GRADES 9-12 HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES
REQUIRED COURSES
Health/Swimming (Grade 9)
This required course provides students in ninth grade with classroom instruction dealing with a variety of current health-related issues. Topics will include physical fitness, body systems, wellness, HIV/AIDS, drugs/alcohol and tobacco, and American Red Cross Adult CPR and first aid training. The swimming section of the course includes dry land fitness activities, aquatic games, basic water and emergency safety, stroke advancement, and biatholon training. There are three options (beginner, intermediate, and advanced levels). A beginner is categorized as someone who cannot complete the minimum standards below, intermediate can complete the standards, and an advanced student completes them with ease.
Minimum standards for ninth grade students are the following:
- One length of the pool on back
- One length of the pool on stomach
- Treading water, 2 minutes
- Survival Float, 2 minutes
- Rhythmic Breathing
- Diving and swimming under the surface of the water, 15 feet
- Jumping off the diving board or equivalent height
Heath and Physical Education (Grade 10 or 11)
This required course provides students with classroom instruction on current and diverse topics such as fitness and nutrition, wellness and mental health, drugs and narcotics, health careers, disease control, consumer health, family relationships and human sexuality. The physical education portion of this course emphasizes skill development and the participation in a variety of individual and team sports.
A strong emphasis is placed on each student receiving a positive fitness experience, displaying good sportsmanship and cooperating with others in a large-group setting. The physical education curriculum includes the following individual and team activities that are taught in 2-week units each semester:
- Fitness Testing/Conditioning
- Soccer
- Basketball
- Flag Football
- Softball
- Lacrosse
- Badminton
- Circuit Training
- Games
- Floor Hockey
- Track & Field
- Volleyball
ELECTIVES
Adaptive Physical Education (Grades 9-12)
This course provides physical education for those students who, because of physical, psychological or other important reasons, are unable to participate in the regular physical education program. Each student will participate in an individualized program modified according to the recommendation of the student's physician. Necessary accommodations will be made within the framework of the regular physical education curriculum.
Body Works (.5 credit) (Grades 10-12)
This elective course is designed primarily for female students who want to enhance their strength, flexibility, endurance and overall fitness levels. The course will emphasize the five fitness components (flexibility, aerobic fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and body composition). Activities may include, but are not limited to: yoga, dance, tae-bo, self-defense, pilates, aerobics, strength training, spinning, water aerobics and cardio-kickboxing.
Exercise Physiology (Grades 10-12)
The focus of this elective course is to increase student knowledge and understanding of the human anatomy and the physiology of how the body responds to physical activity. Students will gain practical experience in development, administration and assessment of safe and effective strength training/conditioning programs. Classes will include classroom instruction, use of the weight room, track and gym. Students may take course-related field trips.
Lifeguard (Grades 10-12)
This elective course is a prerequisite for any student wishing to select the W.E.T. program as a junior or senior. This course offersstudents the opportunity to earn American Red Cross certification in First Aid, Professional Rescuer CPR/AED, and Lifeguarding. The course will provide the student with the knowledge of instructional techniques for teaching aquatic lessons. The course will cover aquatic fitness, personal fitness, water sports, water games, and activities outside of the pool. Each student will be required to purchase a textbook for approximately $37. When a student has successfully completed the course requirements, the student has the opportunity to purchase American Red Cross Certification cards for Lifeguard/First Aid and Professional Rescuers CPR/AED for approximately $20.
Net Games (.5 credit) (Grades 10-12)
The focus of this elective course is to allow students with an interest in various net games to participate, increase individual skills, and learn strategies and rules associated with each game. The course will accomplish these goals through a variety of games including volleyball, table tennis, tennis, pickle ball, and badminton. Instructors will emphasize learning opportunities for valuable life skills, such as cooperation, leadership and sportsmanship.
PE Plus (Grades 10-12)
This elective course consists of complex and specialized activities which will expend the mastery of personal development of individual skill, teamwork, and competitive game strategies. This high-energy course will challenge students through team sports from the United States and around the world, individual fitness programs/assessment, and weight training. Instructors will utilize a variety of team games to develop teamwork, competition, fair play and individual student goals.
Principles of Coaching (Grades 10-12)
This elective course provides interested students with the proper education and training to prepare for the responsibilities associated with being a coach. The course will explore the roles the coach and officials play in developing youth athletes. Major topics will include game rules, practice planning, practice implementation, game strategy, skill assessment, player discipline, and game management.
Safety/Driver Education (.5 credit) (Grades 10-12)
This elective course provides instruction in driving efficiency and safety. This course meets the 30 hours of classroom instruction required for the insurance discount. It does not, however, include the 6 required hours of outside driving that is needed for the discount. Course content includes the study of traffic laws, driving conditions, on-the-road courtesies, and personal safety which will be taught through adventure-based activities stressing physical and emotional safety. The adventure-based activities will take place in the gym or in the rock wall facility.
Sports Medicine (Grades 10-12)
This elective course explores the domains of athletic training, exercise physiology, and strength and conditioning. The content of the course will include anatomy, biomechanics, injury assessment, treatment and rehabilitation, plyometric training, speed and power development, and fitness assessments. This course is an excellent introduction for any student interested in pre-medicine, physical therapy, athletic training, or coaching.
W.E.T. (Water Education Training) (Grades 11-12)
This elective course permits skilled 11th and 12th grade students who are lifeguard certified to assist with water skills instruction for the W.E.T. program. A student taking this course will work with 4th grade students from the Colonial School District and assist in teaching them basic water safety, water games, and the Red Cross stroke advancement skills from the Pre-beginner level through the Advanced level. Students electing this course will be re-certified as a lifeguard, in first aid, and professional rescuers CPR.