Warrior Wellness: An inside look at Willowbrook’s Adapted Physical Education classes

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By Willowbrook physical education teachers Rachel Karos and Anthony Gebhart

Willowbrook students are working hard every day to become more educated with their health and wellness, and we are thrilled to feature those accomplishments through this monthly column.

In this edition of Warrior Wellness, the Physical Education Department is proud to highlight its Adapted Physical Education classes. Adapted classes consist of physical education that has been modified, so it’s as appropriate for a person with a disability as it is for a person without a disability.

Throughout first semester, our student-centered curriculum has focused on improving general fitness, awareness, balance, locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills and manipulation skills in an environment that promotes lifelong fitness. These principles were developed with a teamwork-based framework in mind that encourages students to engage with others to create an enlightening and respectful environment. The program was built on the foundations of student motivation, student responsibility, engagement in social interaction and social skill development.

Students in this class receive direct instruction and feedback from their classmates, students who serve as PE leaders, teacher aides and teachers. The goal is for students to give their best effort and have fun – and we have been having a blast! Students regularly participate in activities that are built on fluid transitions and focused cues such as Cosmic Bowling, Toilet Paper Mummy Races, Sharks and Minos, the Brockport Physical Fitness Test, Battleship, Protect the Pins, Frisbee Golf, Rotation Centers, Hungry Hippos, Superhero Obstacle Course, Haunted House, Tennis, Soccer, Basketball, Badminton and Football.

We are incredibly proud of our students’ successes and look forward to what they will continue to accomplish.

• The Warrior Wellness column provides an inside look into the physical education, health and driver education classes at Willowbrook. This monthly feature highlights what students are working on in class, as well as student successes in those departments.