Physical Education/Health

The Maryland State Board of Education regulation on graduation requirements does not provide the ability to waive the physical education credit requirement. However, there are modifications one may need to make based on physical limitations or handicapping conditions. Students may participate in a modified program of physical education based on individual needs. This would require an individual program to be adapted to assist students with any modification necessary. This program would have to be approved by the physical education teacher or supervisor. In Washington County Public Schools, students with physical limitations or handicapping conditions will receive a physical education instructional program based on the medical information provided by the student’s attending physician and/or certifying medical agency/provider and in consultation with the student’s regular physical education teacher and/or the adaptive physical education teacher assigned to the student. For additional information regarding the adaptive physical education program, please call the Supervisor of Physical Education at 301-766-2929.

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PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES
HEALTH COURSES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION COURSES

PHYSICAL EDUCATION I (A702SM) Grade Level 9
Physical Education courses provide students with the knowledge, experience, and opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities. Physical Education I, sometimes referred to as Introduction to Lifetime Sports and Fitness, is designed to provide students with experiences that they can use as lifetime recreational activities and as a continuing fitness program. The course allows students to experience lifetime activities and team sports while incorporating fitness elements into the class period. The course consists of activities such as archery, badminton, basketball, bowling, cross country, flag football, golf, shuffleboard, soccer, softball, table tennis, track and field, volleyball, field hockey, flickerball, mass games, rhythms, speedball, and other fitness activities. This course is suggested for Grade 9 students, and it meets the state graduation requirement.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION II (A704SM) Grade Level 9, 10
Physical Education courses provide students with the knowledge, experience, and opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities. Physical Education II is an elective physical education course that provides supplemental enrichment experiences that contribute to the total development of an individual. Students have an opportunity to engage in a wide variety of activities and skills, primarily lifetime sports, team sports, and physical fitness. This course does not meet the state graduation requirement. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education I

PHYSICAL EDUCATION III (A706SM) Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Physical Education courses provide students with the knowledge, experience, and opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities. Physical Education III is an elective physical education course that expands the supplemental and enrichment experiences in Physical Education II. Activities included in this course are lifetime sports, team sports, and physical fitness. This course does not meet the state graduation requirement. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education II

PHYSICAL EDUCATION IV (A708SM) Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Physical Education courses provide students with the knowledge, experience, and opportunity to develop skills in more than one of the following sports or activities: team sports, individual/dual sports, recreational sports, and fitness/conditioning activities. Physical Education IV expands the supplemental and enrichment experiences in Physical Education III that contribute to the student’s total physical development. Students have opportunities to engage in a wide variety of activities, knowledge, and skills related to exercise sports, which include lifetime sports, team sports, and physical fitness. This course does not meet the state graduation requirement. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education III

WEIGHT CONDITIONING (A712SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Weight Training courses help students develop knowledge and skills with free weights and universal stations while emphasizing safety and proper body positioning; they may include other components such as anatomy and conditioning. Enrollment in this course is limited as determined by each school’s facility and equipment. This course does not meet the state graduation requirement. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education I

ADAPTIVE PHYSICAL EDUCATION (A720SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Adaptive Physical Education is a physical education equivalent course that enables students with special needs to participate in physical education classes and other approved at-school activities to meet the state graduation requirement. This course includes activities that develop and /or enhance gross and fine motor skills, locomotor movements, endurance, muscular strength, and coordination.

PERSONAL/LIFE FITNESS (A738SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Lifetime Fitness Education courses emphasize acquiring knowledge and skills regarding lifetime physical fitness; content may include related topics such as nutrition stress management and consumer issues. Students may develop and implement a personal fitness plan. The goal of the course is to encourage students to acquire knowledge of physical fitness concepts, develop an individual optimum level of physical fitness, and understand the significance of lifestyle on one’s health, personal fitness and well-being. Students learn how to assess their own health and fitness levels, then design their own personal fitness programs by incorporating a variety of lifetime activities such as badminton, table tennis, and tennis, as well as various forms of fitness activities such as aerobics, dancing, and strength training. Students also develop weekly fitness plans based on nutrition and exercise. Enrollment in this course is limited as determined by each school’s facility. This course does not meet the state graduation requirement. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education I

AEROBICS/FITNESS (A740SM) Grade Level 9, 10, 11, 12
Lifetime Fitness Education courses emphasize acquiring knowledge and skills regarding lifetime physical fitness; content may include related topics such as nutrition stress management and consumer issues. Students may develop and implement a personal fitness plan. Prerequisite: successful completion of Physical Education I

HEALTH COURSES

HEALTH EDUCATION AND FINANCIAL LITERACY (A2131) Grade Level 10, 11, 12
This year-long course meets the MSDE graduation requirements for Health I and Health II. This course encourages students to develop skills, attitudes, and behaviors that will enable them to make decisions that promote healthy behaviors. Topics included are Mental and Emotional Health; Substance Abuse Prevention; Family Life and Human Sexuality; Safety and Violence Prevention; Healthy Eating; and Disease Prevention and Control. Skills developed in relation to health-enhancing behaviors include: analyzing influences, accessing valid and reliable information, interpersonal communication, decision-making, goal setting, self-management, and advocacy. The financial literacy component includes consumer decision-making, financial awareness, saving and investments, and loan and debt management. A student service learning (SSL) project is part of this course. Students must complete the SSL project to earn 15 hours toward the graduation requirement. As part of the instructional health program, all high school Washington County Public School students are provided the opportunity to participate in lessons relating to family life and human development. The approved Health Education curriculum is based on the national and state health education standards and in accordance with Maryland Regulations (COMAR 13A.04.18). The course content has been designed and approved to not only meet state graduation requirements, but also to provide information, decision-making skills, and resources that will encourage communication between students and their families. The Family Life & Sexuality curriculum will include the following topics: Parents of high school students will receive information about family life at the beginning of the school year. According to State of Maryland regulations, students may be excused from this unit of study upon written request from their parent/guardian.

NUTRITION AND WELLNESS (A732SM) Grade Level 10, 11, 12
Nutrition and Wellness is a one-semester elective course that provides students with an overview of good nutrition principles that are necessary for overall wellness and healthy life. Instructional strategies include discussions of digestion, basic nutrients, weight management, food safety, fitness, and life-span nutrition. The Nutrition and Wellness course emphasizes an understanding of today’s food and eating trends and gives students the capacity to intelligently evaluation all available sources of nutrition information and make informed decisions. Unit topics include a course introduction, wellness and food choices in today’s world, digestion and major nutrients, and body size and weight management. Prerequisite: Health Education/Life Skills/Financial Literacy