PHYSICAL EDUCATION

PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSE SELECTIONS

The Porter-Gaud Physical Education program is designed to develop each student’s physical, emotional, and social growth . Physical Education in Upper School is focused on continuing to build on the knowledge and understanding of health-related physical fitness through exercise and organized game play. Students will learn through team games the importance of working together for a common goal, being great teammates and displaying great sportmanship. The curriculum strives to promote students' self-confidence by cultivating a positive environment through sports activities as well as building on their base knowledge of fitness that the students can carry with them throughout their lives. Course Offerings: PE / Health Fitness and Wellness Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation Healthy Life Skills Cardiorespiratory Fitness

Health & PE 9 | Fall/Spring Semester Course Health and PE 9 is a required course for all students that must be completed in the 9th grade. This is a gender specific course with the objective to help students develop a positive attitude towards health and fitness. The physical education activities will continue to build upon the physical, teamwork, and leadership skills introduced in the Middle School PE curriculum. Through team sports, an emphasis will be placed on active participation and sportsmanship. In the process, the students will develop physical skills, strength, and stamina; and an appreciation of the value of physical exercise and fitness as a lifestyle choice. In health education, students cover topics such as personal fitness, nutrition, alcohol and drug abuse, healthy interpersonal relationships, stress management, and some aspects of physical, mental, and social health for total wellness. Each student will also be taught First Aid and CPR through the American Heart Association program.

Eligible Grade Level: 9th | Prerequisite: none

Fitness and Wellness | Fall/Spring Semester Course Lifelong wellness and fitness are skills that must be learned and developed earlier in life. Wellness and Fitness is a course that will kickstart this lifestyle journey by introducing students to the basics of exercise, stress management techniques, and healthy nutrition habits. Students will learn the squat, push, pull and hinge movement patterns, along with other exercise variations, through individualized daily workouts. The stress management and the nutrition portions of the course will be group activity and discussion based.

Eligible Grade Level: 10th; 11th; 12th | Prerequisite: none

Yoga, Mindfulness & Meditation | Fall/Spring Semester Course This course is designed to build healthy physical and emotional habits while learning restorative techniques. Expect to learn yoga postures, encouraging a mindful connection back to the physical body to improve concentration and help balance emotions. Students will learn tools they can use to maintain focus, lower stress levels, increase flexibility, increase self-awareness and self-care.

Eligible Grade Level: 10th, 11th, 12th | Prerequisite: none

Healthy Life Skills | Fall/Spring Semester Course This course reviews current research and data on a variety of healthy life skill issues and strategies for improvement while students explore their physical and emotional well-being. Students will take personality assessments to learn about what makes them “tick” in all the areas of their lives. This class will offer flexible and varied activities to help develop students’ awareness and knowledge of healthy behaviors and habits such as organizational, project and time management.