Physical Education Curriculum

The K-8 Physical Education program at Prospect Sierra is built around the premise that all students benefit from experiences designed to develop their physical and emotional health. Our guiding philosophy is “Fitness for Life”. The core components of the curriculum are skill and concept-based games and activities, personal and social development, fitness, circus, rhythm and movement, and multi-cultural games. Developmentally appropriate physical education plays an important role in the lives of our students, balancing and complementing the academic curriculum. Activities are designed to provide students with a strong knowledge base and foster an appreciation of movement and exercise.

Elementary School

Students in kindergarten, first, and second grades have physical education classes twice a week, and classes are scheduled three times per week for third and fourth graders. This is an important time in a child’s physical development and also in the development of one’s attitudes toward exercise and physical activity. The elementary school program focuses on fundamental movement skills and fitness, as well as the social and personal development of each child. Activities are designed to provide students with a strong knowledge base and foster an appreciation of movement and exercise.

In Kindergarten students are encouraged to explore movement skills such as throwing, catching, kicking, and jumping rope. As they move through each grade, practice continues and students are challenged to use skills in partner activities and small-sided games. Developmentally appropriate physical education plays an important role in the lives of our students, balancing and complementing the academic curriculum.

Middle School

Physical Education classes are scheduled three times per week for all Middle School students. Classes emphasize personal development, cooperation, skill development, and the importance of life-long fitness. The curriculum addresses the student’s significant physical growth during their middle school years. Accepting and understanding the changes in their bodies is prioritized and augmented by the use of pedometers and heart-rate monitors.
Additional elective classes offer students opportunities to focus on alternative activities. Active elective choices have included Disc Golf, Golf, Indoor Rock Climbing, Juggling, Lacrosse, Orienteering, Paddle Tennis, and Yoga.
In addition to the Physical Education classes scheduled during the school day, boys and girls in the sixth, seventh and eighth grades are encouraged to participate in the interscholastic sports program. Emphasis continues to be placed on fitness, cooperation, and personal development. Students learn to expand their sports skills and to approach competition from an ethical foundation. Good sportsmanship and teamwork are emphasized.
The following is a listing of the interscholastic sports offered:

• Fall: Co-ed cross-country, co-ed flag football, girls' volleyball
• Winter: Boys' and girls' basketball
• Spring: Boys' and girls' track and field, co-ed Ultimate Frisbee

–Physical Education updated fall 2006