Physical Education

Pre-Kindergarten students have physical education three days per week for 30 minutes. Children explore a variety of play and sports equipment through guided discovery. Areas of exploration include locomotor skills, ball handling, space awareness, educational gymnastics, and movement to rhythms & music. Obstacle course challenges and low organized games also contribute to a pre kindergarten students’ wide variety of movement experiences.

The focus of physical education in Kindergarten is to provide experiences so children can learn to share, take turns, and work cooperatively with classmates. The students are exposed to a variety of activities including movement concepts (space awareness, effort and force, and relationships), skill themes (locomotor and manipulative), gymnastics, dance, cooperative games, creative movement, and fitness. An environment is created so that children feel comfortable participating and exploring. A high value is placed on respect, honesty, and fair play. Kindergarten students meet for physical education five days per week for 30 minutes.

The focus of Grade 3 Physical Education is to provide experiences for children to work cooperatively with classmates and develop an appreciation for being physically active. Grade 3 students are involved in movement challenges, practice of perceptual-motor skills, and fitness development. Students also begin to experience seasonal sports through simple lead-up activities. The activities are designed to promote the understanding of game rules, the application of basic skills, and the value of teamwork. An environment is created so that children feel comfortable participating and exploring. A high value is placed on respect, honesty, and fair play. Grade 3 students meet for physical education four days per week for 45 minutes.

Grade 4 Physical Education provides experiences for children so they can learn to work cooperatively with classmates and develop an appreciation for being physically active. Grade 4 students are involved in units including movement challenges, fitness development, and seasonal sports. Team games and group problem solving tasks give the students opportunities to enhance leadership qualities and to build their understanding of basic game rules and concepts. An environment is created so that the children feel comfortable and accepted through and atmosphere of respect, honesty, and fair play. Grade 4 students meet for physical education four days per week for 45 minutes.

Grade 5 Physical Education provides experiences for children to work cooperatively with classmates and develop an appreciation for being physically active. The fifth grade physical education program acts as a natural progression into the Upper School sports program. Students are involved in seasonal sport units. These experiences give the students opportunities to enhance leadership qualities, teamwork, and the understanding of basic game rules and strategies. Additional opportunities exist for students to continue their physical development through activities such as fitness challenges, gymnastics, track & field, and dance. During the winter season, Grade 5 students spend one period per week skating at the Pingree Ice rink. Grade 5 students meet for physical education four days per week for one hour.

An adventure approach to physical education, Project Adventure is characterized by activities that are challenging and fun. Each new class brings challenges that can be successfully solved through group collaboration and individual initiative. The major goals of Project Adventure are: trust, communication, teamwork, leadership and cooperation. A highlight of the course is the opportunity to utilize Shore's Ropes Course and Indoor Climbing Wall.

“Being at the top of the rope was thrilling, as well as a little scary. But I look back on it and I am really glad I did it.”