Health and Physical Education (HPE)

Overview

The Health and Physical Education (HPE) curriculum for grades 5-12 promotes lifelong wellness, physical fitness, and sportsmanship through a holistic approach integrating health education, movement skills, and athletic development. Emphasizing practical application, critical decision-making, and leadership, students engage in designing nutrition plans, fitness challenges, and team sports initiatives. Aligned with SHAPE America National Standards, the program fosters physical and mental health, teamwork, and resilience, preparing students for active lifestyles and careers in health, fitness, or sports. Inclusive adaptations like modified exercises ensure equitable participation.

Curriculum Description

The HPE curriculum employs an active, collaborative framework, progressing from foundational concepts in grades 5-6 to strategic planning in grades 7-8, and advanced leadership in grades 9-12. The three components—Wellness and Health Education, Physical Fitness and Movement, and Sports and Athletics—integrate practical skills with critical thinking. Activities include wellness plans, exercise programs, and taekwondo competitions, supported by Mark Twain Media Health and Wellness: Health, Wellness, and Physical Fitness Workbook Grade 5-12.

Wellness and Health Education

  • Key Topics:
    • Nutrition (e.g., balanced diets, food labels, MyPlate).
    • Mental health (e.g., stress management, mindfulness).
    • Preventive health (e.g., hygiene, disease prevention).
    • Social wellness (e.g., healthy relationships, communication).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Understand nutrition basics, mental health triggers, and hygiene, using Mark Twain Media Health and Wellness: Health, Wellness, and Physical Fitness Workbook Grade 5-12. Activities include creating meal plans and role-playing communication, supported by Mark Twain Media Mental Health: Managing Anxiety & Mental Health Workbook Grade 6-12. Projects involve a weekly wellness journal, with peer feedback.
    • Grades 7-8: Plan nutrition and coping strategies, analyzing social media’s mental health impact, using Mark Twain Media Healthy Eating: Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Sleep Workbook Grade 6-12. Projects include a sleep hygiene campaign, supported by Mark Twain Media Developing Life Skills: Developing Life Skills Resource Book Grade 5-8.
    • Grades 9-12: Lead community health campaigns, analyzing complex mental health issues, using Mark Twain Media Focus for Success: Focus for Success Workbook Grade 5-12. Projects include a substance abuse awareness workshop, supported by Mark Twain Media Life Skills: Life Skills Resource Book Grade 5-8.

Physical Fitness and Movement

  • Key Topics:
    • Cardiovascular/resistance training (e.g., aerobics, strength).
    • Movement skills (e.g., flexibility, coordination).
    • Fitness program design (e.g., workout plans, progressive overload).
    • Team challenges (e.g., relays, obstacle courses).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Build fitness through jogging and stretching, introducing taekwondo stances, using Mark Twain Media Health and Wellness. Projects involve a relay race fitness log, supported by Mark Twain Media Focus for Success.
    • Grades 7-8: Refine resistance training and taekwondo skills (e.g., side kick), using Mark Twain Media Weightlifting: Weightlifting for Teenagers Workbook Grade 6-12. Projects include a personalized workout plan, supported by Mark Twain Media Developing Life Skills.
    • Grades 9-12: Lead HIIT and taekwondo mastery (e.g., Koryo form), using Mark Twain Media Healthy Eating. Projects include a school-wide fitness challenge, mentoring younger students, supported by Mark Twain Media Life Skills.

Sports and Athletics

  • Key Topics:
    • Team sports (e.g., soccer, basketball).
    • Individual sports (e.g., taekwondo, track).
    • Combat sports (e.g., taekwondo forms, sparring).
    • Sportsmanship and strategy (e.g., teamwork, tactics).
  • Progression:
    • Grades 5-6: Learn soccer and taekwondo basics (e.g., front kick), using Mark Twain Media Health and Wellness. Projects involve a fair play role-play, supported by Mark Twain Media Life Skills.
    • Grades 7-8: Develop taekwondo forms and soccer strategies, using Mark Twain Media Weightlifting. Projects include a team playbook, supported by Mark Twain Media Developing Life Skills.
    • Grades 9-12: Master taekwondo (e.g., board breaking) and lead tournaments, using Mark Twain Media Focus for Success. Projects include a sportsmanship campaign, supported by Mark Twain Media Healthy Eating.

Summary of Topics Learned

  • Grades 5-7: Foundational nutrition, exercise, and sports skills through projects like wellness journals and relays.
  • Grades 8-9: Intermediate health planning, fitness programs, and sports strategies through campaigns and playbooks.
  • Grades 10-12: Advanced wellness campaigns, high-intensity fitness, and competitive sports through challenges and mentorship.

Educational Impact

Aligned with SHAPE America standards, HPE promotes health, teamwork, and leadership, preparing students for fitness and health careers with inclusive, practical projects.

Resources

  • Hands-on: Mats, weights, sports gear, fitness kits.
  • Texts: Health guides, taekwondo manuals.
  • Digital: MyFitnessPal, https://curriculumthatmatters.com/.
  • Workbooks:
    • Mark Twain Media Health and Wellness: Health, Wellness, and Physical Fitness Workbook Grade 5-12
    • Mark Twain Media Focus for Success: Focus for Success Workbook Grade 5-12
    • Mark Twain Media Healthy Eating: Healthy Eating, Exercise, and Sleep Workbook Grade 6-12
    • Mark Twain Media Weightlifting: Weightlifting for Teenagers Workbook Grade 6-12
    • Mark Twain Media Mental Health: Managing Anxiety & Mental Health Workbook Grade 6-12
    • Mark Twain Media Life Skills: Life Skills Resource Book Grade 5-8
    • Mark Twain Media Developing Life Skills: Developing Life Skills Resource Book Grade 5-8

Assessment Methods

  • Formative: Participation logs, skill demonstrations, peer feedback.
  • Summative: Fitness tests, portfolios (e.g., wellness plans), rubrics (1-4 scale for competence, leadership).

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