Physical Education

Understanding Physical Education:

Understanding the difference between physical education and physical activity is critically important to understanding why both contribute to the development of healthy, active children.  Physical education, the foundation of a comprehensive school physical activity program, offers the best opportunity to provide physical activity to all children and to teach them the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle.  Physical education teachers assess student knowledge, motor and social skills, and provide instruction in a safe, supportive environment.Physical activity is bodily movement of any type and may include recreational, fitness and sport activities such as jumping rope, playing soccer, lifting weights, as well as daily activities such as walking to the store, taking the stairs or raking the leaves.  The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends school-age children accumulate at least 60 minutes and up to several hours of physical activity per day and avoid prolonged periods of inactivity. By participating in physical education class and doing physical activity, your children will reduce their risk for being overweight, assist in improved academic performance and helps them feel better about themselves. We hope your family will join us in the efforts to promote an active and healthy lifestyle!Abingdon PE Goals:

1. Psychomotor (Physical) Objectives: To have students participate in skill appropriate games that benefit the students physically (cardiovascular, muscle strength, weight control, and flexibility). This goal will be obtained through new games, field games, cooperative games, stations, team sports, and physical fitness testing. The overall goal by the end of the year is to improve the students overall well being through the use of psychomotor activities.
2. Cognitive (Mental) Objectives: Students will recognize the benefits and significance of making healthy decisions to improve the quality of their personal and family life. This goal will be achieved through student’s use of interpersonal skills among classmates, goal-setting techniques, team building exercises, informal tests (question and answer), and formal tests (written).3. Affective (Social) Objectives: Students will demonstrate effective ways to work as a team or group when engaged in activity though cooperation and team work. Winning and losing will not be stressed, however, students must learn to win and lose graciously. In addition, it will be encouraged for both the student and the teachers to learn something new each week about a classmate in order to help lay a foundation for building successful meaningful relationships throughout the school year.