The structure of physical education classes has changed from past years. It is a big adjustment for students and staff. Physical education department chairman Daniel VanHouwe said this change assess students’ understanding and helps to build stronger individuals.
VanHouwe said, “The change was brought about because we (the staff) were looking for a different way of teaching Phys. Ed., not just by playing games. We also wanted to break up our groups into freshman/sophomore and junior/senior classes. In order to do that, we had to do a semester type of course.”
He said, “this is what they are teaching in college. It’s called wellness; in this wellness class, they are teaching students ways to be physically fit by themselves, and so what we are trying to do is bring that down to the high school and teach you how to write a goal– those action steps to get to those goals and learn to be fit on your own.”
VanHouwe said this is going to benefit students. He said, “I’m hoping, and that’s the key word because this is all new to us as well, but I’m hoping that the students will see a change, not only in their physical body, but also how they feel when they are actively engaged… that’s
what it’s all about, you’re getting in better shape, whether it’s cardiovascular endurance, whether it’s muscle strength or muscle endurance, flexibility. If you learn how to do it then you can do it on your own, and you can stay in better shape throughout the rest of your life.”
As the year goes on, the staff is hoping this will leave the students feeling like they can continue with a similar program.
Independent PE is also something new that the school is trying this year. VanHouwe said, “some [students] are and some [students] aren’t” taking the class seriously. Does the staff think this form of PE is better than past years? “I like it that we’re teaching, we are not just saying, let’s go play a game, we are teaching kids how to apply to their lives things that they are going to use throughout the rest of their lives… when they are 20, 30, 40, 50, or beyond that, Phys. Ed. is something that you will use for the rest of your life, therefore I think it’s very important that we teach this.”
VanHouwe is certain that this change is something that the school will continue with in years to come. The primary goal is to help students get into shape and understand the components that go into it and what they can do to better themselves as they go through the rest of their lives. This is something that is not ever going away. It can only make people stronger and more independent individuals.
A young teenage girl works on her cardiovascular system by running.
By doing so she is able to maintain a healthy heart and body.
Photo from http://greatist.com/happiness/best-fitness-health-happiness-bloggers