Physical Education
The main goals of the physical education program are for students to develop and maintain a healthy level of fitness, to practice and master new skills, to develop and practice good sportsmanship, and most important to have fun. The teachers create a safe, positive learning environment so that all students can feel successful.
The Physical Education program at The Willows is designed to develop and strengthen students’ athletic skills while promoting self-confidence and sportsmanship. Four times a week, students participate in P.E. class, receiving a combination of whole group, small group, and individual instruction so as to best meet each individual's needs.
The Middle School’s physical education classes are separated by gender. This allows both boys and girls the space and freedom to take risks in class, to build confidence, and to participate in new activities in a supportive environment that is tailored to their specific developmental needs.
Throughout the year, students participate in activities that strengthen motor skills and foster team spirit. We emphasize the importance of personal health and encourage students to focus on lifetime activity skills. Our goal is for students to develop both skill and confidence - important tools that students need to remain physically active and healthy throughout their lives.
The Middle School Physical Education program reinforces skills learned in prior grades and incorporates refined development of specialized skills and sport instruction. Students practice correct techniques and learn the fundamental strategies of offense and defense. They participate in activities designed to improve hand-eye and foot-eye coordination. They also apply problem solving skills within a team environment, exploring conflict resolution techniques and cooperative activities.
Twice yearly, students participate in personal fitness assessments and compare their scores to health related standards. They test areas of muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, speed, and agility. Students evaluate their skills, monitor their progress, and set goals for future improvement.
- Middle school students also:
- Examine those activities that strengthen the heart muscle
- Perform activities which help them to understand how different muscles are required to perform a wide range of physical activities
- Use different conditioning exercises to improve the amount of force a muscle can exert
- Understand the function of the major muscles of the body through a stretching and conditioning program
- Have fun and develop fundamental skills in a variety of team and individual sports
