Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Physical Education Montessori-Style--At Home?

I went and did some searching after my last post. Specifically, I went to the Montessori High School at University Circle site to start with and looked at their curriculum for grade 9/10 phys. ed. Here is what they had to say:

Physical Education is a comprehensive program focused on the education of the mental, physical, and social well-being of the individual. Throughout the course, each student strives to achieve the basic skills and fitness needed to develop and enjoy a healthy lifestyle.

With access to a fully equipped gym, students are able to familiarize themselves with various machines. Students may choose a different PE focus each quarter. Offerings include workouts at the fitness center, basketball, swimming, urban hiking, soccer, yoga, and skiing, and may vary by season.

The Health course is devoted to student exploration of physical, mental, and emotional wellness. It is taught by several faculty members. Students study healthy habits for wellness, nutrition (with a hands-on component when working with our culinary arts specialist in the kitchen), mental health, human sexuality, epidemiology, sports science, and the impact of medicine and drugs on human health. 

 http://www.montessorihighschool.org/about-mhs/the-mhs-curriculum/9th-10th-grade-curriculum/

As much as I love this Montessori-style approach, how can we apply it in a home situation where the fully equipped gym needs to be driven to and has fees that add up substantially with frequent visits?

I kept looking and didn't quite find something helpful for phys. ed. at home in Montessori fashion, but this site I'm finding absolutely amazing and I wish I'd had this years ago:  http://teacherweb.com/ON/MA/juniorhigh/apt57.aspx

There are all sorts of links on the left with the phys. ed./health curriculum info being in the "Program and Courses" section. But don't just stop there; there's a lot of great stuff in the links (including in the "Responsibilities of the Month" section). I should add it to the Adolescent Resources section if not already there.

As I try to bring my mind back to Montessori and the issue at hand, the thing that I've recommended to many over the years is now being said by part of my brain to me: work with the child. It doesn't matter that the child in question is 14. I need to work with him, present him with options, have him research as applicable, make it an expectation and follow through.

If all else fails, I drag him out of bed at 6:30 in the morning and have him do Tracy Anderson videos with me. ;)


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