|
Required
Courses
Physical Education I (1/2
unit each year)
In the ninth grade, Physical
Education focuses on the development of generalized fitness
plans and strategies for achieving aerobic endurance. Cardiovascular
fitness, increased upper body strength and proper diet are
at the core of the Physical Education I curriculum. Students
work with partners or small groups to research fitness components
and present their findings to the class. Each student is involved
in a generalized fitness program, which includes setting short
and long term goals, daily fitness activities, discussion
of eating habits, and fitness progression and maintenance.
Students in this course participate in a wide variety of lifetime
activities, team building experiences, and fitness development
opportunities.
• Emphasis on physical fitness and
lifetime sports that promote healthy lifestyles
• Fitness foundations
• CPR/Heart Saver Certification
• Off campus resources (ex. swimming, tennis, racquetball,
biking, guest presenters)
• Aerobics and strength training
• Wellness and stress management
Physical Education II (1/2
unit each year)
Physical Education curriculum in the sophomore
year is built on the philosophy that all students will
need to be physically active for general health and stress
management throughout their lives. Aerobic exercise strategies
and the development of safe, personalized fitness plans are
a component of the course. A "Fit for Life" unit focuses on
fitness, wellness, stress management, and nutrition. Students
learn to use heart rate monitors and receive introductory
knowledge on interpreting and using heart rate data. When
the opportunity arises, off-campus community resources are
used to further introduce students to options for a lifelong
active, healthy lifestyle. The 10th grade Physical Education
curriculum may include, but is not limited to the following
activities: indoor rock climbing, racquetball, yoga, CPR certification,
tennis, skating and swimming.
• Emphasis on physical fitness and
lifetime sports that promote healthy lifestyles
• CPR/Heart Saver Certification
• Off campus resources (ex. swimming, tennis, racquetball,
biking, guest presenters)
• Strength training
• Fit For Life II
• Intermediate/advanced application of heart rate
monitoring
Elective
Courses
Strength Training
(1/4 unit of credit for each quarter
taken)
This elective course will be offered to 11th
and 12th grade students on a quarterly basis. Students
will have the option to sign up for one, two, three, or four
quarters at their discretion. Students enrolled in this class
will have the opportunity to participate in a course designed
to offer personalized and specialized programs in muscular
strength and endurance. Safety and developmentally appropriate
programs that are individualized will be the emphasis of this
course. Strength training will accommodate students with a
focus on personalized programs as well as athletes interested
in sport specific off-season training. Under the guidance
and direction of the teacher students will identify areas
of strength as well as areas needing growth and development.
Baseline data will be used to design individualized programs.
The course will utilize the Lannert Center and on-campus
fields. The LCS weight training equipment provides for
development of the upper body, lower body and cardiovascular
endurance. Upon completion of the course, students will have
the skills needed to incorporate these components into an
active, healthy lifestyle. A physical exam is required if
a student has not had one for athletics. This course does
not count toward the minimum 5 academic courses a student
must carry each semester.
Upper School Life Skills Classes
Upper school life skills classes are intended to prepare older
adolescents for college and adulthood, helping them to consider
their personal responsibility for their own well-being. The
course explores the important decisions facing adolescents
in terms of ethics, peer pressure, parents, individual goals,
and society's expectations. These classes meet once a week.
At all levels, role-playing, discussions, stories, videos
and community speakers are used to present the material in
an interesting and multi-sensory manner.
The specific
focus of this class varies with each grade level.
Self and Society: Ninth
grade students learn, experience and apply skills
that will help them be successful in upper school and beyond.
A major focus of this class is on community service. Freshmen
identify community needs and design their own service projects
to implement during the four day Interim in May. Other topics
include: "How the Brain Learns," "Seven Habits of Highly
Effective Students," and "Personality Types According to
the Myers-Briggs Indicator."
Respect and Relationships: Tenth
grade students develop skills to foster healthy
interpersonal relationships. Other topics at this level
include Respecting Differences, Driving Responsibilities,
Addictions, Eating Disorders, Sexual Responsibilities, STI's
and AIDS.
Dynamic Leadership: Eleventh
grade students focus on Career Awareness. Students
take the Strong Interest Inventory (a career interest assessment
tool,) and then identify, research and interview the career
professional of their choice. This process helps to prepare
students for participation in Career Exploration Workshop
to be held in the spring of 2005. Students are also encouraged
to "shadow" a career professional outside of class. The
College Counselor is an occasional visitor to the classes
to discuss choosing and interviewing for colleges. Topics
such as Resume Building, Job Interviews, Drunk Driving,
Stress Management, Depression, Loss and Suicide, will also
be covered in this class.
Senior Symposium: (note: 1 unit of credit) Senior
Symposium consists of four components, all of
which continue the focus on leadership.
First, seniors participate in a life skills class
designed to allow them to assume a leadership role in the
upper school and prepare them for the social and emotional
aspects of successfully transitioning to college life. A
unit on leaving home and preparing for college includes
topics such as Greek life, dealing with dorm-mates, "on
campus" student resources, money management, and saying
goodbye to friends and family. The college counselor is
a frequent visitor to these classes, coaching seniors with
the college application process.
Next, students are expected to engage in one period
per week of Senior Service. The purpose of this project
is to:
- help students develop a sense of responsibility and
commitment,
- enhance the relationship between US students and other
members of the school community, and
- help students develop a greater appreciation and understanding
of all facets of school life and operation.
Thirdly, students are involved in designing a "Capstone
Project" which they will implement during the last two weeks
of class time in May. This project is intended to give each
student an opportunity to engage in a field of study for
which they have a passion and might include shadowing a
community professional, working with a local university
or community service.
Lastly, each senior is expected
to write and deliver a "senior speech" for the student body
and faculty. Students work closely with the head of upper
school on composing and refining these speeches.
Sportsmanship, character education,
physical fitness, and active, healthy life-styles are emphasized
throughout the physical education curriculum
|
