Cougar Ridge Elementary

Health & Fitness Curriculum

Lisa J. Patton M.S. Physical Education/Sport Management

 Introduction to the Program

One of my primary goals as a physical educator is to teach every child- from the physically gifted to the physically challenged- how and why they should keep themselves healthy and fit throughout their lifetime. In our physical education program, we provide learning experiences which are developmentally appropriate that will teach children how to be physically active in ways that increase physical competence, self-esteem and joy through lifelong physical activity. Here's how we achieve that goal:

1. Our physical education curriculum includes a balance of skills, concepts, game activities, rhythms and dance experiences designed to enhance the cognitive, motor, affective and physical fitness development of every child.
2. We provide experiences that encourage children to question, integrate, analyze, communicate, apply cognitive concepts and gain a wide multicultural view of the world.
3. Throughout the year we teach activities that allow children the opportunity to work together to improve their emerging social and cooperation skills. These activities also help children develop a positive self-concept.
4. Ongoing fitness assessment is used as part of the ongoing process of helping children understand, enjoy, improve, and/or maintain their physical health and well being.
5. Children are taught exercises that keep the body in proper alignment, thereby allowing the muscles to lengthen without placing stress and strain on the surrounding joints, ligaments and tendons.
6. Grade decisions are based primarily on ongoing individual assessments of children as they participate in class activities and not on the basis of a single test score.
7. Finally, our class is designed so that ALL children are involved in activities that allow them to remain continuously active.

WA State Essential Learnings we cover

 EALR 1.0 The student acquires the knowledge and skills necessary to maintain an active life: Movement, physical fitness, and nutrition.

To meet this standard the student will:

1.1 Develop fundamental and complex movement skills, as developmentally appropriate

1.2 Safely participates in a variety of developmentally appropriate physical activities.

1.3 Understands the concepts of health-related physical fitness and develop and monitor progress on personal fitness goals.

1.4 Understand the relationship of nutrition and food nutrients to physical performance and body composition.

EALR 4.0 The student effectively analyzes health and safety information to develop health and fitness plans based on life goals.

            4.1 Analyze health and safety information.

4.2 Develop a health and fitness plan and monitoring system.

Sample of Activities

Components of Fitness- Cardio-respiratory endurance, muscle strength/endurance, flexibility, body composition.

tennis/racket sports                                        gymnastics

golf                                                                   basketball

volleyball                                                          climbing

dance                                                               lacrosse

track & field                                                     outdoor education

handball                                                            wrestling

yoga                                                                 soccer

circus arts-manipulative's, juggling                health-related fitness stations

Technology in Physical Education

As in other areas of life today technology skills are necessary to promote a healthy, active and fit lifestyle. To this end we will be using and exploring the following technology tools in our physical education classes;

●         Polar heart monitors (grades 3-5)

●         Digiwalker pedometers (grades 1-5)

●         digital cameras/video

●         digital fitness portfolios (grades 4-5)

Grading in Physical Education

Students at Cougar Ridge are encouraged to consistently assess and evaluate their progress on their personnel health and fitness goals. But...number scores and percentages don't mean much to an elementary aged child so in our classes we will be color-coding our scores on all assessments.

Cougar Ridge Bobcats strive for Good Green ( a healthy score), celebrate Awesome Orange scores and know that Please Practice Purple just means to work on it. The colors help us to learn about ourselves. What do I do well? What do I need to improve on?

The types of assessments used in class are varied and include; rubrics, checklists, self-tests, performances, cooperative projects, written tests/computerized tests, homework logs, portfolios/fitness books.

Each quarter your child receives an effort grade (K-5) and a concepts and skills grade (3-5) that is based on these varied assessments.

Students need to understand that although mastering physical skills obviously helps them achieve more success in activities and therefore helps them be more confident, people do not need to be highly skilled to enjoy the benefits of physical activity. Not everyone can or needs to perform at an elite level; when it comes to a person's health and well being, it is better to have played and lost than not to have played at all.

How to help your child be successful in Physical Education

●         Proper attire- On PE days (once per week) please help your child participate by having them wear tennis shoes (no cleats), socks and loose fitting comfortable clothing (sweats, shorts, Lycra etc).

●         School/home/community connection- Be a part of the team! Encourage your child to participate in all of the varied outside of school sports and activities that the Issaquah community has to offer. In addition I will be sending home monthly family fitness logs with activities that you can participate in together- Family Fitness can be FUN ! Check out my PE website for co-curricular after school offerings at Cougar Ridge and special events and programs. Also posted will be health and fitness websites of interest to students and families alike. Check back often.

I would like to invite you to come and visit our physical education class. I am excited to be here at Cougar Ridge after seventeen years in elementary physical education in the Yelm Community school district. I have lots of new and old activities planned for your child. By working together to encourage fitness, I am certain we will be able to help your children enjoy a lifetime of physical activity! I welcome your support.

Sincerely,

Lisa J. Patton

Physical Education Specialist

“Preventing couch potatoes while they are still small fries.