how to win and lose.
Students also learn about the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle on a daily basis through exercise, nutrition and wellness. During the fitness unit, they learn about the 5 components of fitness (cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition.
Students learn all skills through student centered activities, which include exploration, partner work, station work, and whole class lessons.