We Learn by Doing!!

Dear Parents:

Welcome! Come and visit the gymnasium and take a moment to view your child’s Physical Education Portfolio. Every child in grades 2-5 has a Physical Education Portfolio. The first graders start their portfolio during the winter months. This is a personal folder with a paper record of appropriate activities covered throughout the year. When your child “moves on” to the middle school they may take their Physical Education Portfolio with them.

The major goals serve of the Physical Education Program serve to help develop your child’s physical, emotional, intellectual and social skills through a variety of “learn by doing” activities. The National Standards of Physical Education as developed by the National Association for Sport and Physical Education are the basic guidelines for the program. Briefly, the physically educated person:

• HAS learned skills necessary to perform a variety of physical activities.
• IS physically fit.
• DOES participate regularly in physical activity.
• KNOWS the implications of and benefits from involvement in physical activities.
• VALUES physical activity and its contribution to a healthful lifestyle.

To the above end, the Kindergarten classes meet once a week for 30 minutes and Grades 1-5 meet twice a week for 30 minutes each. At all grade levels, the focus is geared toward maximum participation with an emphasis on the values of self-respect and respect for others, their efforts and their safety.

The Kindergarten year goes by very quickly. Emphasis is on a variety of experiences in the world of movement. Individual and dual (two player) sports and activities are more appropriate and effective than team sports at this age. Backyard play and small group "free play" time are encouraged.

The curriculum itself flows developmentally from Kindergarten through the Fifth Grade. Physical fitness, rhythmical activities, game concepts, and gymnastics are fundamental to both the primary and upper elementary grades. The emphasis at the primary level (K-2) is one of Movement Exploration and fundamental skill development. The concepts of safety, self-space and sharing space are continually reinforced. The transitional year of 3rd grade builds upon these basic uses of space and skill development in preparation for individual and team sport experiences emphasized in the 4th and 5th grades.

While all grades have fitness concepts introduced and reinforced, the actual President’s Challenge Physical Fitness tests are administered only to grades 3 through 5. A “Test Your Best” approach enables the child to set personal goals and improve their level of fitness by reaching for those goals. Pre-tests are held in the fall and final tests are given in the spring. All the children’s efforts and accomplishments are recognized and reinforced with the awarding of the Physical Fitness Badges, graciously donated by the Eames Way PTO.

The introduction and reinforcement of many positive life skills and experiences through physical education will truly benefit your child (ren). Towards this end, I would appreciate it if your child is properly prepared for each physical education class with his/her sneakers, hair tied back and comfortable clothes suitable for active play.

Sharon Reed-Eramian, Physical Education Teacher