The benefits of Physical Education are undisputed – young bodies need to move to be healthy. At Catalyst Academy, we use PE class to teach our scholars that their bodies can grow and achieve right along with their brains. PE benefits students both physically and mentally – when students move their bodies, they focus their minds. Exercise has been shown to relieve anxiety and increase concentration, both of which help scholars achieve academically.
Active participation in PE class happens four times a week at Catalyst Academy. Students are having fun playing kickball, dancing, golfing, bowling, doing gymnastics and running relays, and all the while, they are developing their motor skills, developing confidence in what their bodies can do, and learning to practice until they achieve the muscle memory for a new skill.
One of the most popular activities in our PE class is the obstacle course. This obstacle course challenges our scholars to use their new and developing motor skills, as well as problem solve how to accomplish the course. No two steps of the course are the same, which encourages students to be creative and try new things.
Completing the obstacle course quickly rarely happens on the first, or even second, try, which is by design. We give our students the opportunity to try, fail, try again, and eventually conquer the physical skills needed to complete the course quickly. Every run through the obstacle course is a chance to grow. Completing the course rewards their persistence and grit, both things that kids need to succeed in school and life.
The confidence and pride our scholars feel after completing the course quickly is evident in their smiles and enthusiasm to run the course again. Their achievements in PE class may just feel like fun, but they are some of the most useful lessons they will learn at Catalyst Academy.
About Catalyst
Catalyst Academy Charter School’s mission is to prepare all students for college, career, and life. Catalyst Academy Charter School’s core values of Belong. Grow. Achieve. reflect the school’s deep commitment to cultivating an inclusive supportive school community where everyone – children and adults – is focused on learning every day, in order for all students to define and achieve their dreams. Catalyst Academy Charter School’s education model is designed to close both the achievement and opportunity gap. The approach couples rigorous core academics with a broad offering in the arts and sciences. Students will experience STEM learning daily and arts programming four days per week. Enroll your Kinder, first or second grader today!
