The major goal of the East Woods Physical Education Program is to promote a lifelong healthy and physically active lifestyle. Students will learn that skill development is based on a progression that requires practice, effort and perseverance and understand the physical, emotional and social benefits of movement and play. The program aims:

• to foster in children a love of physical activity and play
   
• to instill a need for physical fitness in each child
   
• to develop coordination, grace and control
   
• to provide opportunities for increased responsibility in planning, organization and leadership
   
• to give each child as wide range of skills, and expose them to a variety of games and dance experiences
   
• to present opportunities for children to belong to a group in which each child is accepted
   
• to provide experiences which will develop initiative, self-reliance, self loyalty, honesty, kindness to others and a love of learning
   
• to develop a sense of fair play and cooperation in children and the ability
   
• to work in groups leading to increased cultural understanding
   
• to provide a learning environment that is modified, when necessary, to allow for maximum participation of all students as they develop at their own rate
   
• to help students understand that physical activity provides the opportunity for enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and communication
   
• to provide opportunities for integration of physical education with other subject areas

Curriculum

Motor/Movement Skill Development
Motor/movement skills are basic to the actions of daily life and of games, sports and recreational activities. Through a developmentally appropriate progression of activities based on a strong foundation of motor, non-locomotor and manipulative skills; all students, regardless of ability, can engage in physical activity with competence and confidence. In order to participate in a variety of physical activities throughout life, the student needs to master a number of motor/movement skills at a very young age.
 

• Basic Locomotor Skills (run, hop, skip, gallop, jump and climb)
   
• Basic Non-Locomotor Skills (eye-hand coordination, eye-foot coordination, balance, weight transfer and laterality)
   
• Basic Manipulative Skills (throw, catch, kick and strike)
   

Personal Fitness/Wellness
Personal fitness/wellness is based on a balance of behaviors and actions that enhance good health, quality of life and well-being. This balance extends beyond physical fitness. In physical education students gain an understanding of the importance of developing and maintaining optimum fitness. Participating in physical activity is one of the best ways of developing positive self-esteem. It is an opportunity for students of all abilities to engage in a variety of group activities to increase their levels of physical fitness.

• Elements of Health Related Fitness (endurance, cardio-vascular endurance, muscle strength, endurance, flexibility and body composition)
   
• Elements of Human Wellness (disease risk reduction, safety, stress management and nutrition)
   
• Elements of Skill Related Fitness (balance, coordination, agility, reaction time, speed and power)

Personal Living Skills
These skills serve as the foundation for becoming a productive and concerned citizen. Personal living skills include self-reliance, social interaction and personal management. Physical education classes are ideal for development of such skills. In a learning environment that is active, supportive and non-threatening, students gain confidence and practice basic social interaction and personal management skills.

• Character Development (fairness, honesty, self-discipline, respect for self, self-reliance, self-control, self-responsibility and courage)
   
• Skills (respect for others, communication, collaboration, cooperation, competition, leadership, fellowship and trust)
   
• Personal Management Skills (decision making, self-learning, honesty/fairness, ethics, diligence, perseverance, initiative and self-accountability)