The Traveling School

Health Enhancement combines the disciplines of “health” and “physical education” into a single curriculum with its focus on health-related outcomes. Health is essential to a quality of life and leads directly to improve learning. Health enhancement develops the skills and behaviors necessary for students to become healthy, productive citizens who take personal responsibility for their own well-being as well as a social responsibility for the health of their community. Early initiation of healthy behaviors is a predictor of enhanced school performance as well as less risk for morbidity and premature mortality in adulthood. Health enhancement is a critical component of the educational process.

Participation with The Traveling School requires a commitment to physical fitness.  Working-out makes students feel strong, stay healthy, and helps them focus physically and mentally.  All students are required to participate with daily physical fitness activities during the program, with exceptions made for illness. In health, lifestyle and personal evaluation, knowledge attainment and synthesis, decision-making skills and goal setting are the objective.

Activities may include: hiking, backpacking, snorkeling, mountain biking, yoga, swimming, surfing, bush-walking, horseback riding, Ultimate Frisbee, white-water rafting, weight lifting, running, long-distance trekking, mountaineering, and more.

In addition to physical activities, students are required to attend a weekly Nutrition class. Topics and objectives include: Exercise; Cardiovascular Health; Injury Prevention; Dietary Analysis and Food Labels; Recommended Nutrient Intakes; Sports Nutrition; Weight Management; Eating Disorders; Body Image; Human Sexuality; Sexual Assault; Nutrition and Disease Prevention; Energy Balance; Physiological and Sociological Effects of Alcohol, Narcotics, Drugs, and Tobacco Use; Stress Management; Mentoring and Peers and more.

 

 

Assessment for all PE and Nutrition Courses:

A graduating student at the advanced level in health enhancement demonstrates superior performance. She:
(a) demonstrates high levels of competency in a variety of physical activities;
(b) demonstrates understanding of scientific principles of physical fitness and the relationships to total well-being, and applies that information in developing personal wellness during different periods of life;
(c) initiates independent personal and social behaviors and takes both leadership and following roles as situations determine;
(d) thoroughly analyzes, evaluates, and articulates opinions concerning personal and social health issues;
(e) effectively utilizes strategies to overcome barriers in social situations; and
(f) forms a comprehensive plan for healthful living.

Learner Outcomes:

1. All students have a basic knowledge and understanding of concepts that promote comprehensive health.
2. All students demonstrate competency in a variety of movement forms.
3. All students apply movement concepts and principles while learning and developing motor skills.
4. All students achieve and maintain a challenging level of health-related physical fitness.
5. All students demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking and decision making to enhance health.
6. All students demonstrate interpersonal communication skills to enhance health.
7. All students demonstrate health-enhancing behaviors. All students will engage in conversation, provide and obtain information, express feelings and emotions, and exchange opinions.