Remember that sneakers are a MUST on P.E. days!

The Elementary Physical Education Program

Physical education instruction at the K-5 level is broken into six themes; locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, manipulative skills, movement concepts, body movement, and physical fitness. Each unit is covered in a 5-8 week session, with the students meeting two days per week. Kindergarten students receive two 30 minute classes per week, and grades 1-5 have two 50 minute classes per week.

Every theme is covered each year, reinforcing previously taught skills through challenging new activities. Students work to become proficient in the skills associated with each theme which allows them to apply learned skills in their middle school years. There is a strong emphasis on cooperative activities that eliminate a sense of competition, as well as on introducing creative movement. Creative movement incorporates the six themes and students work on their skills through exploration of body movement. Physical fitness testing is introduced as early as kindergarten and continues through high school.

Goals of the Physical Education Program

The goals of the South Orange and Maplewood Physical Education Program were developed based on the definition of a physically educated person and the New Jersey Core Curriculum Content Standards for Comprehensive Health and Physical Education, for Visual and Performing Arts, and the Cross-Content Workplace Readiness Standards.

The primary goal of the Physical Education Program is to develop in our students the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and confidence necessary for an active, productive, and healthy quality of life through physical activity and fitness.

There are many varied objectives given to justify and explain the need for physical education. For our use we concern ourselves primarily with a few. They will help you understand what we are trying to attain through the teaching of Physical Education in grades K through 5.

• First and foremost is the use of Physical Education for the training and development of big muscles. We are concerned with all students participating, so that they may strengthen and train those muscles which are so vital to growth, good health and posture.
• We are concerned with the development of various basic skills. We want the children to be able to stand, walk and run correctly and skillfully, to be able to throw, catch and kick many varied types and sizes of balls, to be able to control their own bodies gracefully and accurately in many ways and to enjoy good health. These skills are taught progressively. Children should realize that accomplishments vary and each child should try to achieve within the extent of their own abilities.
• We are concerned with good sportsmanship and the ability to work together. By good sportsmanship, we mean the ability to lose with the realization that one has done his/her best, of allowing and helping others to participate, of not being a “show-off”, of not attempting to run things regardless of others. In general, a good sport enjoys what they are doing, is willing to help others, does their best at all times and accepts the end result whatever it may be.
• The team game is usually introduced in the third grade when the children begin to feel an interest in playing as a team rather than as individuals. Team play, in its true sense, is the highest form of organized play. Its value lies in the cooperation of the players working together toward a common end. Physical Education offers a great deal in developing this trait.

• Recognize, develop, and maintain appropriate levels of physical fitness;
• Perform a variety of general movement patterns and specific motor skills in a developmental sequence;
• Interpret and apply the information and skills learned to a wide range of physical activities;
• Describe the roles of physical education, recreation, and sports in our culture and other culture; and
• Behave in a way that promotes harmonious social interaction, as well as teamwork, and a feeling of respect for one’s self and others.

Thanks for your continued support of the physical education program. Read below for our seasonal curriculum. Feel free to contact us with any questions.
Jeff Kaesshaeffer
Rich Tait
Corrine Cecala
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Fall Units of Activity – Grades 2—5

Fitness Testing Unit
- The Superstars will take The President’s Challenge twice during the school year (Fall and Spring). Testing will assess flexibility, upper body strength, agility, abdominal strength, and heart/lung endurance. The culmination of our fitness testing is always the endurance run for students in grades 3 though 5. Second grade students are not required to partake in fitness testing.

Locomotor Skills Unit
- The student will perform and practice skills such as running, hopping, galloping, skipping, and jumping. These skills will be used in various games and activities throughout the school year to prepare our students for assessment. Locomotor skills will be assessed at every grade level for each progress report.

Soccer Skills Unit
- Eye/Foot coordination is the main focus of this skills unit. Foot dribble, passing, trapping, kicking, and punting will be taught and emphasized through games and lead-up activities. Soccer throws, goal tending, and heading will also be addressed during this unit.

Football Skills Unit
- Eye/Hand and Eye/Foot coordination will be introduced and reviewed during this skills unit. Overhand throwing, catching, punting, and kicking will be taught by using age appropriate equipment throughout this unit. Lead-up activities and games will be incorporated in this unit to reinforce skills being taught. The South Mountain Superbowl will conclude this unit emphasizing the importance of teamwork.

Winter Units of Activity Grades 2—5

Floor Hockey/Pillo Polo Skills Unit
- Age appropriate equipment will be used to introduce hockey skills to students. Passing, shooting on goal, and stick handling will be the focus of this eye/hand coordination unit. Students will experience several different type of hockey lead-up activities and games while they learn to use a long handled implement.

Volleyball Skills Unit
- Students will prepare themselves for a day at the beach by learning all necessary volleyball skills. Eye/hand coordination will be tested through set passes, bump passes, and underhand serving. Games and lead-up activities will give students an ample chance to learn skills and game strategies. Beach balls and large volleyball trainers will insure a safe and appropriate learning experience.

Basketball Skills Unit
- The stakes are high during this winter skills unit. Students will learn proper form for shooting, passing, and dribbling as part of their basketball experience. Eye/hand coordination and skills will be tested through lead-up activities and game situations. The South Mountain Minute Basketball Tournament will conclude this unit with an over abundance of excitement and school spirit.

Fitness/Tumbling Skills Unit
- Get ready to shape up those muscles! Students will have the opportunity to use elementary age fitness equipment to learn about and improve overall fitness levels. A fitness circuit will put our Superstars to the test. Tumbling skills such as rolling, balancing, and cartwheels will be taught during this late winter unit. The rope climb will provide an exciting final challenge for all our students. Can you make it to the top?

Spring Units of Activity Grades 2—5

Creative and Rhythmic Movement Skills Unit
- The students will put their bodies into rhythmic motion as they discover moving to music. Rhythmic games and activities will be the focus of this unit.

Track and Field Skills Unit
- School Spirit Day is looming and this unit will prepare our Superstars for the big day. Grade level relay races and field activities will be introduced and reviewed to insure that all our students are prepared for School Spirit Day. School Spirit Day will be the culmination to our track and field experience.

Lacrosse Skills Unit
- This unit is only offered to our 3rd-5th grade students due to the difficult nature of the activity. Eye/hand coordination will be the focus during this introduction to lacrosse. Throwing, catching, and stick skills will be taught by using age appropriate lacrosse sticks.

Base Running Skills Unit
- This eye/hand coordination unit will concentrate on the basics of all base running games. Throwing, catching, batting, and base running concepts will be taught and incorporated through several different base running games. Age appropriate equipment is used during this unit to provide a safe learning environment.

Frisbee Skills Unit
- Summer is almost here and the frisbees are flying at South Mountain School. Students will spend time working on personal eye/hand coordination levels during this throwing and catching unit. Frisbee lead-up games and activities will give students a chance to master their skills.

Fitness Testing Unit
- The Superstars will take The President’s Challenge twice during the school year (Fall and Spring). Testing will assess flexibility, upper body strength, agility, abdominal strength, and heart/lung endurance. The culmination of our fitness testing is always the endurance run for students in grades 3 though 5. Second grade students are not required to partake in fitness testing.

Locomotor Skills Unit
- The student will perform and practice skills such as running, hopping, galloping, skipping, and jumping. These skills will be used in various games and activities throughout the school year to prepare our students for assessment. Locomotor skills will be assessed at every grade level for each progress report.