Physical education

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Image:Gymnasium Instruction NGM-v31-p349.jpg In most educational systems, physical education (PE), also called physical training (PT) or gym, is a course in the curriculum which utilizes the learning medium of large-muscle activities in a play or movement exploration setting. It is almost always mandatory for students in elementary schools, and often for students in middle schools and high schools.

The primary aim of physical education is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, capacities, and values along with the enthusiasm to maintain a healthy lifestyle into adulthood, regardless of their physical abilities. Activities included in the program are designed to promote physical fitness, to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies, and to teach students to work as part of a team, or as individuals, in a wide variety of playlike and competitive activities.

1 Curriculum
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

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Curriculum

In the United States, the physical education curriculum is designed to allow students to experience at least a minimum exposure to the following categories of activities: aquatics, conditioning activities, gymnastics, individual/dual sports, team sports, and rhythms and dance. Students are encouraged to continue to explore those activities in which they have a primary interest. In these areas, a planned sequence of learning experiences is designed to support a progression of student development.

American physical education activities include:

American football, flag or touch
Aquatics
Archery
Badminton
Basketball
Conditioning activities, e.g., Jazzercise, Weight training
Dance and rhythmics, e.g., Square dancing
Field Hockey
Golf
Gymnastics
Low organized games, e.g., Capture the flag
Roller hockey
Soccer
Softball
Tennis
Track and field
Volleyball
Wrestling

In most states in the United States, physical education is a required course from grades 1 to 6, although school districts modify requirements (where allowed), and many districts with limited budgets cut back on physical education. About two dozen states required physical education in secondary schools in 2001.

In Canada, physical education is required up to grade 10, although some provinces are considering extending this to grade 12. In the United States, individual states determine the requirement for physical education in their schools; requirements in middle schools and high schools vary widely from state to state.

In France, physical education is required from age 6 to age 16 (mandatory schooling period). It is actually taught by specialized state teachers to all secondary school students, mostly in coeducational classes : 4 hours/week at age 11, 3 hours/week from age 12 to 15 and 2 hours/week from age 16 to 18. National programs and contents refer to the contemporary physical culture: sports, dance and circus.

In the United Kingdom, sports like netball, cricket and rugby are also played.

In Romania and Moldova, oina (which is similar to baseball), rugby, basketball and soccer are popular sports played in PE classes.

In New Zealand and Australia, softball, cricket, Australian rules football and sometimes rugby are played.

In Japan, physical education is more like what are known as health classes in the United States, although some Japanese high schools, especially in Hokkaido, have the commoner version.

In Sweden, sports like floorball and brännboll are played, along with internationally known sports such as soccer, basketball and volleyball.

In Spain, sports like soccer, basketball, handball and volleyball are played from primary education to bachillerato.

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References

Pérez García, Á., Molina Jiménez, J.A., Millán Galindo, J.D. "Spanish Education". 2005.
C. Jensen & S. Overman. Administration and Management of Physical Education and Athletic Programs. 4th edition. Waveland Press, 2003.
J. Stillwell & C. Willgoose. The Physical Education Curriculum. 5th edition. Waveland Press, 2002.
D. Siedentop. Introduction to Physical Education, Fitness, and Sport. McGraw Hill, 2003
D. Van Dalen. A World History of Physical Education: Cultural, Philosophical, Comparative. 2nd edition. Prentice-Hall, 1971.

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