Monday, October 5, 2009

HSLDA Message: Physical Education?


Physical education falls under the elective category on the high school transcript. One to two years of credit are usually adequate for most high school programs (but check your state homeschool requirements and specific college requirements for any exceptions). Evaluate credit for PE by logging 120 hours for one credit, 60 hours for one-half credit, and so forth. For many families, awarding a pass/fail grade is the easiest way to go for this elective. However,you may choose to award a letter grade so you can include this elective in your teen's grade point average. In order to assess a grade for PE, check out PE Central's website for information about lesson plans and assessment tests Additional activity ideas can be found here.

You will be encouraged to know that it's not necessary to expend a lot of money on equipment, programs, or trainers to accumulate PE credit.Rather, a variety of activities can be bundled together to accumulate hours. If your family enjoys the outdoors, hiking or biking on a beautiful fall day will be a great way to begin. Then consider adding a game of touch football in the backyard--maybe inviting the neighbors--followed by a barbeque. Continue to add other physical activities while keeping track of the hours. You may want to give the responsibility of logging hours (in 15 minute increments) to your
teen.

If your son or daughter is a member of a sports team, accumulating hours for credit will be quite easy. (Remember, though, if you are using this activity for credit, you may not want to include it as
extracurricular at the same time.) Or, if your teen is training for a marathon or triathlon, then keep a record of that time. Other activities to use for PE include martial arts or dance classes, gymnastics, fencing, bowling, aerobics, and many more.

Sometimes, it's possible to fulfill PE credit in the summertime freeing up the academic year for another elective. Swimming, boating, jogging, walking, and team sports are all ways to earn credit. It's not too late to calculate the hours your teens spent in such activities this past summer to include on their transcripts.

During the months of winter (or periods of inclement weather) when it's cozier to stay indoors, a physical fitness program can be designed to keep those muscles toned and tummies flat. Exercise videos borrowed from the library may be a good option for you to use indoors. A side benefit will be clear and energetic minds to complete those academic studies.

Last, why not join your teens in their physical fitness activities? You'll benefit from the exercise and it will be an opportunity to show your teens that physical fitness is not only a high school course but also a beneficial lifetime pursuit. Brisk walks outdoors either before your school day begins or as the last activity of the afternoon are a great way to spend time with your teen and also provide opportunities for communication--all the while adding up the phys ed hours. How's that for multi-tasking? 



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