Middle School Physical, Wellness & Health Education Courses

The Shaker Heights Physical Education Course of Study is aligned with the following standards developed by the National Association of Sport and Physical Education (NASPE):

 

• Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities (Motor Skills)
• Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies, and tactics as they apply movement to the learning and performance of physical activities (Performance Concepts)
• Participates regularly in physical activities (Active Lifestyles)
• Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of physical fitness (Physical Fitness)
• Exhibits the responsible personal and social behavior of respect for one’s self and others in physical activity settings (Personal/Social Skills)
• Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and social interaction (Values Physical Activity)

Wellness Education focuses on helping all sixth grade students to feel safe, supported and seen. How a student feels affects whether and how they learn. If they are anxious or fearful, they’re not going to be able to take in information. Creating a safe environment during Wellness Education helps students connect with feelings, turn intention into action and make informed decisions about what matters most to them. In Wellness Education, students will practice mindfulness and guided visualization. By relaxing the mind and body, stress is relieved and concentration is improved.

 

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) is covered in Wellness Education. SEL provides opportunities for individuals to understand why they have the perspective they do and create their values and beliefs. 

 

Self-awareness

• Emotional awareness
• Accurate self-assessment
• Self-confidence

Self-regulation

• Self-control
• Conscientiousness
• Adaptability

Motivation

• Commitment
• Initiative
• Optimism

Empathy

• Understanding others
• Service orientation
• Leveraging diversity

Social Skills

• Communication
• Conflict management
• Collaboration and cooperation

The key to a healthy lifestyle is based on one's ability to make informed decisions each day. As adolescents gain independence, it is paramount that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to:

 

• Access reliable health information from a variety of sources.
• Arrive at independent solutions using a valid decision-making model.
• Comfortably communicate these decisions in social settings.

The Shaker Heights Health Education Curriculum is aligned to the National Health Education Standards and includes topics such as: effective communication and social skills, peer relationships and dating, sexuality, peer pressure, dating and abstinence, marriage, pregnancy and childbirth, contraception, stress management, depression and suicide prevention, causes of addictive behavior, nutrition, communicable disease, sleep and physical fitness.