Physical Education
-- MSS HPE Virtual Open House Video HERE --
OUR VISION: To foster student motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding through joyful participation in physical activity, empowering their ability to make positive choices to lead a healthy, active way of life.
Important informational links:
Health & Physical Education Information
Marshall Springs Physical Education Clothing and Extra-Curricular Athletic Team Shirt MSS
Marshall Springs T-Shirt (Russell performance-blend) and shorts that are ready for students to purchase on the MyCBE – Powerschool Parent Account, under the school-based optional fee section. In stock at the school, we currently have shirts in the sizes youth x-large and adult small, medium, large and x-large, as well as shorts in sizes youth large and x-large and adult small, medium, and large. We will be running an MSS apparel store in early October where families may purchase HPE clothing in additional sizes and additional items such as hoodies, however, the HPE clothing will be at a higher cost due to volume. We are encouraging students to purchase the school shirt to build a sense of community. This shirt is also the team uniform for Cross-Country, Wrestling, Badminton, Track and Field and our development intramural teams.
Participation in Physical Education & Excused Participation
We ask that if a student is to be excused from participation due to a medical reason that a written note from the parent with the information of the condition and anticipated date of return to activity be sent with the student to their PE class. Students attending school not feeling well without a note will be encouraged to change and do the best they can. Written notes are important if there are guest teachers or if a teacher is unable to check their email prior to school due to situations such as running a morning practice.
Pre-existing Medical Condition
We request that PE teachers are informed of any pre-existing medical conditions or injuries. This enables PE teachers to be aware of anything that could impact participation in physical activity and help students.
Changing for Physical Education class
Changing for Physical Education helps students to fully participate in all athletic activities in class. Clothing appropriate for indoor and outdoor participation, fall, winter and spring is required. Students must also have a pair of athletic shoes that tie up with laces and have non-marking soles. Suggestions for appropriate clothing include:
- T-shirts, Long Sleeve T-shirts, Hoodies
- Shorts, Sweat Pants, Leggings, Track Pants
- Snow pants, mittens, toques and boots are strongly encouraged for winter cold weather outdoor activities.
- Hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen are strongly encouraged for fall and spring warm-weather outdoor activities.
The Marshall Springs HPE Clothing is available for purchase from the school store twice a year. Students may choose to purchase the school HPE clothing or bring their own choice of a change of clothing. We do encourage students to purchase the school shirt to build a sense of community. This shirt is also the team uniform for Cross-Country, Wrestling, Badminton, Track and Field and our development intramural teams.
To ensure safety and the safety of others, students are asked to remove jewelry, with the exception of stud earrings, prior to PE and we suggest they have a small container to keep it safe and from falling through the ventilation holes in the lockers. It is the student's responsibility to not bring any valuables to the locker room. This includes money, cell phones, or any other valuable item. Cell phones are prohibited from entering the changing room to respect the privacy of all students and are to be stored in hallway lockers prior to HPE class unless otherwise instructed.
Due to the repeated use of HPE clothing, we require that the students take home PE wear to launder frequently.
If students or parents/guardians have any concerns regarding changing, please speak with your Health and Physical Education (HPE) teacher so that together we can create a plan that works for the student.
Cell Phones in HPE
Cell phones are prohibited from entering the changing room to respect the privacy of all students and are to be stored in hallway lockers prior to HPE class unless students are instructed to bring technology to HPE class for the purpose of completing a learning activity.
PE in the Community
Physical Education classes will participate in community walks within our local community. This is a great way to get active and become familiar with our community. These walks take place on our local pathways system and sidewalks and are within a 2.5 km distance from the school.
Human Sexuality | Health and Life Skills Grade 6 - 9
The Human Sexuality content of the Alberta Health and Life Skill Program of Studies will be delivered in Health and Physical Education (HPE) during unit mill 3, which is scheduled from January 10th to February 16th, 2019. Parents may excuse students from this portion of the Health and Life Skills program by returning the appropriate form linked below. Note that these forms are for exemption only, if you would like your student to participate in this instruction you do not need to send or return anything to the school. If you require a printed copy of one of these forms please have your student see Ms. O'Lain.
The Marshall Spring HPE team uses resources from the CBE-approved resource Teaching Sexual Health.ca (https://teachingsexualhealth.ca) for this content. This site is also a great source of information for parents and guardians with a parent portal.
Choice in Physical Education
Choice has been shown to have a positive effect on students’ motivation and increases self-determination. Self-determination in physical education is about reshaping class environments to promote active lifestyles independent of fitness or abilities (Deci & Ryan, 2000). The goal of quality physical education programs should be to provide a safe environment for students and to allow students to take ownership of their health and physical activity (Bray, 2013).
To provide students with choice in their Physical Education experience at Marshall Springs, the HPE program has been structured to include Modules for students in grades 6-9 in which students have a choice in the activities in which they participate and class focus choice for students in grade 8 and 9 for students to choose the focus of their key HPE class participation environment.
