NAI Physical Education Curriculum, Guiding Objectives:

• All students will be lifelong learners, to facilitate this teachers will address why each curriculum unit is presented and how to extend participation beyond the class.

• All curriculum units presented will be lifetime in nature and emphasis physical fitness.

• We will attempt to expose students to many different activities.  Every student may not enjoy every activity but if each student finds one or two activities to participate in for a lifetime we have accomplished one of our goals.

• Students should learn real life practical skills in a real life setting.  Therefore all physical education classes are co-educational.

North Allegheny Intermediate High School

Physical Education Curriculum - Updated for 2007-2008

Why are we making these changes?

• We are continually using reflective teaching practices to re-evaluate what we do, how we do it, and if it is working for our students. 

• After reviewing student survey data it is our feeling that we can better meet student needs by restructuring the curriculum to allow for a slower more deliberate teaching progression that also allow students to be exposed to each curricular unit throughout the year rather than just one time during the year.

Weaknesses of the old curriculum format

• The old format did not allow enough room for curriculum growth and proper progression. 

• Each of our curricular units was only addressed once during the school year which often lead to students feeling rushed or missing out on opportunities due to poor weather.

Strengths of new curriculum format

•  The curriculum revisions will provide for a better teaching progression.  Student will now be exposed to each curricular track three times throughout the school year which should allow for better opportunities for individual improvement / personal development.

• Students will be exposed to activities during the different seasons (weather) so we can empower them to be active throughout the year.

• We have placed even more emphasis on lifetime physical activities that can be both fun and have real lasting health benefits.

Detailed Curriculum Outline

The curriculum is divided into 5 tracks with each track being offered each season to allow for better teaching/learning progressions.

The 5 tracks include:

1. Fitness Assessment & Goal Setting

            Unit Links
             http://www.presidentschallenge.org
             http://www.acsm.org

(Each student will self assess using each of the following assessments during each unit.)

A       S.M.A.R.T. Goal Setting

·    Assessment Description: We will instruct students in setting short and long term individualized goals that are; Specific, Measurable, Adjustable, Realistic, and Timed.  All goals should focus on self-improvement and follow the Process – Performance – Outcome Continuum.

B       15 Minute Sub-maximal Heart Rate Run

·    Assessment Description: Students will run or walk at a sub-maximal heart rate between 150 and 170 beats per minute for 15 minutes on the track.  The score is recorded as the distance covered to the nearest quarter lap.  It is imperative that each assessment be done at a consistent heart rate (within a few beats) and consistent temperatures (within + or – 10 degrees) for the assessment to be accurate.

C      20 Minute Cross Country Run

·    Assessment Description: Students will run the 1 mile cross country loop at the fastest pace they can handle for 20 minutes.  The score is recorded as the distance covered to the nearest 1/10 of a mile.  Students must maintain a consistent heart rate between assessments for the assessment to be valid.

D      Max Push-Ups

·    Assessment Description: Students will complete the FitnessGram Push-Up assessment to the cadence of the CD that is provided.  Students must go from full extension to and 90 degree bend in the elbow and back to full extension on each rep for it to count.  No rests are allowed during the assessment.  Students are stopped when the second form correction is made or when they experience extreme discomfort or pain.

E       Max Chin-Ups

·    Assessment Description: Students will perform the assessment with their palms facing toward themselves.  A rep is counted as moving from a dead hang until you can touch your chin to the bar and back again.  The body and legs must be limited to an up and down motion, so swinging or kicking is allowed.

F       Body Fat Percentage (This is not a required assessment)

·    Assessment Description: We will be assessing students using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis or BIA.  BIA is considered one of the most reliable and accessible methods of screening body fat. In conventional BIA, a person is weighed, then height, age, gender and weight or other physical characteristics such as body type, or physical activity level are entered in a computer. While the person is standing on electrodes that are on the surface of the scale, a small electric signal is circulated. Simply explained, BIA measures the impedance or resistance to the signal as it travels through the water that is found in muscle and fat. The more muscle a person has, the more water their body can hold. The greater the amount of water in a person's body, the easier it is for the current to pass through it. The more fat there is within the body, the more resistance to the current.  BIA is safe and it does not hurt. In fact, the signal used in body fat monitors can not be felt at all either by an adult or child.  During the assessment, students will remove their shoes and step onto the scale barefoot (the scale is sanitized between each user). The students will be individually assessed and discreetly handed their results immediately after completing the assessment.  Students are encouraged not to share their results with other students and to respect others privacy by not asking to see others results.

G      Sit and Reach

·    Assessment Description: Students will test their right and left sides separately.  On the right side assessment the students will place the right leg in a straight position with their heal at the zero mark of the tape on the floor.  The left leg should be bent to the side with the sole of the foot against the right inner thigh.  Slowly slide both hands forward as far as you can reach without over straining.  The score is recorded as the number of inches you can reach (+ for past your heal and – for number behind your heal) with both hands evenly.

2. Running

                Unit Links
                http://www.runnersworld.com
                http://www.roadrunnersports.com/

A       Run 1, Aerobic Base Training

·    Unit Description:  Aerobic Base Training will focus on establishing a foundation of Cardiovascular Endurance which will be built upon throughout the academic year.  While building this foundation, students will begin to identify and experience the benefits of running as a lifetime fitness activity.  Students will identify proper biomechanics of running that will allow them to become successful runners and prevent future injury.

