Instruction & Assesment

Class Instruction:

Every student develops: movement, fitness management, safety, and personal/social management skills for lifelong fitness and physical activity participation.

K- 8 Physical Education Classes are instructed by a Physical Education Specialist on a six day cycle.

• K, Five classes of instruction with specialist, totalling 100 minutes
• Grade 1-5, Five classes of instruction with specialist, totalling 150 minutes
• Grade 6, Five classes of instruction with specialist, totalling 150 minutes
• Grade 7/8, Four classes of instruction with specialist, totalling 160 minutes/cycle

Assesment:

Manitoba Schools Fitness Assessments are administered in the fall and spring for Nordale students in grades four to eight. This information is then shared with parents. The Leger Beep Test is also used to provide feedback in relation to Maximal Aerobic Power. Fitness information is placed in the classroom Student Portfolios for students in grades 5-8, and sent home with students in grade 4.

We have often been using opportunities to share information about student learning through the use of Skill Portfolios. In this situation we set up stations in the gymnasium for the various grade levels during the student-led conference nights in March. These stations serve as a snapshot of what is taking place in physical education classes. These skill portfolios serve as a hands-on opportunity for students to share some of their skill development with their parents.

Basic Motor Skills Assessments are utilized at the K - 3 levels, information is shared with parents in the fall and spring terms.

Fitness Assessments for students in grades 4-8 take place in the fall and spring terms. Goal setting takes place along with acquiring new knowledge in relation to fitness management. Reflection upon the goals takes place throughout the winter to see how students are working towards accomplishing their goals. Information is shared with parents in each individual's classroom portfolio.

Rubrics (number scale system) involves a battery of tools are used to assess factors such as: Safety, Personal and Social Management (Fair Play, Cooperation), and Movement/Physical Skills.

Student Assessment is based on the outcomes of: Demonstration and Knowledge of Movement Skills, Personal Fitness Management/Development, Demonstration and knowledge of Safety Concepts. These outcomes are reported for students and parent on the LRSD Report Card.

Technology in Physical Education

Within the Physical Education Program at Nordale School, there is an opportunity for students to explore the use of heart rate monitors. These devices, which are worn during periods of physical activity, provide feedback regarding an individual's heart rate.

These devices serve as a method of motivation for students, as well, they assist in providing knowledge about fitness. Following a workout most of these heart rate monitors can recall the workout to provide further feedback (i.e. time spent in, above and below target heart rate zone). Currently, twenty-four such devices are available for student use.

Some of the heart rate monitors will download onto a computer for print copy as feedback in the form of graphs.