Phy. Ed. class saved me in school as it was a time during the day where I could just open up and get moving, which in turn helped me return to class, physically spent, and ready to learn. Mr. Frye, and countless other physical education teachers and coaches, helped make physical fitness an integral part of my life then, and now into adulthood. "Children desperately need to learn the importance of physical fitness, how to achieve it, and how to maintain it. Well taught physical education keeps students moving and motivated, building their competence and confidence so that they can stay fit over a lifetime" (USA Today, December, 2018). We are very fortunate here at Stone Bank school to have two extremely talented and dedicated physical education teachers, Mrs. Jody Vance and Mr. Dan Green. Mrs. Vance and Mr. Green encourage, educate and coach our learners in the importance of choosing physically active lifestyles, from very early on.
According to the Center for Disease Control, students who are physically active tend to have better grades, better school attendance, improved cognitive performance like memory and concentration, and exhibit more on-task behaviors in learning environments. Mrs. Vance and Mr. Green use the six standards for Physical Education set forth by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
Click here for the WI Physical Education Standards.
Click here to see what Physical Education at Stone Bank School is all about.
Mrs. Vance and Mr. Green want students to understand how important it is to be active every day and to make physical activity a priority for both personal health and personal enjoyment. An analysis of 19 studies involving 586 kids, teens, and young adults was published recently in the British Journal of Sports Medicine. "This analysis found that short 10-to 40- minute bursts of exercise led to an immediate boost in concentration and mental focus, likely by improving the blood flow to the brain" (The Boston Globe, March 2013). This year students will once again be encouraged to challenge themselves, along with their families, to make physical activity a priority at home during their free time in the long, cold, winter months. A fun "winter workout" incentive will be offered to students starting in January. Watch for details coming home with students after break.
Middle School students recently had an opportunity in class to collaborate with classmates to explore strategies, concepts and elements that go into creating an active game. They were innovative and creative in coming up with original target games that had some unique rules and used a variety of equipment and tactics. Not only were students physically active during this unit, they were also practicing important life skills they will continue to use throughout their lives like collaboration, problem solving, time management, creativity and critical thinking. See the video here!
New research by the Physical Activity Council of 40,000 Americans shows children who do not have physical education are more than twice as likely to be completely sedentary outside of school. Furthermore, children who have physical education are two to three times more likely to play sports and be active outside of school than children without physical education. At Stone Bank School, we strive to educate the whole child, therefore making physical activity a priority every day, whether at recess or in Phy. Ed. class, and we encourage you all to make physical education a priority in your lives as well!
Now get out there and get moving! Your mind, body, and spirit will thank you!
"Physical fitness is not only one of the keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."
~John F. Kennedy
Thank you so much for writing about an aspect of the school curriculum about which we don't often hear as much but that is so important to our kids' health and wellness :)
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