Physical Education - St. John's Preparatory School

Get Moving

PHYSICAL EDUCATION

The physical education curriculum provides multiple opportunities for students at various stages of physical development and skill mastery to have a positive experience in physical activities. Through participation in group and individual activities, students develop and improve locomotive skills, cardiovascular endurance, and strength. The curriculum is designed to provide students with accurate information about health, develop lifelong positive attitudes and behaviors, and make wise decisions to aid in their personal wellness.

Course of Study

Required Course | Elective | All High School PE courses are worth 0.25 credits. High School students must take 0.5 credits of PE total.

Grade 6	Grade 7	Grade 8	Grade 9	Grade 11
Physical Education	Physical Education	Physical Education	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi)	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi)
			Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (No Gi)	Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (No Gi)
			CrossFit 1
			CrossFit 2
			Intermediate Swimming	Intermediate Swimming
			Interscholastic Athletics / Drama Guild	Interscholastic Athletics / Drama Guild
			Judo	Judo
				Lifeguarding
				Living Well in College and Beyond
			Strength and Conditioning 1
				Strength and Conditioning 2
			Team Sports 1
				Team Sports 2
			Yoga	Yoga

Course Descriptions

Middle School Physical Education Courses

Grade 6

This course develops knowledge, skills and attitudes that are the main ingredients of lifetime health and fitness. Students learn skills that will enhance their enjoyment of activities geared toward an active, healthy life, including wall climbing, floor hockey, bocce, tennis, team handball, ultimate disc, a variety of recreational activities, and muscular strength and endurance training.

Students' awareness and understanding of age-appropriate health issues will be enhanced by discussion with teachers and guest speakers.

Grade 7

The seventh grade course continues to develop knowledge, skills and attitudes that are the main ingredients of lifetime health and fitness. Students learn skills that will enhance their enjoyment of activities geared toward an active, healthy life. Team/individual sports and recreational activities bring individuals and communities together through commonalities and connections between different cultures, highlighting the importance of social interactions in sports.

Activities include wall climbing, floor hockey, bocce, tennis, team handball, ultimate disc, a variety of recreational activities, and muscular strength and endurance training.

Students' awareness and understanding of age-appropriate health issues will be enhanced by discussion with teachers and guest speakers.

Grade 8

The eighth grade course has two main goals: 1.) to help the student to develop his mind and body through physical activities (team sports, functional fitness) and 2.) to help him appreciate the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.

In this course the student becomes aware of his own physical capabilities and those of his classmates; learns rules and strategies of games; develops an appreciation of cooperation, competition, and the social benefits of physical activity with his classmates.

Team sports, individual sports, and recreational activities serve as culturally relevant aspects of every society, every country, every part of our globe. In one way or another, everyone is involved in sports or some sort of physical activity, leading to economic advancement, personal wellness, or social cohesion. This course aims to expose students to games, activities, and physical tasks that reveal a human connection that brings us together.

Activities in this course include basketball, volleyball, softball, soccer, touch football, speedball, recreational activities, and introduction to weight training.

Health Education is incorporated in this course by means of several modules involving discussions and guest speakers. Here the student acquires a fundamental knowledge and appreciation of age appropriate health and safety-related issues, which include physical fitness, diet and nutrition, personal hygiene, first aid/CPR, and the dangerous effects of smoking, alcohol, and other substances, as well as HIV and other sexually transmissible infections.

High School Physical Education Courses

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (Gi)

This course will introduce students to one of the most popular forms of the grappling arts in the world today. Students will learn and practice positioning, escapes and submissions for both sport and self-defense. Student will wear a traditional gi (kimono). Students who are new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as those who may have some experience are encouraged to enroll.

[¼ credit]
Open to grades 9 and 11

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (No Gi)

This course will introduce students to one of the most popular forms of the grappling arts in the world today. Students will learn and practice positioning, escapes and submissions for both sport and self-defense. Student will wear shorts and a t-shirt as opposed to the traditional gi (kimono). Students who are new to Brazilian Jiu Jitsu as well as those who may have some experience are encouraged to enroll.

