The physical education and health department strives to educate students on how to be healthy and active throughout their lives. Positive health habits begin at a young age, and our focus is to equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to not only perform movement and activity but also to access community resources to achieve a healthy lifestyle. In addition to physical health benefits, students learn the importance of teamwork, discipline, self confidence and accountability. The physical education curriculum is designed to include foundational experiences in team and individual sports and fitness programming. In partnership with physical education, our health curriculum focuses on functional knowledge and skill development to provide students with a concrete basis for healthy living. Topics covered but not limited to include mental/emotional health, fitness, substance abuse, human sexuality, and interpersonal relationships. The physical education and health program follows the New York state learning standards for health and physical education which also includes the New York State Health Guidance Document. 

Grade: 8 
Curriculum Level:   Grade level
State Examination:   None
Frequency:  Every other day for 1 semester

DESCRIPTION

Building on their knowledge and skills from seventh grade health, students continue to learn how to be healthy, how to encourage others to be healthy and where to find appropriate health-enhancing information. Guided by the New York State standards, students learn knowledge related to wellness, alcohol and other drugs, mental/emotional health, conflict management and violence prevention, HIV/AIDS, human growth and development and other related topics. Within each unit, students apply health-enhancing skills, which consist of self, relationship and stress management, communication, planning and goal-setting, decision making and advocacy. Through this health literacy, students are able to make healthy lifestyle decisions. Health Education is a New York State graduation requirement for all students.  

Topics covered include, but are not limited to:

• Healthy Lifestyles and Wellness
• Goal Setting and Planning
• Stress Management
• Decision-Making and Peer Pressure
• Mental/Emotional Health
• Communication and Conflict Management
• Drugs and Alcohol
• Human Sexuality

TEXT and OTHER MATERIALS 

Teacher provided handouts and articles 

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to arrive at their Health class on time, come prepared and participate. Students will be graded on a combination of projects, in-class assignments, a portfolio and classroom participation. Students are expected to maintain and demonstrate proper classroom behavior and complete class assignments on time.

Required Course
Type of Examination:  Performance
Prerequisite:  None
Grade(s):  6-8
Credit:  ½ 

DESCRIPTION

The Physical Education Program for students in grades 6-8 consists of sequential, skill-building activities with a focus on cooperation, teamwork and sportsmanship. Students will participate in a wide variety of activities incorporating fundamental skills, team, and lifetime sport activities. Through the use of the Sport Education Model, students will incorporate skills learned in practice and game settings. The goal of the program is to develop an awareness and understanding of other students, cooperation, teamwork, lifetime health, wellness and fitness. Three years of physical education is a New York State graduation requirement. 

WORK EXPECTATIONS

Students are expected to arrive at their P.E. class on time, come prepared and participate. Proper class attire, which includes sneakers, t-shirt/sweatshirt, and shorts/sweatpants are required to participate. They are to demonstrate cooperation and sportsmanship. Each student is provided a locker at the gymnasium. All lockers should be securely fastened with a good lock.