PHYSICAL EDUCATION

Mission Statement | Physical Education

Dalton’s Physical Education and Athletic Program provides a diversified curriculum that aims to meet the individual student’s affective, cognitive, and psychomotor needs. The main goal of the physical education program is to positively affect each student’s self-image and confidence as they develop coordination and athletic skills. Our program provides a varied and balanced progression of activities through well-planned instruction based on students’ needs, abilities, and interests at all developmental levels. As a result, students are given the opportunity to reach their full athletic potential in an environment committed to good sportsmanship and a healthy attitude toward competition.

Specific outcomes sought are: • To provide an environment in which every student is physically and emotionally safe • To teach the fundamental skills that will enable students to participate in a variety of activities and athletic pursuits • To develop further basic skills by tailoring the program to meet the needs of each individual • To teach the rules and strategies of various physical activities and sports • To teach students how to work independently and cooperatively • To teach the importance of leadership, sportsmanship, healthy competition, and fair play.

Physical Education 4

In 4th grade Physical Education classes, students pursue a program rich in skill development complemented with various sports and game activities. We hold indoor classes at the 87th Street Physical Education Center and transport students to and from the gymnasium on teacher-supervised buses. Our comprehensive curriculum includes team and individual sports/activities and is taught in mostly three-week units and, where appropriate, gives exposure to competition, stressing sportsmanship always in a fun and safe environment. Warm-ups are a daily part of the class in which we discuss physical fitness awareness and its importance for a healthy, active lifestyle. During each unit, we utilize discussions about the important sport-specific safety rules to reinforce and maintain a safe playing environment so that each student feels comfortable participating. Units included are Soccer, Project Adventure, Newcombe/ Volleyball, Floor Hockey, Football skills, Basketball, Tumbling, Badminton, Track and Field, Team Handball, Wiffle Ball, games of strength and balance, and Kickball. In units such as Soccer, Newcombe/Volleyball, Football skills, Kickball, Basketball, and Handball, hand-eye and hand-foot coordination are practiced. The students review the proper overhand and underhand, catching and overhand throwing, basketball bounce pass, chest pass, dribble, and shooting. We also introduce the underhand volleyball serve, bump pass, and set. The Football skills include the spiral pass and catching a football securely. Floor Hockey, Wiffle Ball, and Badminton introduce students to striking, either with a bat or racket. The Track and Field unit introduces the students to the different events such as the long jump, standing broad jump, triple jump, high jump, hurdles, baton passing, sprints, long-distance running, and the proper techniques for each skill. Along with the various sport skills we introduce students to the proper terminology within the different sports and how each skill applies to a particular sport. For each unit, the first-week students learn and practice basic skills needed for participation. Second-week students utilize those skills in various lead-up games and activities. The third week involves learning rules and strategies of gameplay and/or tournament participation. The students may choose to participate in more competitive or less competitive games.

Physical Education 5

The 5th grade physical education curriculum builds on the 4th grade physical education curriculum, reinforcing skills already introduced and adding age-appropriate challenges in both skills and strategy in a fun and safe environment. We hold classes at the 87th Street Physical Education Center and transport students to and from the gymnasium on teacher-supervised buses. Our comprehensive curriculum includes team and individual sports/activities and is taught in mostly three-week units and, where appropriate, gives exposure to competition, stressing sportsmanship always in a fun and safe environment. arm-ups are a daily part of the class in which we discuss physical fitness awareness and its importance for a healthy, active lifestyle. During each unit, there are discussions about the important sport-specific safety rules, which are supported to maintain a safe playing environment so that each student feels comfortable participating. Units included are Soccer, Project Adventure, Volleyball, Hockey, Football skills, Basketball, Tumbling, Badminton, Track and Field, Team Handball, games of strength and balance, Wiffle Ball, and Kickball.

