Putting Classical Christian Education Into Motion!

Classical Christian education is alive and well in the gym. Our motto in Lower School Physical Education (P.E.) class is “Honor God Above the Game.” We strive every day to learn to control our emotions, to play fair, to follow the rules of the games, and to understand God placed us in community to play together, get exercise, accomplish goals, and have fun!

Bear Creek’s P.E. program is built upon the three stages of classical education: grammar, dialectic, and rhetoric. In the gym, classical methodology is applied, just as it is in the classroom, with students first learning the foundational skills of movement before applying their knowledge and skill base to playing sports competitively.

Grammar Stage in Lower School

In the grammar stage, P.E. teaches the fundamentals and skills for a variety of sports and activities and focuses on how to move our bodies in coordinated ways, especially the physical development of the students’ gross and fine motor skills.

We work on our students’ posture, flexibility, balance, footwork, coordination, strength (with focus on our core strength), and endurance. We are working towards building a strong confident child, not only in academics but in his or her physical capabilities as well.

In Lower School P.E. class, students also learn and practice the skills needed for field sports, such as baseball and softball. For example, in grade 1, students spend a few weeks learning how to throw properly. They learn to step into the athletic position, pivot into the throwing position with the opposite foot and arm toward the target, look at the target, and follow through after the ball is released. Once we have our throwing technique down, we build throwing into simple games.

When our students are in grade 4, we work on throwing to bases and cut-offs in a kickball game. We teach how the throwing motions transfer to other sports like volleyball (overhand throw) and bowling (underhand throw). Teaching throwing incrementally means that when students start playing any of the games that use throwing, they have the knowledge and skills to participate successfully.

We teach the proper running technique, including how to use our arms, how to hold our hands and head, and how to move our legs and feet. Learning proper form and technique will help students not only become better runners but also prevent injuries.

To prepare students for racket sports, such as pickleball and badminton, we work on athletic position, footwork, the proper way to grip a racket, and correct forehand and backhand technique. Students learn to rally and may even have low-level contests, all while they are working on the fundamentals.

Dialectic Stage in Middle School

In Middle School, students move into the dialectic stage of learning by applying the skills they have learned. In P.E. class, this means they work on putting together all those grammar skills into game play. Our goal is that our students can jump into a game comfortably and with confidence because they have learned the foundational skills in Lower School.

Rhetoric Stage in Upper School

In Upper School, the rhetoric stage of learning, students take all they have learned in the grammar and logic stages to play sports at a higher level. Our students have practiced the skills and played in games, now they use critical thinking skills to analyze game strategies, before and after games and during play.

Critical thinking is used to move their bodies in creative ways to accomplish their goals. This stair-step approach to Physical Education allows students to slowly build a foundation of skills from which they can draw as they enter the competitive environment of Middle School and Upper School sports.

Development of Virtue Across All Divisions

Virtue development is also an important part of a classical education. We grow in virtue in our P.E. classes by focusing on good sportsmanship, treating others with respect and kindness, and growing in resilience. Throughout all the physical work in P.E. class, we recognize that game play can sometimes be stressful, so students learn breathing exercises to calm themselves and help them focus.

We practice strategies that God taught us about temptation when we may want to bend the rules for an extra point. We dig deep when we are tired, get up when we fall, and pray when we need guidance. We celebrate others as they shine through sports. We smile when we accomplish a goal.

At Bear Creek, we teach students to keep “honoring God above the game” in the forefront of their minds so they remember what is truly important about sports and games.

About the Author

Michele Wyner started teaching at The Bear Creek School in 2006, and before that she taught in the Seattle and Shoreline School Districts. Mrs. Wyner loves building relationships with the students and the Bear Creek community. She also loves the joy in the students' faces when they learn something new, conquer a difficult task, or make new friends. Michele holds a B.S. Physical Education, Washington State University with a Minor in Health Education.