From Wikipedia,
the free encyclopedia.
In most educational systems,
physical education (PE), also
called physical training (PT)
or gym, is a course in the
curriculum which utilizes the
learning medium of large-muscle
activities in a play or movement
exploration setting. It is almost
always mandatory for students in
elementary schools, and often
for students in
middle schools and
high schools.
The primary aim of physical
education is to equip students
with the knowledge, skills,
capacities, and values along with
the enthusiasm to maintain a
healthy lifestyle into adulthood,
regardless of their physical
abilities. Activities included in
the program are designed to
promote physical fitness, to
develop motor skills, to instill
knowledge and understanding of
rules, concepts, and strategies,
and to teach students to work as
part of a team, or as individuals,
in a wide variety of playlike and
competitive activities.
Physical education is not so
much education of the
physical, as education through
the physical.
The better programs require, or
encourage, participants to wear
standardized uniforms or
loose-fitting, light clothing that
promotes free movement, safety and
hygiene.
Curriculum
In the
United States, the physical
education curriculum is designed
to allow students to experience at
least a minimum exposure to the
following categories of
activities: aquatics, conditioning
activities, gymnastics,
individual/dual sports, team
sports, and rhythms and dance.
Students are encouraged to
continue to explore those
activities in which they have a
primary interest. In these areas,
a planned sequence of learning
experiences should support a
progression of development.
Some popular American physical
education activities include:
In most states and provinces in
Canada and the United States,
physical education is a required
course from grades 1 to 6,
although states and
school districts can set their
own requirements (and many
districts with limited budgets are
cutting back on physical
education).
In Canada, physical education
is required up to grade 10,
although some provinces are
considering extending this to
grade 12. In the United States,
individual states determine the
requirement for physical education
in their schools; requirements in
middle schools and high schools
vary widely from state to state.
In the
United Kingdom, sports like
netball,
cricket and
rugby are also played.
In
Romania and
Moldova,
oina (which is similar to
baseball), rugby, basketball and
soccer are popular sports played
in PE classes.
In
New Zealand and
Australia,
softball, cricket,
Australian rules football and
sometimes rugby are played.
In
Japan, physical education is
more like what are known as
health classes in the United
States, although some Japanese
high schools, especially in
Hokkaido, have the commoner
version.
In
Sweden, sports like
floorball and
brännboll are played, along
with internationally known sports
such as soccer, basketball and
volleyball.
In
Spain, sports like soccer,
basketball,
handball and volleyball are
played from primary education to
bachillerato.