In each unit, the skills taught in 4th grade are expanded upon, giving the students greater opportunity to improve, and feel more confident performing these skills. In addition, in Track and Field, the students are introduced to the shot put and discus throw, using modified equipment such as a small rubber playground ball or Frisbee. In gameplay, the students will have the opportunity to improve their strategy technique and strategize with teammates before play. For each unit, the first-week students review and improve basic skills needed for participation. The second-week students utilize those skills in a variety of lead-up games and activities. The third week involves reviewing the rules and strategies of gameplay and tournament participation. In many units, the students may elect to participate in a more advanced level of play or a less competitive level of participation in the final week.

Physical Education 6

In Grade 6, students continue to pursue a program rich in skill development complemented with various sports and game activities. We hold classes at the 87th Street Physical Education Center and transport students to and from the gymnasium on teacher-supervised buses. An aspect of the program unique to 6th grade is the division of classes by gender. This is done in order to prepare the students for 7/8 Athletics. For Grade 6 girls, the year begins with a Project Adventure unit, in which we set specific parameters for attentiveness, teamwork to reach potential. This unit is followed by soccer, most of which takes place on Randall’s Island. The unit focuses on further skill development and game strategies and positioning on a real soccer field. Volleyball takes place at the gymnasium, and after skills are reviewed and practiced, there is a significant emphasis on passing and controlling a pass in a game situation. Our Basketball and Speedball units take place indoors as well, where we put stress on moving off of the ball and getting open for a pass. One of the most significant events of the girls’ curriculum is the Step Aerobics unit. After a week of learning basic routines led by a teacher the students are then placed in groups to work independently on routines. The unit culminates in a performance of all group routines. We return to Randall’s Island for our Track and Field, Lacrosse, and Softball units in the spring. The track unit presents a unique opportunity to run events on the regulation track at Icahn Stadium for a few days of the unit. For Softball and Lacrosse, students develop a basic understanding of the games and their rules, and they can use regulation equipment on an outdoor field. For the Grade 6 boys, the year begins with large cooperative team games that involve the year-long theme of teamwork. We emphasize working together in a positive environment to reach the full potential of both the individual and the team. The fall units of soccer and football follow on Randall’s Island. The winter team units inside the gymnasium include Basketball, Speedball, Floor Hockey, and Wrestling. The focus is on skill development, game strategies, small competitive games, and overall fitness in all of these units. We also introduce the Fitness Education unit to the boys in the Winter. This unit aims to teach the proper and safe use of strength training and cardiovascular equipment. Emphasis is on age-specific guidelines for youth strength training and safety when students participate in this unit. We return to Randall’s Island for Lacrosse, Softball, and Track and Field in the spring. The focus in Lacrosse and Softball is skill development, rules and strategies, and small games. In addition, students have the great opportunity to practice events and run the mile in Icahn Stadium during the Track and Field unit.

Physical Education 7/8

The 7th and 8th grade physical education and athletics curriculum allows students to choose between physical education class and athletic teams. This program aims to prepare the student for their high school experience and create life skills. There are also many choices within both these programs. The physical education component consists of a fitness unit and athletic dance movement unit. In the athletic dance movement unit, the students use athletic moves and create their own unique dances. Students will learn the necessary skills to maintain a healthy lifestyle in the Fitness unit through cardiovascular exercises and muscle strengthening. The Fitness option includes a Games unit. Students may choose to take a CPR/FA course to fulfill their Physical Education credit in the winter. Upon completing the course, students will take two exams and receive certification in CPR and First Aid. The last piece of the Physical Education curriculum is tennis instruction. Tennis is an option for girls in the fall and boys in the spring. Each aspect of the Physical Education unit focuses on teaching students skills they can use throughout their lives while maintaining a safe and fun atmosphere. Many students choose to play on an athletic team as their Physical Education component of the day. The fall sports are Soccer, Cross Country, Football, and Volleyball. In the winter, students may choose from Basketball, Swimming, and Wrestling. Then, in the spring, teams include Track and Field, Lacrosse, Softball, and Baseball. The Middle School Athletic Program has a “no-cut” policy, encouraging all students to participate on a team. The teams maintain a competitive schedule playing schools from the Ivy League, the Manhattan Private Middle School League, the New York City Athletic League, and many other schools. Each sport fosters a sense of sportsmanship and maintains a competitive spirit while teaching proper techniques and always focusing on the skill development of each athlete.