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Physical, Wellness & Heath Education Introduction

Aims of Physical and Health Education in the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Programme

The aims of all MYP subjects state what a teacher may expect to teach and what a student may expect to experience and learn. These aims suggest how the student may be changed by the learning experience.
 
The aims of MYP physical and health education are to encourage and enable students to:
  • Use inquiry to explore physical and health education concepts
  • Participate effectively in a variety of contexts
  • Understand the value of physical activity
  • Achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle
  • Collaborate and communicate effectively
  • Build positive relationships and demonstrate social responsibility
  • Reflect on their learning experiences

Course Requirements

  • Grade 6: One quarter of PE
  • Grade 7: One quarter of PE and one quarter of Health
  • Grade 8: One semester of PE and no health class during the school year

Courses

Physical Education (Grades 6, 7 & 8)

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 (Grade 6)

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

Health Education (Grades 7 & 8)

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.