Philosophy

The Physical Education curriculum teaches the importance of being and staying healthy, and gives GMS girls the opportunity to learn and play sports in a positive environment. Making PE classes fun draws the students in, and they participate and exercise because they enjoy it. Knowing that seventh grade is the year when most students drop team sports forever, exercise, as a lifelong habit. Finding the right type of exercise for you, whether a team or individual sport, is the goal.

Instruction uses the Double Goal Coaching Philosophy: A Double-Goal Coach™ strives to win and uses sports to teach life lessons through positive coaching.  All students are expected to be involved to some degree all of the time. Students must test their skills at the end of a unit by competing in tournaments, playing on randomly organized teams chosen by the instructor.

Course Description

PE classes include traditional sports such as volleyball and softball as well as non-traditional sports such as skateboarding and lacrosse. GMS is proud to have a covered skateboard ramp and all of the necessary equipment to run a skate program. Highlights of the rainy season include African dance and GMS fitness stations, including Dance Dance Revolution and ping pong. Students are able to track their athletic improvement through fitness tests and various team challenges. In “Run Across America,” the girls compete against the other grades in a yearlong running competition.

Girls discover sports by playing games to learn the rules and techniques rather than practicing repetitive drills. This approach to learning allows all girls to participate in every PE class and to work as a team to help each other improve. Understand, Progress, and Play!

Units of Study:

Volleyball, Skateboarding, Flag Football, Basketball, Fitness Stations (DDR, Ping Pong, Bowling, Speed Stacking, Hula Hoop & Jump Rope), Tennis, Lacrosse, African Dance, Soccer, Softball, Track and Field, Running