Health and Physical Education

Physical Education I

Course #: PH131 Grade: 9 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: None

Physical Education I is required for freshmen and must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in a physical education elective course. This course focuses on the five components of physical fitness, what it means to be physically fit, and how that can be achieved. Students assess their fitness level and learn how to maintain and/or improve this through lifelong participation. Students also engage in a variety of cooperative activities that deal with communication skills, trust, and problem-solving skills. They apply these skills in individual, dual, and team activities such as soccer, basketball, volleyball, tennis, and weight training.

Text and materials: Students will be given a folder and handouts; no texts required

Expectations: Students are expected to treat each other with respect and participate at a high level at every class. Effort and attitude are more important for a student's participation score than skill level. Tests are given for each unit. All students are required to have appropriate attire for each class.

Physical Education II

Course #: PH134 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Physical Education II is a one-semester course designed to improve cooperation, communication, and leadership skills. A variety of traditional activities such as basketball, soccer, volleyball, and tennis and/or badminton are taught. Students learn the proper biomechanics of a variety of movements. Evaluation includes written tests and projects on the kinesiology and biomechanics of certain skills or movements.

Text and materials: A folder and class handouts will be given to students; no text required

Expectations: Students are expected to treat each other with respect and participate at a high level at every class. Effort and attitude are more important for students' participation score than skill level. Tests are given for each unit. All students are required to bring appropriate attire to each class.

Physical Education III

Course #: PH135 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Physical Education III is a one-semester course designed to improve cooperation, communication, and leadership skills. A variety of less traditional activities such as badminton, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, softball, disc golf, and pickleball are taught. Students learn the proper biomechanics of a variety of movements. Evaluation includes written tests and projects on the kinesiology and biomechanics of certain skills or movements.

Text and materials: A folder and class handouts will be given to students; no text required

Expectations: Students are expected to treat each other with respect and participate at a high level every class. Effort and attitude are more important for students' participation score than skill level. Tests are given for each unit. All students are required to bring appropriate attire to each class.

Personal Fitness

Course #: PH132 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Personal Fitness emphasizes the principles of lifelong personal fitness. Students engage in activities to improve their cardiovascular endurance, strength, balance, agility, speed, flexibility, and core strength. Instructions include proper use of fitness equipment and proper form for a variety of exercises. Students learn the proper biomechanics of running as well as other movements. Evaluation includes knowledge testing, fitness testing, and projects on the kinesiology and biomechanics of certain movements.

Text and materials: Individualized portfolio; no texts required

Expectations: Students are expected to participate at a high level every class. Written tests, performance tests, and projects are given. All students are required to bring appropriate attire to each class.

Outdoors Activities*

Course #: PH133 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Outdoor Activities emphasizes lifelong participation in a variety of outdoor pursuits such as soccer, tennis, ultimate Frisbee, ice skating, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing. Students learn to appreciate the variety of activities that can be pursued in the Maine outdoors. They also learn the dangers of frostbite, hypothermia, heat stroke, dehydration, and heat exhaustion. This class is only offered in the fall semester.

Text and Materials: A folder and class handouts will be given to students; no texts required

Expectations: Students are expected to treat each other with respect and participate at a high level every class. They are required to bring appropriate attire to each class. Winter jacket, hat, gloves or mittens, and winter boots are necessary equipment. Students are given written tests.

*Offered fall semester only

Dance I

Course #: PH139 Grades: 9-12 Credits: .5 Length: Semester Expectation Level: 2-3

Prerequisite: None

For all active students looking for fine arts or physical education credit, or the most unusual class offered in high school, this course includes study of dance technique, choreography, and dance history. Dancers, athletes, gymnasts, cheerleaders, or any other movers may take this class regardless of previous experience. Performing is required. Course may be audited.

Text and materials: Notebook/journal for bi-weekly self-assessment; record of personal improvement during the semester

Expectations: Grades are based on individual improvement and achievements during the semester, participation, comprehension, and effort being the most important factors. Attendance, completion of assignments, and being prepared for movement (appropriate attire) are also taken into consideration. Final exam requires participation in a live performance, a written essay reflecting on progress and personal growth during the course, and a written test including questions on the areas studied.

Health/Physical Education/Recreation Assistant

Course #: PH431 Grade: 12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: Physical Education I, 1 PE elective, and teacher approval

The student assistant works with each teacher in all areas of instruction; examples include equipment distribution and set-up, visual demonstrations, instruction of skills and/or drills.

Expectations: Students must have appropriate attire for each class. They must be respectful, enthusiastic, focused, and willing to work with other students on a daily basis.

Health

Course #: HL231 Grades: 10-12 Credits: .5 Expectation Level: Unleveled

Prerequisite: None

Health education's goal is to create confident, capable, self-assessing, lifelong learners who understand how to apply health concepts and work independently, interdependently, and collaboratively. Students learn to understand health promotion and disease prevention concepts; to acquire valid information about health issues, services, and products; to reduce health risks through practicing healthy behavior; to understand how media techniques, cultural perspectives, technology, peers, and family influence behaviors that affect health; and to communicate skillfully and see how that can contribute to health, to setting personal goals, and to making decisions for better health. Areas of study include mental health and illness, risk behaviors, decision-making and goal-setting, self esteem, stress management, teen suicide prevention and intervention, nutrition, eating disorders, substance abuse, communication, refusal skills, family and peer relationships, dating violence, growth and development, sexual health, HIV/AIDS and STDs, pregnancy, childbirth, sexual assault prevention, and lifespan developmental health concerns.

Text and materials: Primary source research from nationally reputable data sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, World Health Organization, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, National Institute of Drug Abuse, and National Association of Mental Illness; guest speakers and teacher-created materials

Expectations: Students are expected to be prepared with all materials. Projects as well as formative and summative assessments are used.