B       Run 2, Winter Running

·    Unit Description:  During the Winter Running unit, students will build upon their foundation of CV Endurance that was established during Aerobic Base Training.  Students will be introduced to running in a variety of weather conditions and will be shown the proper way to dress for such weather.  In addition, students will have the opportunity to get outside of the traditional classroom and enjoy the benefits of outdoor activity.

Why do we run outside in the winter?

How should I dress/safety tips? (from the American College of Sports Medicine)

C      Run 3, Trail Running

·    Unit Description:  Trail Running will serve to continually develop the CV Endurance of the North Allegheny Students, while introducing them to variations of terrains and environments in which to run.  Students will have the opportunity to run throughout NAI’s network of trails which loop around the schools.  This unit provides a safe opportunity for students to experience the “alternative” options to traditional road/track running. 

3. Biking

                Unit Links
                http://www.bikeleague.org/
                http://www.adventurecycling.org

A       Biking 1, Fitness Biking / Rails to Trails

·    Unit Description:  During the Fitness Biking Unit, students will improve their Cardiovascular and Muscle Endurance while learning the skill of biking as a lifetime activity.  Students will be introduced to the benefits of biking, biking safety, rules of the road and biking maintenance.  In addition, students will be introduced to the many local biking options available to them outside of the classroom including but not limited to the vast network of “Rails to Trails” in the Pittsburgh area.

B       Biking 2, Spinning / Other Cardio

·    Unit Description:  Building on the benefits of Fitness Biking, the spinning unit will introduce the students to an alternative biking activity for inclement weather.   In addition to spinning, other cardiovascular activities will take place in order to add variety to the activities the students participate in while in physical education.  Spinning and Other Cardio will serve to further enhance the fitness of the North Allegheny students will giving them the opportunity to experience activities popular in today’s culture. 

C      Biking 3, Mountain Biking / Trail Riding

·    Unit Description:  As a culmination to the Biking track, Mountain Biking / Trail Riding will give the students the opportunity to get outside the traditional physical education environment and into a realistic setting for biking as a lifetime activity.  Students will have the opportunity to ride throughout NAI’s network of trails while continuing to enhance their fitness levels.  Grouped according to ability levels, students will work independently and as part of a team to experience the benefits of Mountain and Trail Biking as a lifetime activity.

4. Strength Training

                Unit Links
                http://www.coreperformance.com/
                http://www.exrx.net
                http://www.acefitness.org/

A       Strength 1, Mobile Gym / Home Workout Options

·    Unit Description:  The Mobile Gym Unit will emphasize developing the fitness components of Muscular Endurance and Strength in the absence of a traditional “gym” setting.  Students will utilize their body weight and minimal equipment to complete full body workouts which can be completed at home, in an office, on vacation or any where you may go in life.  The emphasis of this unit is to educate students on the variety of strength training options available to them with little or no money, equipment or time.

B       Strength 2, Circuit Training / Selectorized Equipment

·    Unit Description:  Circuit Training will introduce the students to the traditional “Gym” training that is seen at all fitness centers.  Students will identify proper weight room etiquette and safety procedures while completing a full body workout.  In addition, students will be introduced to a wide variety of free weights and selectorized machines that are commercially available to the public.

C      Strength 3, Functional Training

·    Unit Description: Functional Training builds on the foundation of strength and endurance developed in the first two units and teaches students how to develop their muscles in ways that simulate real-life movement patterns. Lessons will focus on simulating activities that take place in real life and working towards strengthening those movements.  Emphasis will be focused on developing strength and endurance while learning safety techniques for performing human movement and sport movements.        

5. Explorative Activities

                Unit Links
                http://www.ventureoutdoors.org/index.asp

A       Explore 1, Yoga / Dance

·    Unit Description:  Exploration 1 leads students to experience the benefits of Yoga and Dance as health enhancing activities.  During this unit, students will be introduced to the benefits of dance and yoga and to the various movements and poses of each, which work towards developing strength and flexibility, balance and stress relief.

B       Explore 2, Self defense / Racquet sports

·    Unit Description:  Exploration 2 focuses on introducing students to the benefits and skills related to the Self-Defense and Racquet Sports. 

During the Self-Defense component, students will recognize the martial arts as an avenue to pursue lifetime fitness, personal improvement, and self defense.  Students will understand that this unit of instruction is just an introduction to the martial arts and in order to attain higher skill levels they must pursue higher training. 

Racquet sports will focus on introducing and further developing their skill level.  This unit component will aid in improving fitness levels while working to enhance coordination in our students.   

C      Explore 3, Outdoor Pursuits / High Intensity Training

·    Unit Description:  Outdoor pursuits / High Intensity Training is designed to introduce students to “other ways” to maintain fitness throughout one’s lifetime. 

Outdoor pursuits will focus activities such as Eco Challenges, Orienteering, Hiking, Camping, and Kayaking among other activities as ways to improve fitness using Mother Nature. 

High Intensity Training will introduce skills and activities that will not only improve health related fitness but also areas of skill related fitness.  Skills and activities performed during High Intensity Training will challenge the entire student, both mind and body.  Some activities included will be interval training and plyometrics.

2007-2008

North Allegheny Intermediate High School

Physical Education Curriculum

Block Outline