Course Descriptions

Health Classes

Health Education – ½ credit

This semester course incorporates the knowledge and use of life skills that have been proven to be a deterrent to high risk behavior.  Skills are emphasized as content areas in diet, fitness, disease prevention, drugs and sex are covered.  Students will acquire an understanding of health concepts and decision making skills that will improve, sustain and promote physical, mental and social health.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Health diploma requirement.    

Physical Education Classes

Physical Education – ½ credit

This course is created for students who enjoy both competitive and non-competitive sports and activities.    Students will improve their fitness levels while participating in both competitive and non-competitive environments where learning and cooperation are stressed.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Adaptive Physical Education – ½ credit

Classes are available for those students unable to participate in the regular program because of medical limitations.  Students are provided with an individual program in a small group environment when necessary.  Where possible, students with special needs are provided with a mainstream experience.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Modern Dance – ½ credit

This is a beginning level dance course.   The term Modern Dance was used in the 1930’s when many dancers wanted to break out of the traditional and strict forms of ballet.  Modern Dance allows a dancer to move through the space with more freedom while increasing strength, flexibility and gracefulness.  Enjoy the spirit of moving through space!  Learn how to jump, turn and fall to the floor.  No experience necessary.

 Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Choreography – ½ credit

Advanced skills such as improvisation, choreographic form, observation and analysis, and performance are learned through group work and creative problem-solving.  This course is for students who want an opportunity to create their own work, based on various structures that the teacher provides.  Each student will find his/her ?voice? in movement. Prerequisite:  Modern Dance or prior approval of the teacher.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Multicultural Dance – ½ credit

This is a beginning level dance course exploring dances from all over the world.  Dance styles studies include African, Latin, Ballroom and Partner dance, along with Chinese, Irish and Indian Dance.  Taking this course is a fun and creative way to learn about the peoples of our world.  No experience necessary.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Ballet – ½ credit

This course introduces dance students to Ballet, an old and most beautiful, highly skilled art form.  Dance exercises are done at the barre or center floor and across the floor.  Ballet gets the dancer strong and graceful, improving flexibility, posture and overall grace.  Beginners are most welcome.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Weight Training – ½ credit

The weight training course focuses on resistance training and other training principles as a means of increasing strength, endurance and cardiovascular fitness.  The major objective of this course is to provide students the opportunity to improve their self-esteem and physical fitness levels through the use of a variety of training exercises.  Upon completion of this course a student should have the basic knowledge to create a good workout program that he or she can follow for a lifetime of activity.  Emphasis is placed on using both free weights and machines in conjunction with a training program.  Along with resistance training, other activities include plyometrics, aerobics and rope jumping.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Functional Fitness – ½ credit

This physical education elective is for students interested in increasing their knowledge about wellness and the status of their personal health.  Students will be actively engaged in age and gender specific physical fitness testing and training to promote increased endurance, strength, flexibility and agility.  Healthy nutrition practices is another important component of the course.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Lifelong Athletics – ½ credit

This course is for students who enjoy individual activities and puts strong emphasis on developing and maintaining personal performance of lifelong activities such as badminton, tennis, golf, archery, yoga, Pilates, bocce, bowling, orienteering, weight training and self defense. This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Outdoor Education (RHS ONLY) – ½ credit

This course is designed to teach the student an appreciation of the great outdoors.  Units covered in this course will include orienteering, topography map reading skills, backpacking, hiking, camping, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, archery, snowshoeing and rock climbing.  This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement. 

Competitive Team Sports A (for 11th and 12th Graders only) – ½ credit

This course offers a more competitive alternative to the general physical education setting.  Students will learn history and rules for football, basketball, volleyball and softball and participate in a tournament at the end of each unit.  This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Competitive Team Sports B (for 11th and 12th Graders only) – ½ credit

This course offers a more competitive alternative to the general physical education setting.  Students will learn history and rules for soccer, floor hockey, team handball and lacrosse and participate in a tournament at the end of each unit.  This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Fitness and Cooperative Sport Skills – ½ credit

This course is created for students who enjoy sports and activities yet do not wish to be competitive.    Students will improve their fitness levels while participating in team sports in a non-competitive environment where learning and cooperation are stressed.  This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.  

Cardioyogalates – ½ credit

This is a fully integrated physical conditioning course featuring cardiovascular, muscular strength and flexibility training.  By incorporating yoga, Pilates and aerobic conditioning into the curriculum, students will focus on all aspects of fitness and improve their overall physical health.  This course is also designed to help implement the physical education profile.

Fulfills ½ credit of the Physical Education diploma requirement.