Physical Education

GRADE SIX

This course provides students the opportunity to learn through a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sequentially planned physical education program aligned with the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools. In 6th grade, the content standards emphasize working cooperatively to achieve a common goal. The focus of this course is the development of movement skill combinations and movement skill knowledge; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance, and the requisite knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles and strategies; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. Units of activity include: physical fitness (activities and assessment, concepts, development and maintenance); cooperative activities; throwing and catching skills and lead-up games (team handball and/or flag football); volleying skills and lead-up games (volley tennis and/or small-sided volleyball games); racket skills and lead-up games (paddle tennis, pickle ball, or tennis); dribbling skills (hand dribble and foot dribble) and lead-up games (3-on-3 basketball and small-sided soccer games); folk and line dance; stunts and tumbling.

GRADE SEVEN

This course provides students the continuing opportunity to learn through a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sequentially planned physical education program aligned with the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools. In 7th grade, the content standards emphasize meeting challenges and making decisions. The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knowledge to individual and dual physical activities; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance, and the requisite knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles and strategies; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. Units of activity include: physical fitness (activities and assessment, concepts, development and maintenance); cooperative activities (including introductory adventure/outdoor activities, such as orienteering); mature pattern throwing and catching skills (including flying disc skills) applied during small-sided games (team handball/Ultimate Frisbee/softball); track and field skills (including long jump, shot put, high jump, sprints, and relays); golf (with golf ball-size whiffle balls) skills or disc-golf skills applied in golf or disc-golf lead-up games; volleying skills applied in small-sided games (2-on-2 or 3-on-3 volleyball); racket skills applied in leadup games (paddle tennis/pickle ball/tennis); dribbling skills (hand dribble and foot dribble) applied in small-sided lead-up games (no larger than 4 on 4); multicultural dance; and introductory self-defense. 

GRADE EIGHT

This course provides students the continuing opportunity to learn through a developmentally appropriate, comprehensive sequentially planned physical education program aligned with the Physical Education Model Content Standards for California Public Schools. In 8th grade, the content standards emphasize working as a team to solve problems. The focus of this course is the application of movement skills and knowledge (including defensive and offensive strategies) to team physical activities, gymnastics/tumbling, and square dance; the assessment and maintenance of physical fitness to improve health and performance; the requisite knowledge of physical fitness concepts, principles and strategies to improve health and performance; and the application of psychological and sociological concepts, including self-responsibility, positive social interaction, and group dynamics, in the learning and performance of physical activity. Units of activity include: physical fitness (activities, assessment, concepts, development and maintenance); cooperative activities; movement skills and strategies applied in modified games of: flag football; soccer or lacrosse; volleyball; basketball or floor hockey; soccer; softball; team handball/ultimate Frisbee; square dance; stunts and tumbling.