PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS

Your child is enrolled in Physcial Education class. During their semester of study they will be exposed to a variety of activities that can be used to help maintain a healthy lifestyle. The units will introduce the basic skills involved in the various sports and recreational activities, from which the students can continue to participate and improve. The courses may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

The courses may include, but are not limited to, the following activities:

AEROBICS	BOCCE	DANCE	JUGGLING	VOLLEYBALL
ARCHERY	BUKA	GOLF	RACQUETBALL	WALKING
BADMINTON	CROQUET	HORSESHOES	TAE BO	WEIGHT TRAINING

Student’s grades in Physical Education will be divided into the following areas:

PARTICIPATION 40%

SKILLS 30%

TESTS/PROJECTS 30%

There will be a final semester exam that will equal 20% of the final grade.

If you are interested in learning about any of these topics, or if you have expertise in one of these areas and are willing to share with our class, please feel free to contact us.

We are available for student or parent support during preparation periods (which vary each semester) and after 2:35. The phone number is 893-3230, ext. 236 (Denise White) or ext. 246 (Mike Menard). 

PHYSICAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT RULES

All students will enter the gym area at the designated entrance doors across from the library. Students are expected to be on time for class. Unexcused tardiness will be dealt with following school policy – 3 unexcused tardies of less than 15 minutes will equal one unexcused absence, an unexcused tardy of 15 minutes or more will equal one unexcused absence. The school policy states that one letter grade is deducted for a student reaching their 4th, 7th, 10th, unexcused absence.

Students are expected to change from school clothes into appropriate gym wear for class activity and will have 5 minutes at the beginning of each class to do so. At the end of class they are expected to change back into their school clothes, they will be given 5 minutes to change back. Any student requesting additional time to shower (and we recommend this), will be given an additional 5 minutes. Students are expected to remain in the gym until the class is over according to the school schedule.

Following outdoor activity students are expected to clear off the dirt on their shoes, as well as possible, prior to entering the building. They are to return any equipment to the teacher or container designated by the teacher.

NO GUM CHEWING IS PERMITTED DURING PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES.

PROPER FOOTWEAR IS REQUIRED IN THE GYM AT ALL TIMES.

ALL SCHOOL RULES APPLY IN THE GYM.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION GRADING POLICY

All students in Physical Education classes are expected to change their clothes and have sneakers for classes. Students are not to wear the clothes they wore to school in Physical Education class. Gym wear should allow students a freedom of movement in all directions and be appropriate for active participation in a variety of activities including team sports, aerobics, weight training, etc.

This would mean changing into a loose fitting shirt, t-shirt, or sweatshirt; shorts, loose-fitting pants, or sweatpants; and always SNEAKERS. Sneakers are to have ample heel support, a good arch, functional closures, and good lateral (side-to-side) support. Many styles of “dress” type sneakers are on the market, but are not appropriate for Physical Education class. Casual shoes and boots are not acceptable. White socks are recommended.

Students in Physical Education will be graded in three areas: Participation, Skills, and Written Tests.

PARTICIPATION

It is the belief of the Physical Education department that PARTICIPATION is the most important aspect of our classes. Following that belief PARTICIPATION will be expected of every student every class. Students are to change into appropriate gym wear for full, daily participation credit. Those students who do not change from school clothes to gym clothes will be expected to take part in class activities, and will be given ½ (50%) participation credit for the day (clothing must meet above stated requirements). SNEAKERS ARE REQUIRED FOR EVERY CLASS, OR NO DAILY CREDIT WILL BE EARNED.

We assume that every student will participate fully every day, so every student will begin class with 100% for their participation grade. Any day a student chooses not to take part in the day’s activity that grade of 100 will have 5 points deducted. If students participate, but are not dressed in proper gym wear, they will lose ½ credit for that day, or 2.5 points. Students will also be graded on their full participation in activity, if they take part in only a portion of the day’s activity, their daily participation grade will reflect the percentage they took part. (An example would be: The class shoots 20 arrows each, the student who only shoots 15, would receive 75% credit for the day’s participation.)

Warm-up stretches are included each day to prepare a student’s muscles for vigorous participation and to avoid injuries. Students who do not join the class in warm-ups will not be given full daily participation credit.

WRITTEN TESTS / PROJECTS

Written tests are assessments of the students’ knowledge of the activity’s rules, terms, and game components. Some examples are: How do you score points in this game? How many points constitute a game? What is a quadricep? . . . a green? . . . a fletching? . . . a shuttle? Identify the fairway, rough, nock, serving, etc.

Projects will be used to allow students a more individualized investigation of the subject area. They may have to create a personalized weight workout, a walking program, aerobic routine, or dance.

SKILL GRADES

Skill grades will be assessed using one of the following three methods: Subjective grading, Goal Oriented grading, or the Plus or minus system. All students will begin with 50 points for trying.

Subjective Grading – Teacher observation

50% to 60% Unacceptable Student stands on field of play, but little or no activity is seen.

60% to 70% Poor Student is mostly inactive, but will occasionally move a step or two to get into the play.

70% to 80% Average Student is active in the game half the time, not actually playing a position. Shows few handling skills (rally, service, strategy).

80% to 90% Above average Student involved in the game, but may play as an individual instead of a partner. Showing success at handling skills.

90% to 100% Excellent Student appropriately involved in the game, playing

proper position, demonstrating teamwork, good sportsmanship, and consistent handling skills.

Goal Oriented Grading – A goal chart is established to calibrate the student’s progress based on the number of successes.

Juggling skills Balls Rings Clubs

exchanges	BALLS	RINGS		CLUBS
0	50%
3	60%	3	60%	3	60%
8	70%	5	70%	4	70%
13	80%	7	80%	5	80%
18	90%	9	90%	6	90%
23	100%	11	100%	7	100%

Plus or Minus System – The new skill is broken down into fundamental parts, each part graded as a plus (+), performed correctly, or minus (-), performed incorrectly.

Archery skills: Stance, Nocking, Draw, Anchor point, Release, Follow through.

Golf skills: Address, Start of the swing, Top of the swing, Downswing, Through the ball, Follow through.

The first plus is a grade of 60 (remember all skills are given 50 points for effort) and each additional plus is worth 8 points.

CLASS MAKE-UP

Students are expected to fully participate in each day's class activity. Participation grades will be based on the number of days in the course. Students participating in only a portion of the class (sitting out or not completing minimum activity expectations) will have their percentage of active participation recorded. Students choosing not to change from school clothes into gym clothes will lose 1/2 of their daily credit, but are still expected to participate in the day's activity as long as they have sneakers.

Students who miss any days due to absence, illness, or superintendent excuses are required to make up any work or activity missed. The following are possibilities for completing make-up work.

Make up any missed physical activity and/or work during a time that is mutually convenient for the student and teacher.

1. At home, or out of school, with an adult supervisor signature.

2. During a study hall, with the permission of the instructor whose class you are entering.

3. Come in after school and complete work/activity missed.

4. Work out an alternative plan with the instructor, such as referee, modified participation, rehabilitation work, or written/computer work.

It is assumed that students present at school are able to take part in all their classes. If a student’s parent requests they do not participate in Physical Education, the nurse will be asked to see the student. If the nurse requests the student be excused from participation, it will be with the understanding that class will be made up or it will count against the student’s participation grade.

The course is based upon completion of units of activity; all students are expected to participate in the same number of daily “practices” in order to become proficient or competent. For this reason, any class days that are missed and not made up, will have a negative effect on the student's participation grade.