The Gray-New Gloucester Health & Physical Education Department

The Health Education and Physical Education Standards and performance indicators represent the essential knowledge and skills students need to be healthy individuals. Every day, students make decisions affecting their health and well-being: what foods to eat; what company to keep; what risks to take; and what to do for physical activity. These decisions often lead to habits that stay with them throughout life. The Health Education and Physical Education Standards will guide instruction that will help students make better decisions about their health. Through achievement of the Health Education and Physical Education Standards, students learn that their decisions can affect their health and set a pattern for their lives. Students also learn to protect their health by acquiring good information, by seeking good advice and friendships, and by taking responsibility for their own wellness which contributes to a healthy, active, balanced approach to life.

Health

Health education gives students the knowledge and skills to thrive physically, mentally, emotionally, and socially. It contributes to students’ ability to successfully practice behaviors that protect and promote health, and avoid and reduce health risks. Health education helps students to determine personal values and group norms that support healthy behaviors. Through comprehensive health education, students learn basic health concepts and influences on health. They develop the skills required to adopt, practice, and maintain health-enhancing and safe behaviors. These skills include: analyzing the reliability and validity of media and health resources; communicating effectively using refusal and conflict management skills; setting goals; and making healthy decisions. Health education helps students to be better consumers of information, manage stress, and make healthy decisions in the face of conflicting messages. It assists them in living healthier lives.

Physical Education

Physical education provides students with the skills and knowledge needed to support participation in a wide variety of physical activities that contribute to an active lifestyle. Physical education provides building blocks for skill development, skill analysis, physical fitness, stress reduction, decision-making, and positive social skills. Students learn to assess and set goals, evaluate their own physical fitness, and use the knowledge to maintain or improve their current fitness level. Students who participate in physical education on a regular basis learn the benefits of physical activity and its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.

OUTLINE OF HEALTH EDUCATION AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION STANDARDS AND PERFORMANCE INDICATOR LABELS

 

 

Updated September 21, 2018