The Curriculum Corner: P.E. in the Lower School

Physical education (P.E.) offers a chance for Cathedral School for Boys students to develop their motor skills, team building, and social collaborative skills in a safe and structured environment.

For kindergarten and first grade we concentrate on cooperative games that help build strong social connections with their peers. We also build a solid foundation of skills (throwing, catching, running, kicking, and body coordination) that enable boys to feel confident playing any game. Boys play a wide variety of small games (tag games, dancing, obstacle courses, etc.) that keep them engaged and extremely active during class.

In second through fourth grade, we continue to develop the boys' skills, concentrating

more on proper technique. Students also begin to play competitive games that will

enhance their cooperation and strategy skills. Our classes discuss topics,

like fairness and perseverance, that help guide the boys to make good choices during

games.

Each P.E. class starts out with three to four warm-up activities. These activities range from short tag games, to jumping jacks and stretches. We then move into a skill-building game that helps boys prepare for the main game of the day, which will remain the focus of the class for about a week. At the end of class, the boys circle up and give “shout outs” to other students that they felt did a good job in playing the game, following the rules, being a good team member, or showing great sportsmanship. Finally, boys participate in two to three cool-down activities, such as breathing exercises or stretching, to get themselves ready to transition back to class and sportsmanship stickers for the day are handed out.

We focus a lot on the boys' social interactions with one another. We talk

about how to be a good sport, teammate, and friend - even in intense situations. We

continuously discuss the best ways to resolve small conflicts and how to communicate

effectively with one another.

Over the year, Lower School P.E. classes will also have units on how to be healthy boys; discussing and creating projects about healthy eating, exercise, hygiene, and sleeping habits. Cathedral School for Boys strives, through its P.E. curriculum, for all boys to be well-rounded athletes who demonstrate great sportsmanship, and who can make healthy choices for themselves.

If you have questions, or would like to learn more about P.E. in the Lower School, please contact Jason Thomas.