Junior School
Physical education in the Junior School meets the physical needs of the child and the need for movement experiences, challenges and play. It develops a desire for daily physical activity and encourages constructive use of free time and participation in physical activities in adult life. To fulfill these goals, physical education is built on the principles of variety and diversity, not of specialization. It provides a wide variety of movement activities appropriate to the level of development of the child.
The Junior A to Junior Four Physical Education curriculum is focused on skill development and overall fitness for each grade level. Skills such as ball handling, manipulation of equipment, locomotive movement and spatial awareness are developed in an enjoyable and supportive atmosphere. The fitness component of the curriculum includes the development of speed, endurance, flexibility, agility and strength.
Physical Education teachers' planning includes age-appropriate content and teaching strategies. Throughout the program, activities are chosen with regard to the diverse learning needs of Junior School students. There is a progression of skills throughout the curriculum, thus allowing students to practice and refine at each grade level. Also important are the social skills that allow students to perform in a cooperative and appropriate manner when involved in group or individual activities.
Junior A, Junior One and Junior Two
The focus of the Junior School program is age-appropriate activity, with carefully sequenced skill development in a spirit of cooperation. In the lower Junior School, the students study developmental units in the areas of manipulative, movement, fitness and personal/social development. Manipulative involves the development of key skills such as throwing, catching, striking, kicking and dribbling in initially static, then more dynamic movements and practices. Movement involves the development of loco motor, and non-loco motor skills, as well as the development of rhythm and balance in gymnastic and dance type activities. The hope is that students develop a range of transferable and foundational skills, knowledge and concepts that will allow for future skills and success to be built on. Fitness is a key aspect in the early years where we are developing both the study of concepts and skills. Personal and social development is a reflection of the UNIS values in action through physical education.
Areas covered are: games, dance, gymnastics, track and field.
Junior Three and Junior Four
By the upper Junior School, students apply skills in more depth and frequently work with partners and in small groups on game/sport related tasks and activities. They are further developing the basic skills and knowledge that have developed in the earlier years, applying them to specific sports. Students are encouraged to recognize how skills and concepts can be transferred from activity to activity through a variety of small sided games that are conditioned appropriately to the grade level. They are developing the appreciation of being a performer and spectator and developing more of a critical eye to evaluate their own and other students' performances. Fitness activities are integrated in every lesson and are assessed a number of times throughout the year, allowing the students to start setting personal yet challenging targets.
Areas covered are: games (soccer, basketball, volleyball, fielding and striking games, e.g., softball), dance, gymnastics, track and field.