Physical Education & Health

The 9th-grade physical education program will provide structured classes designed to enhance students’ interest in lifelong physical activity, built on the connection between fitness and academic success. We will strive to help students become and remain active throughout their lives. 

1. Students will meet national and state standards and benchmarks for physical education.

2. Students will set individual goals, assess their current fitness levels and progress, manage time and responsibilities effectively, and overcome barriers to regular physical activity.

3. Students will build confidence in their ability to lead active lifestyles and take control of their own health. Develop a plan to meet the minimum requirement for cardiovascular health: 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous exercise seven days a week as recommended by the Surgeon General.

4. Students will understand that regular exercise or activity helps prevent: heart disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and a host of other diseases. Regular exercise and physical activity will be emphasized as key components for maintaining a healthy body.

008A - 9th Grade PE - Team Sports: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9

Team Sports are designed for students who are competitive and enjoy being on a team. Basketball, volleyball, flag football, soccer, softball, floor hockey, and other activities will be the backbone of this course.

008B - 9th Grade PE – Adventure Education: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9

Adventure Education encompasses, but is not limited to, rock climbing, challenge courses, team-building exercises, cross-country skiing, archery, and slacklining. This course is for students who are inspired by team building and the challenges that occur within the context of adventure activities.

008C - 9th Grade PE – Individual & Dual Sports: 2 Terms / 2 Credits, Grade 9

Individual and Dual Sports are designed with the racquet in mind. Students will participate in various activities, including badminton, ping pong, tennis, pickleball, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, archery, backyard games, and ultimate Frisbee.

045 - Health Education: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grade 10

This course is designed to help students understand that the decisions they make can impact the quality and quantity of their lives, both now and in the future. Students will develop knowledge and healthy attitudes to make responsible, informed decisions that enhance individual, family, and community health. Units include Mental Health and Wellness, Chemical Health and Addiction Education, Nutrition, CPR, and Relationships and Reproductive Health and Wellness. Accessing valid and reliable resources, developing interpersonal communication skills, and promoting advocacy and health are all essential learning targets of the course.

013 – Trojan Power Strength Training: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

013A – Term 1 Grades 10-12

013B – Term 2 Grades 10-12

013C – Term 3 Grades 9-12

013D – Term 4 Grades 9-12

Prerequisite: 9th Grade Physical Education

Have you considered building your confidence, setting personal fitness goals, and achieving results? Perhaps you have thought of working out or lifting weights, but have been unsure about trying it on your own. Perhaps you are an aspiring athlete seeking to learn the fundamentals of sports performance, or perhaps you simply don’t have enough time in your schedule to apply the benefits of sports science to your training. Regardless of your current training level, let Trojan Power help you. In addition to training, we will help you with meal planning, sleep habits, mindfulness, and stress management. Students can now register by term, allowing them to choose when they prefer to take the course (subject to seat availability). Students will be grouped and progress through training programs according to their needs and development. This class may be repeated 6 times over the course of your time at WHS.

Student Testimonial:

• "I 100% recommend enrolling in Strength Training! You don’t need to be an athlete to make the most of this course. Weightlifting helped me improve not only my physical health but also my mental health. It was a great break during the school day, allowing students to focus on something other than academics. As someone who has only played competitive team sports, this course was a great introduction to training on my own and focusing on strength. It helped me gain a better understanding of proper strength and conditioning in order to be in the best possible shape for competitive sports and a healthy lifestyle."

017 - Team Sports: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Learning the value of being a good teammate is a critical skill that will enhance your possibilities for a long, rewarding life. Everyone involved in a successful organization is continually seeking individuals who can function effectively in a team setting. There is no better way to learn and practice these skills than by joining a class that focuses on them every day, engaging in fun-filled activities and sports. Come to P.E., join in the fun, and prepare for a lifetime of enjoyable, healthy activity, while learning skills that will crossover into every aspect of your life. Activities may include flag football, soccer, volleyball, broomball, basketball, softball, team handball, and floor hockey. Students need to be able to drive off-campus or arrange transportation.

019 - Yoga & Group Fitness: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Are you interested in reducing your daily stress, improving your self-image, establishing healthy habits, and elevating your personal confidence to new heights? Yoga and Group Fitness is a physical education class that helps unite your breath with your body through a variety of poses accessible to students of all levels.  Classes will include building core strength, improving balance, and increasing flexibility and range of motion. Calm your mind, feel alive, and be revived as you work on your breath and meditation practice. Intertwined with yoga will be exhilarating group fitness activities, including fitness dance, partner workouts, bodyweight conditioning, and weight training. Sign up, have some fun, and improve your life! 

Student Testimonials:

• "Yoga and Group Fitness benefited me so much, and I felt a change in my mood following the class each day. I would come into the class stressed and unmotivated, and would leave feeling rejuvenated and excited for the rest of my day." 

• "This class helped a lot with my mental health and made me feel more relaxed, especially when I had tests in other classes, or I was stressed for big presentations. Every class was followed by a designated meditation time where we were able to restore our bodies and calm down after a tiring day at school."

