McCarthy-Towne Physical Education Philosophy

The physical education program at McCarthy-Towne is designed to increase mutual support and trust within groups and to develop individual self-confidence, leadership, physical skills, cooperation, and physical development. Students participate in small-group games, large-group games, creative movements, equipment exploration, fitness activities, sport skills. They integrate other subjects with movement, and try a variety of Project Adventure activities. Units and activities are selected and adjusted to match the needs and development of each particular age group.

A typical day in physical education may look like...

Kindergarteners doing range-of-motion warm-ups. They move various joints in circles. This could be ankle circles, trunk circles, or arm circles.

1st Graders meeting in the middle circle listening to the plan for the day. It could be a math lesson mixed with bean bags. They throw them, estimate how many steps away they land, count the actual steps, and figure out the difference.

2nd Graders exploring all the different ways they can use a hula hoop, besides around their waist. Some may be rolling, spinning, balancing, or even using it like a jump rope.

3rd Graders playing a parachute game called Sharks and Lifeguards.

4th Graders exercising in a fitness circuit using jump ropes, medicine balls, step-aerobic steps, strength bands, and an agility ladder.

5th Graders trying to solve a cooperative challenge called Escape from the Chocolate Factory.

6th Graders belaying each other in belay teams on the climbing wall.

Sneaker Policy

Proper shoes are required in order to participate in physical education. If students do not have proper shoes they will be asked to sit out and/or given an alternative activity. Due to the wide variety of footwear available, shoes appropriate for physical education must meet these specifications.

• The bottom of the shoe is flat.
• The bottom is made of rubber.
• The shoe stays on without falling off.