Health and Physical Education

Fifth-grade physical education is fun. Cooperation and learning to work with new classmates are most important. Many activities are offered to develop basic movement skills, hand-eye coordination, sportsmanship, teamwork, and the ability to assess and accept gifts and limitations. Emphasis is on class participation, cooperation, and individual effort. A positive learning environment is established by participating in cooperative activities. Non-competitive games reinforce good sportsmanship, teamwork, support of teammates, and respect for classmates

Students will explore a wide variety of fitness activities, including individual and team sports, and cooperative games. The class focuses on developing an active and healthy lifestyle.

Cardio & Strength

Students will explore a wide variety of fitness classes for all levels, such as bootcamp, strength conditioning, circuit training, and aerobics. The class focuses on developing an active and healthy lifestyle.

This course examines a range of health and wellness concepts that contribute to living a healthy and balanced life and students’ development of healthy decision-making skills. Topics include wellness, safety, nutrition, sexual health, social/emotional health, and substance use and abuse. Short, assigned readings and lively discussions are enhanced with engaging classroom activities and projects. As this course is a foundational building block of the Forest Ridge experience, most students fulfill this academic requirement in the 10^th grade.

This semester course utilizes the Fitness Center to focus on the four components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and aerobic capacity. Students will use the skills learned in this class to develop their own personal fitness program. The intent of this course is for students to experience the benefits of a regular and well-rounded fitness regimen as part of leading a balanced, healthy lifestyle.

Traditional yoga practices are taught using asanas to increase strength and flexibility during this Semester class. An emphasis is put on correct alignment for safe practice. Restorative practice and meditation help students increase energy levels and decrease stress through relaxation and breathing exercises. Foundational concepts of yoga are covered along with reflecting on how yoga and meditation can fit into a student’s life.

Foundations for a Healthy Lifestyle

These offerings all take place outside of the school day. Through successful completion of any of these options, students will earn one Semester of PE credit. The courses are graded on a credit/no credit basis. This course may be taken one time only per school year. Students may earn credit for up to two Semesters (1.0 credit) of upper school PE through Independent Physical Educational Options.

Approval to receive credit must be obtained in advance from the Physical Education Department Chair in conjunction with the sponsoring coach (on or off campus) or adult supervisor of the activity. Each student will turn in a Physical Education Activity Log by the end of the Semester to earn credit.

Credit is earned for committed participation for the entire season of any of our Forest Ridge Sports Teams - Volleyball, Cross Country, Soccer, Basketball, Tennis, or Golf.

Students may earn Physical Education credit through committed participation in a coach- or instructor-led athletic activity not offered in the school curriculum. This could include but is not limited to ballet, riding lessons, swim team or track team, etc. Student must complete 50 hours of participation to earn the credit.