020 - Competitive Volleyball & Basketball: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

This course is designed for students who are interested in a competitive experience and desire to improve their individual skills and fundamentals. The essentials of volleyball and basketball rules and strategies will be highlighted. Students will be placed on teams and in competitive situations based on skill and knowledge of the game. Students must be ready to compete at a high level. A variety of exercise and conditioning activities will round out the class.

Student Testimonials:

• "Competitive Volleyball/Basketball is one of my favorite classes because I am a very competitive person, and this class really emphasizes competitiveness. I am also really into sports, and I play basketball, which is a big draw for me. However, the volleyball unit is actually my favorite, even though I play basketball. It is really fun to compete in volleyball because it gets intense, and it really brings out my competitive side, which is fun for me." 

• "Competitive Volleyball/Basketball is one of my favorite classes I've taken here at the high school. The competitions are fun and give a basic understanding of both sports. It's cool that you don't need to excel at either sport to have fun! I highly recommend this class!"

021 - Lifelong Activities*: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12

*Lifelong Activities can be taken one time only.

This unique community-based PE Elective class requires students to drive or arrange transportation, as most class activities take place off-campus. There is a $65.00 course fee to help cover the costs of our activities. The activities selected for this course are designed to cultivate a lifelong interest in physical activity. The course design will cultivate an appreciation for a healthy, social community outlet through sports and recreational activities. Units offered during Terms 1-4 will vary depending on the weather/season. Activities in the class may include the following: disc golf, Ninja Warrior, rec/yard games, golf, self-defense/martial arts, bowling, racket sports, rock climbing, cross-country skiing, downhill skiing & snowboarding, outdoor activities, team sports, broomball, and ice skating.

023 - Outdoor Pursuits: Fall/Spring: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 11-12

Looking for a fun way to get outdoors? Learn the skills and techniques for experiencing the outdoor wilderness of Minnesota and beyond. The units of the fall/spring section class include paddle boarding, canoeing, sailing, fire building, rock climbing, camp cooking, and camping. The fall/spring class will include an all-day field trip to Taylors Falls for rock climbing. Students will need to be able to drive off-campus or arrange transportation. This course has a $50 fee.

024 - Red Cross Lifeguarding & CPR: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

Prerequisites: Must be at least 15 years old by the last day of the course; swim 300 yards continuously; retrieve a 10 lb. object from a depth of 10 feet within a specified time limit.

Students will have the opportunity to gain certification as an American Red Cross lifeguard. Each student will know, understand, and demonstrate the personal characteristics of a lifeguard. Participants will demonstrate and apply the primary responsibilities of a professional lifeguard and become familiar with the surveillance techniques a lifeguard must use, as well as how these techniques can help prevent injuries. All students enrolled must pay the $50 administrative fee required by the American Red Cross. This PE elective class requires students to be able to drive off campus or arrange transportation, as the class will meet several days off campus at the West Middle School pool.

Instructional Methods: Students will practice all skills outlined in the American Red Cross program. 

Assessments: Demonstrate competency in each critical skill taught in the course without guidance: lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and first aid.  Correctly answer at least 80% of the questions on all written exams and water skills.

Student Testimonials:

• “Lifeguarding was hands down my favorite class last year. I was hesitant to take it at first, because I don’t swim competitively and I didn’t know anyone else in the class, but I’m so glad I did. It was so much fun going to the pool and swimming; our class also got really close. The biggest perk was leaving the class with a summer job that paid me $17 an hour to sit in the sun." 

• "Throughout the course, I learned essential leadership skills and teamwork strategies alongside my classmates, which helped in enriching my opportunities in the workforce. The class environment was full of energy and encouragement, and was always a class I looked forward to."

026 - Introduction to Coaching & Officiating:* 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10-12

          HYBRID COURSE

*Introduction to Coaching & Officiating can be taken one time only.

This course will prepare students with the necessary skills and knowledge to coach and officiate youth sports in our area. Through this course, students will explore various coaching models and leadership styles, sports psychology, game planning, practice planning, and resume building, while also learning the basics of officiating youth sports. This course is hybrid, allowing students to participate in the classroom and in the community to gain the necessary experience. Students will work with a coach in the area by shadowing them for 15 hours. Students will also observe officials.

043GE – Unified Physical Education Experience: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 10–12

See Unified section

044 - Stress Management: 1 Term / 1 Credit, Grades 9-12

Stress Management is a course designed to expose students to a holistic approach to stress management. This class focuses on developing coping skills and relaxation techniques designed to prevent or alleviate stress. The class will incorporate significant experiential learning and daily participation to foster success.

Student Testimonials:

• "Procrastination is something I have struggled with for a long time, and applying what we discussed in this class has been immensely helpful. This class has been a game-changer for me." 

• "A big thing I learned was to anticipate stress and to proactively work to help reduce the symptoms. I would always tell myself that it’s abnormal for me to feel so stressed or to have insomnia because of my overthinking, but to anticipate it, meditate, create a healthy sleep schedule/diet, and do deep breathing has really helped me." 

• "This class taught me how to manage my time a lot better, especially using the Pomodoro technique. I have also been more aware of when I have felt stress, and I have been better at using different strategies to deal with it."