Walter Johnson High School Physical Education

2003-04 Department Goals

...in support of Academic Achievement:

Goal:    To increase the emphasis on improving fitness levels of our students in support of brain research findings where increased fitness levels stimulate brain growth and development which “can impact student academic performance and elevate test scores.  Mental focus and concentration levels improve significantly after engaging in structured physical activity”. (Caterino and Polak  1999)  These findings suggest that “physical exercise has a definite impact on an individual’s frontal lobea, the primary brain area for mental concentration, planning, and decision making.  Aerobic conditioning seems to assist in memory. (Michund and Wild  1991)  The President’s Council on Fitness and Sports suggest 30 min of physical activity a day to stimulate the brain.  “Academic scores went up when physical education time was increased 1/3 of the school day.” (Vanves and Blanchard)

Our plan of action:  

·        Pre tests students in the 5 components of Health Related Fitness.

·        Students will self-assess personal fitness levels

·        Students will set personal fitness goals for improving fitness levels based on the self assessment.

·        Students will develop a personal fitness plan to be completed outside of the school day based on meeting personal goals.  The minimum requirement for the plan is 3 days a week for 30 minutes per session on non consecutive days.

·        Students will log their weekly activities to be turned in on a daily basis.  A reflection of each week’s activities will be included as a part of the log.

·        Students will complete a post test to determine the improvement of their fitness level.

·        Weekly lessons will be devoted solely to improving fitness levels.

How will we know it is working?  

·        A written reflection will be turned in on a weekly basis as a part of the fitness log.  A portion of the reflection will be devoted to the question; “Do you feel the increased physical activity has had a positive effect on your academic achievement?  If so, please elaborate?”

·        A survey will be developed to be taken by the students at the end of the semester to gain insight on the how the students perceive their increased level of fitness and physical activity has positively affected their academic achievement.

…..in support of Improved Relationships:

Goal:   To implement the Sport Education Model of instruction in physical education classes to enhance the learning of “individual responsibility and effective group membership skills”. (Siedentop  1994)   Roles and responsibilities will be assigned to team members and will be vital to the success of the team and/or group.  Individual and group decisions will have to be made.  Students will be afforded the vehicle for improving communication and social skills in this setting.  Students will develop effective leadership skills and teambuilding skills.

Our plan of action:

·        Establish student roles for each unit that will focus on group responsibility, cohesiveness, leadership, ownership, communication,  and positive social skills/sportsmanship. (Specific Student roles are not to be repeated from unit to unit)

·        Assess group accountability on a daily basis with a check list.

How do we know it is working?

·        Periodic survey addressing communication, leadership, and social issues within each individual’s group.  Problem solving will be a focus for situations that were not perceived to have been met in a positive manner.

·        Group discussion to assess how groups are functioning and what can be done to improve the cohesiveness and efficient function of each group.