Distance Learning Physical Conditioning Course Description

Class: Physical Conditioning *Edited for Distance Learning*
Instructor: Coach Stricker                                                                    

E-mail: matthew_stricker@myfsd.org
Website

Physical Conditioning class is designed to empower students to achieve high levels of physical fitness through individual and group exercise as they learn and implement essential components of a physically fit lifestyle.  In addition, students will receive direct instruction in specific movements and activities that safely promote cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, quickness and agility, and overall physical wellness.

Expectations

Students are expected to participate each day in class activities.  This includes logging into Zoom each day and following the Parks Physical Conditioning Expectations for Digital Learning (See below)

Dress Code

School dress code applies to all live Zoom sessions. On days that require physical activity, students must wear activewear. This includes: a crew-neck T-shirt or a sweatshirt,, shorts (that cover at least half of the thigh - students are allowed to wear leggings, but must wear shorts on top) or sweatpants, and closed-toe athletic shoes.  Attire must not display any content that is not consistent with accepted school-appropriate guidelines.

Equipment

Because students will not have access to equipment in our classroom, most exercises will be performed using bodyweight.  We will use some common household items such as but not limited to backpacks, soccer balls or basketballs, books, or water bottles.  We will not be using gym equipment during distance learning (such as dumbbells, barbells, medicine balls etc.) even if equipment is available for use at the student’s home. Due to safety concerns and issues of equity, only items approved by the instructor will be suitable for class use.

Procedures 

The semester will be broken up into 5-day segments that go as follows:

*Days 1-4 do not necessarily correlate to days of the week

Each day the students will receive direct instruction in regarding exercise form and technique.  They will also be given time to workout, performing those exercises during class time.  The students will need to complete the required exercises in front of the camera on their devices in order to receive credit for participation, and to receive feedback from the instructor.  

*On Wednesdays, students will be sent the lesson on Google Classroom to complete during the day at the student’s leisure.  The instructor will offer three different Wednesday sessions for those students who wish to complete a workout with the instructor or other students via Zoom (if they have not been requested by other core class teachers), although participation in the Zoom meeting is not required unless directed by the instructor.

Grading

Students will have the opportunity to earn 2 participation points each day (10 points for a complete 5-day week).  Points are earned by entering the meeting on time, wearing appropriate attire for exercise, remaining actively involved for the entire class, and of course, completing the day’s fitness activities.  Sometimes completing a simple written assignment, usually in the form of a Google Form, is also required to earn the day’s participation points.

*Wednesday’s points will be earned by turning in the appropriate form after completing the day’s activity.  Wednesday lessons and subsequent instructions will always be sent to students via Google Classroom before 8:00am on Wednesday morning. 

In addition, students will complete a maximum of 3 Performance Assessments throughout the course of the semester.  PA’s are worth 30 points each.  Students will demonstrate proficiency in different exercises that are taught in class, while also explaining how to properly execute the exercises and detailing the muscles groups targeted by the movements.  See the rubric below:  

Grading breakdown

                72% - Participation

                28% - Performance Assessments              

Final grades are then expressed by dividing the total points earned by the total points possible. 

Grading scale

                      90% - 100% =  A                                

                      80% - 89%  =   B

                      70% - 79%  =   C

                      60% - 69%  =   D

                      00% - 59%  =   F

*Grades will not be sent through nor stored on Google Classroom.  Please check Powerschool for grades.

Attendance

Attendance is required.  It is the responsibility of the student to email the teacher to notify of any absence and missed work.  A student that is absent from a live Zoom session must still complete the daily assignment/coursework by 11:59 pm to earn participation credit.

Additional Information

If a student is unable to participate in the physical activity portion of class due to injury or illness, he/she must email a scan or a photo of a note specifying the injury that is signed by a parent/guardian.  Emails must be received by 7:45 am on the day of the excusal request.  If an injury persists over a one-week period, a doctor’s note is mandatory in order to be excused from activity.

Students are not permitted to leave the Zoom meeting until formally dismissed by the instructor.  Leaving the meeting early will result in loss of participation points.

Donations

Although I realize that we are not meeting in the Team Room at this time, I still wanted to bring attention to our “Donations” section.  Donations have been instrumental in building our Fitness Room at Parks.

Maintaining a Fitness Room at the junior high level costs money.  We are excited for the equipment that we have, but we are always looking to add more.  In addition, the high usage rate of our equipment means that pieces often wear out or break.  Donations of any amount are eagerly accepted and appreciated.  If you would like to donate to enhance and maintain the Fitness Room here at Parks, please send a check made out to “Parks Jr. High” and write “Physical Conditioning” on the memo line, or clink on this link to visit our “Wish List” page on the classroom website. Donations are not required as part of the course.