We all know that physical fitness is a vital component in leading a healthy lifestyle. However, Physical Education class at RMS not only helps students maintain fitness, develop motor skills and muscular strength (while improving cardiovascular health), but also often improves learning in other areas. At Rowntree Montessori Schools, Phys-Ed class is an important part of the curriculum, and encompasses many teachable elements. Not only are there many competitive sports teams at RMS, such as soccer or track and field for students to participate in, but we also offer non competitive sports clubs such as cricket or basketball.
Our Physical Education teachers design and lead many fitness drills, demonstrate sports techniques and highlight a different sport each month, all year long, so that students get a good grasp of many different sports. Fitness assessments take place three times per year, where students are encouraged to build their stamina through beep tests, build their strength with push-ups, improve core strength with sit ups and work on their flexibility through a plethora of exercises. Various health topics are also taught in Phys-Ed class to students, including oral hygiene, personal hygiene, personal safety, body movement and body systems (for example the respiratory system, the nervous system, the digestive system).
Students at RMS in all grades learn many positive attributes from learning about sports and fitness that carry over into their overall academic performance. For example, in Phys-Ed class we teach positive values such as sportsmanship, teamwork and honesty, and skills such as striving for best personal performance, positive self-esteem and group participation. We believe that learning values and skills important in one area of study can help another. For example, maintaining good sportsmanship is taught in all Phys-Ed classes, and is also extremely beneficial in all other academic areas, especially when working in teams. We also see that participating in team sports is a good way of building positive self-esteem and confidence. In all grades, self-esteem is very important for students to do their best thinking and to increase interactions with teachers and other students. Students that believe in themselves seem far more able to ask more questions, and are willing to work hard to find the answers when needed.
According to an article posted by All Gymnastics University, “sports and Physical Education are a great way of teaching discipline and the value of hard work. As with most things in life, there are no shortcuts. Any athlete, regardless of their level, has to work hard to improve and reach his or her full potential.” This is true not only for our Physical Education classes, but for many areas within our curriculum. When students learn good principles like discipline, grit or resilience in one subject, such as Physical Education, it can often be carried over to other areas with proper direction and nurturing from teachers and mentors.