How can we engage ourselves in activities using multiple sports? How can we push our bodies to new limits in regard to fitness? These are the topics 11th and 12th grade students at Clemente are exploring in Physical Education.
Clemente students are currently in a Hybrid Games and Fitness unit, where they will be playing a number of games that incorporate more than one sport. The students participate in warm-up activities when entering the gym, getting themselves ready for the intensive and competitive games to follow; they then transition into skill and fitness stations. This week, the stations were planks, free throws, two-ball, and interval running. This conditioning has given the students multiple opportunities to refine the athletic skills needed for Spasketball. Spasketball is a fast-paced game combining skills from Basketball and Soccer, two of our Wildcats’ favorite sports; this hybrid sport challenges them to extend their skills beyond the court or the field.
Moreover, IB students have now begun using the weight room once a week, allowing them to explore different forms of exercise and learn the correct physical forms for execution. They are also learning the difference between reps (repetitions) and sets, as well as the appropriate number of reps and sets to complete for each exercise. Activity levels have been increasing and the physical education teachers are expecting them to improve as the semester continues. As their knowledge of physical fitness grows, students are being equipped with wellness skills that will last beyond high school.
Next on the horizon, students will be setting new second semester fitness goals, which will vary from increasing strength and speed to achieving weight loss.. Students will then discuss how they can meet their goals and begin designing fitness plans that they will complete weekly, tracking their progress in class and outside of class. The PE department is also extremely excited to try out some new technology equipment to get more kids moving in the form of dance!
Spring is right around the corner and Clemente has plenty of athletes participating in Sports; we are working to bring athletics to the next level. The PE teachers are also hoping to expose our scholars to many more opportunities for lifelong fitness to help them maintain healthy and active lifestyles!