Physical Education in Lower School

The Shipley Lower School physical education program is designed to develop healthy, responsible, physical fit children who find success, enjoyment and develop a positive self-image through physical activities. A healthy attitude towards competition, sportsmanship, collaboration, self-discipline, and leadership are integrated into the curriculum as children develop competence in various sports, dance, recreational, and physical fitness activities. Knowledge of the relationship between proper nutrition and a consistent fitness regimen, and SEED (social, emotional, and ethical development) educational themes are similarly interwoven into the program. The physical education program utilizes three spaces on the Lower School Campus. The small gym is solely dedicated to ABC Fitness, an advanced research based program focusing on agility, balance and coordination. The turf field and large gym are used for developing team sports skills including ball and stick handling. During the course of the semester beginning in first grade, classes rotate through all three spaces.

 

The Pre-K through second grade physical education curriculum focuses on helping children develop basic locomotion skills, body control and spatial awareness, agility, and coordination in a safe, fun and challenging environment. Also emphasized are basic manipulative skills including throwing, catching, bouncing and dribbling using both hands and feet. As children move into first and second grade, the program shifts from independent practice in which children interact with the environment and equipment, to cooperative activities and games where children explore movement patterns with a partner. Movement patterns include learning to move in different directions at varying speeds utilizing improved hand and eye, foot and eye, and perceptual/motor coordination. Throughout the curriculum, emphasis is placed on learning skills correctly through continuous repetition. All activities are designed to promote cooperation, creativity, innovation, critical thinking, and problem solving in the context of class challenges.

 

The third through fifth grade curriculum continues to help children develop foundational motor skills, spatial awareness and hand-eye coordination. As reaction times increases, children practice sequencing movement skills and creating patterns that demonstrate continuity and change. Techniques and qualities of accuracy and speed moves beyond simple object manipulation (throwing and kicking balls) are emphasized. Team and group activities, as well as sports and sport-related activities are incorporated into the curriculum involving peer acceptance, sportsmanship, independence, and recognition. During the fitness component of the curriculum, children are evaluated and tested to measure the level of their fitness and skills compared to other students their age. They learn how to use pedometers and discuss why movement is an important part of physical fitness.