HPE Modules | Grades 6-9
Students are provided with choices in their participation in physical activities through Modules scheduled during the year. Students will be asked to sign up for their module choices through their HPE Google Classroom the week prior to the beginning of each module.
HPE Class Choice | Grades 8 & 9
Grade 8 and 9 HPE classes will be based on student choice, class sizes, peer interaction and teacher discretion. During the course of the year, if it is in the best interest of the student's learning adjustments may be made.
These choices are intended to provide students with participation opportunities where they can develop physical competence and confidence in their movement skills. Through participation with peers of similar physical ability, time on task (i.e. contact with the implement of play, number of passes received, etc.) may be increased, in turn, this increases skill, leading to an increase in confidence.
This class selection is based upon current physical competence and desired participation environment; behavioural consideration will not be taken into account. Physical competence refers to an individual’s ability to develop movement skills and patterns, and the capacity to experience a variety of movement intensities and durations.
Strive for Activity Skills
For students who:
- enjoy a mix of recreational and competitive participation opportunities
- enjoy games that maximize participation and movement skill development and opportunities for sport-based participation
- want to focus on fundamental and specific activity skill development
- have a goal of building confidence in movement skills and improving activity-specific skills
- want to improve their health and skill-related fitness to support their health and well-being
Strive for Strategy
For students who:
- are motivated by competitive environments
- want to focus on applying skills and the development of game sense (awareness, decision-making & strategies and tactics)
- are motivated to improve their skills and abilities to promote competitive participation with peers.
- enjoy moderate to high-intensity participation and like to push fitness ability in activities
- have confidence in movement skills and the ability to learn new skills
- enjoy sport-based participation and activities or drills to improve movement skills
Physical Education Program Philosophy
OUR VISION
OUR VISION: To foster student motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding through joyful participation in physical activity, empowering their ability to make positive choices to lead a healthy, active way of life.
WE WILL ENSURE THIS BY
- Implementing best practices (instructional models and strategies, tools and resources, research, etc.) to deliver the Alberta Health and Physical Education programs of study.
- Consistently and clearly communicating the intended student learning, how learning will be targeted and why this learning will positively impact the student.
- Ensuring an equitable emphasis on psychomotor skills, cognitive understanding, and social and emotional skills.
- Engaging students in a variety of inclusive, relevant and meaningful learning tasks that are accessible to all and that incorporate student choice.
- Focusing on the development of physical competence (a key factor in engagement in lifelong activity).
- Creating a classroom environment in which students can develop positive relationships with one another and with the teacher (a key factor in engagement).
- Using high-quality common summative and formative assessment strategies to facilitate learning and inform future learning focus and goals.
KEY CONCEPTS
UNESCO (2015) Defines Quality PE as
"the planned, progressive, inclusive learning experience that forms part of the curriculum in early years, primary and secondary education. In this respect, QPE acts as the foundation for lifelong engagement in physical activity and sport. The learning experience offered to children and young people through physical education lessons should be developmentally appropriate to help them acquire the psychomotor skills, cognitive understanding, and social and emotional skills they need to lead a physically active life.
Physical literacy is the foundation of physical education, it is not a programme but an outcome of any structured physical education provision, which is achieved more readily if learners encounter a range of age and stage-appropriate opportunities."
The Marshall Spring Health and Physical Education Program supports the development of Physical Literacy through a variety of developmentally appropriate movement activities.
Margaret Whitehead (2010) further defines a physically literate individual:
- Physically literate individuals possess assurance and self-confidence in tune with their movement capabilities. They demonstrate sound coordination and control and can respond to the demands of a changing environment.
- They will relate well to others, demonstrate sensitivity in their verbal and non-verbal communication, and will have empathetic relationships. The physically literate individual will enjoy discovering new activities and will welcome advice and guidance, confident in the knowledge that they will experience some success.
- The individual will appreciate the intrinsic value of physical education, as well as its contribution to health and well-being, and will be able to look ahead through the life course with the expectation that participation in physical activity will continue to be a part of life.
In Canada, many programs and associations have adopted the International Physical Literacy Association definition of Physical Literacy (May 2014)
"Physical literacy is the motivation, confidence, physical competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical activities for life."
Motivation and Confidence (Affective)
Motivation and confidence refer to an individual’s enthusiasm for, enjoyment of, and self-assurance in adopting physical activity as an integral part of life.
Physical Competence (Physical)
Physical competence refers to an individual’s ability to develop movement skills and patterns, and the capacity to experience a variety of movement intensities and durations. Enhanced physical competence enables an individual to participate in a wide range of physical activities and settings.
Knowledge and Understanding (Cognitive)
Knowledge and understanding include the ability to identify and express the essential qualities that influence movement, understand the health benefits of an active lifestyle, and appreciate appropriate safety features associated with physical activity in a variety of settings and physical environments.
Engagement in Physical Activities for Life (Behavioural)
Engagement in physical activities for life refers to an individual taking personal responsibility for physical literacy by freely choosing to be active on a regular basis. This involves prioritizing and sustaining involvement in a range of meaningful and personally challenging activities, as an integral part of one’s lifestyle.
