Health and Physical Education

Physical Education I

Course #: PH131   Grade: 9   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

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: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

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.

Fitness through Movement

Course #: PH134   Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Fitness through Movement is designed to give students the opportunity to learn low impact fitness concepts and conditioning techniques. This course touches on basic fundamentals of strengthening and aerobic training using a less intense approach. Examples of activities include body resistance training, brisk walking, yoga, and plyometric exercises. Through this course, students gain the experience necessary to analyze and track progress, meet challenges, and develop positive behaviors in movement activity for a lifetime. 

Text and materials: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

Expectations:  Students are expected to remain actively engaged throughout each class, show a sense of comprehension and execution in both skills and knowledge of the activities.   Written exams and skill assessments will be used to evaluate the standards. 

Group Activities

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

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Group Activities 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: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

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.

Recreational Activities

Course #: PH135   Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Physical Education I

Recreational Activities 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: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

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: 3

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: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

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: 3

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: No text required, study guides will be provided to students.

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: 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: No text required.                          

Expectations: Grades are based on individual improvement and achievements during the semester, participation, comprehension and effort being the most important factors. Students are expected to wear clothing they can move in (sweats, shorts, t-shirts, etc) - dance clothing is not expected.  Students will have to perform for fellow students and complete written peer reviews and self reflections.

Dance II

Course #:    Grades: 9-12   Credits: .5 (fulfills a fine arts or a PE credit)  Length: Semester   Expectation Level: 3

Prerequisite: Dance I or teacher approval

This class continues with the work done in Dance I, further improving dance technique, and exploring more creation of choreography adding in elements of partnering and production. Dance history and its relevance to today will be discussed. Dancers, athletes, gymnasts, cheerleaders, or any other movers may take this class after taking Dance I or with teacher approval. Performing is required. Course may be audited.

Text and materials: No text required.    

Expectations: Dance II grades are based on individual improvement and achievements during the semester; participation, comprehension and effort being the most important factors.  Students are expected to wear clothing they can move in (sweats, shorts, t-shirts, etc) - dance clothing is not expected.  Students will have to perform for fellow students and complete written peer reviews and self reflections.

Health/Physical Education/Recreation Assistant

Course #: PH431   Grade: 12   Credits: .5   Expectation Level: 3

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: 3

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.