Physical Education is an integral part of the Christ the King School curriculum. The instructional program is designed to promote and encourage physical fitness, develop fundamental motor skills, emphasize safety, stimulate social and cognitive development, and encourage decision-making, problem solving, and cooperation. All areas are addressed within the context of a Catholic environment supporting the honor system and sportsmanship at its best. In P.E. students will be exposed to a wide variety of sports, skills, and activities. As a result students will have the necessary opportunities to refine their personal abilities and needs. Placing an emphasis on participation rather than on the development of the gifted athlete is a prime goal. The units of study vary greatly according to each grade's skill level.
In primary grades skill building in nonlocomotor and locomotor movement, physical fitness, rhythms and dance, and safety and cooperation are the main topics of concentration. Upper grades focus on building skills in all of the above areas, with the addition of using those skills in cooperative games.
Kindergarten, Pre-First, first and second grade students' activities include chasing, fleeing and dodging, locomotor and non-locomotor skills, parachute, fitness testing, Red Ribbon Week, striking, dance and rhythm, levels, spatial awareness, dribbling with hands and feet, gymnastics, kicking, throwing and catching, jump rope, and various games.
Third, fourth and fifth grade curriculum involves intro to volleyball, intro to Ultimate Frisbee, fitness testing, Red Ribbon Week, hockey, Pillo Polo, dance, crab ball, team handball, whiffleball, scooter handball, dribbling with hands and feet, intro to basketball, gymnastics, step aerobics, soccer, badminton, tennis, jump rope, aerobics, and Yoga.
Middle School students experience volleyball, Ultimate Frisbee, fitness testing, Red Ribbon Week, hockey,
lacrosse, dance, Carolina Ball, basketball, Yoga, step aerobics, soccer, crab ball, badminton, tennis, team handball, flickerball, jump rope, whiffleball, scooter handball and invasion games.
The Presidential Physical Fitness test battery is administered in the fall and spring. These tests assess the progress students have made through the year and help identify needs in the program. Results of both sets of tests are reported in the spring. More information on the Presidential Fitness Challenge can be found at www.presidentschallenge.org.
Each spring, the Physical Education Department sponsors two Field Days. Day one is for Kindergarten through 4th grade; day two is for students in grades 5-8. Students compete in various games, races and other physical fitness activities.
Service is a big part of the school experience at CKS. Each year the students and faculty participate in service projects to help people in need. The Physical Education Department holds the annual Advent Jingle Jog. Students donate hats, scarves, mittens, small toys or toiletries. Students then place bells on their shoes and jog around the Garden Hills Duck Pond. The donated items are distributed to needy families through the Spanish Ministry at the Cathedral of Christ the King Parish.
Health
Health is taught throughout the Physical Education curriculum, however, in grades 3-8 specific topics are explored during P.E. classes. The topics covered are fully integrated with the religion, science, and guidance curricula:
? Third grade students learn about hygiene and healthy habits.
? Fourth graders increase their knowledge of the human body in a unit on hygiene, first aid and safety. Students learn simple first aid for wounds as well as safety guidelines for the home and in emergencies.
? Fifth grade students begin learning about Family Life through a presentation and follow-up class on maturation. To preserve privacy and modesty, students learn about changes associated with puberty in a class separated by gender.
? Sixth grade students continue Family Life through a unit covering reproductive anatomy, conception and growth and development. This is taught in coordination with the religion unit and the week-long project using potato sack babies. As in all Middle School health units, this class is separated by gender.
? Seventh grade students continue Family Life studies by exploring relationships, peer pressure and substance abuse. The teachings of the Catholic Church with regard to abstinence and chastity and the benefits of living a chaste life are also discussed in this class. This unit is supported by the Guidance Counselor.
? Health for eighth grade students is devoted to healthy habits for the body. Treating your body as the temple of the Holy Spirit is a theme throughout this unit and also includes a short unit on nutrition with special attention to eating disorders.
Red Ribbon Week is a national "Say No To Drugs" program. Here at CKS we encourage making healthy choices for healthy life style during Red Ribbon Week.