[¼ credit]
Open to grades 9 and 11

CrossFit I

This course will introduce students to the 10 general physical skills: cardiovascular/respiratory endurance, stamina, strength, flexibility, power, speed, coordination, agility, balance, and accuracy (CrossFit Journal, 2002). Students will learn and practice proper functional exercise techniques and engage in workouts of the day (WODs) as programmed by their instructor. The influence of nutrition on human performance will be discussed. No prior involvement with CrossFit is necessary to enroll in this course.

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 9

CrossFit II

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 9

Intermediate Swimming

Interscholastic Athletics / Drama Guild

Judo

This course will introduce students to the Olympic sport of judo. Students will learn and practice throws, break falls, ground positioning, escapes, and submissions for both sport and self-defense wearing the traditional gi (kimono). Students who are new to judo, as well as those who may have some experience, are encouraged to enroll.

[¼ credit]
Open to grades 9 and 11

Lifeguarding

In this course students will be introduced to and tested on American Red Cross Lifeguarding, CPR, AED, and First Aid techniques. The course is a blend of in water practice of rescue techniques, classroom discussion, and instructional videos. Throughout the semester students are introduced to all components of a lifeguarding course, practice techniques daily, and prepare to be tested on the material. To receive an American Red Cross certification in Lifeguarding, CPR/AED, and First aid, students must pass the in water exam and achieving an 80% or higher on written exams. The course grade will be dependent on attendance and participation.

Pre-Requisites:

Swim 300 yards continuously demonstrating breath control and rhythmic breathing. Candidates may swim using the front crawl, breaststroke or a combination of both but swimming on the back or side is not allowed. Swim goggles may be used.
Tread water for 2 minutes using only the legs. Candidates should place their hands under the armpits.
Complete a timed event within 1 minute, 40 seconds:
Starting in the water, swim 20 yards. The face may be in or out of the water. Swim goggles are not allowed.
Surface dive, feet-first or head-first, to a depth of 7 to 10 feet to retrieve a 10-pound object.
Return to the surface and swim 20 yards to return to the starting point with both hands holding the object and keeping the face at or near the surface so they are able to get a breath. Candidates should not swim the distance under water.
Exit the water without using a ladder or steps.

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 11

Living Well in College and Beyond

Strength and Conditioning I

This course will help develop students' knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity through their understanding of strength and conditioning. This class will engage and educate students to develop skills/strengths that will translate to improved performance and knowledge to promote good health and a lifetime of wellness.

This course addresses the principles of designing training programs of varying duration to improve muscular strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, stability, and hypertrophy. Emphasis will be placed on creating and administering evidence-based periodized training programs and ensuring safe and productive techniques of fundamental exercises in each modality.

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 9

Strength and Conditioning II

This course will help develop physically literate individuals with knowledge, skills, and confidence to enjoy a lifetime of healthful physical activity. This class will engage and educate students to develop skills/strengths that will translate to improved performance and knowledge to promote good health and a lifetime of wellness.

This course builds on the principles of designing training programs of varying duration to improve muscular strength, power, speed, agility, endurance, stability, and hypertrophy. Emphasis will continue to be placed on creating and administering evidence-based periodized training programs and ensuring safe and productive techniques of fundamental exercises in each modality.

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 11

Team Sports I

This course will allow students to learn and participate in several team sports by learning technical skills, rules, and movements related to sports. Sports may include basketball, soccer, tennis, flag football, and other new games. The class emphasizes sportsmanship, what it means to be a good teammate, effective communication, and leadership strategies will be introduced and emphasized, as well as introducing the mental skills component of team sports.

[¼ credit]
Open to grade 9

Team Sports II

Yoga

This course will introduce students to the practice of yoga. Students will learn and practice postures to enhance flexibility, strength and relaxation. Discussions about the general concept of wellness and the various dimensions of the whole person will be incorporated. This course is designed for those new to yoga as well as those who have practiced yoga before.