Ogletree Elementary School

Ogletree Elementary School is one of 5 elementary schools in the Auburn City School system, Alabama. Two physical education teachers and a teaching assistant who is certified in physical education provide a dynamic, daily physical education program to 598 students in first through fifth grade. Students attend daily physical education classes for 30 minutes. The program reflects three main goals; for the children to become skilled movers, develop an understanding of what healthy living means, and incorporate many resources to help students be motivated and excited about moving and being physically active. Their motto for students is to become "Great at a few, good at many, have some experience in all." To reach these goals they teach movement to develop mastery and teach learnable pieces (cues). The program is aligned with Alabama and NASPE National Standards, using Moving into the Future as a guide.

The students are challenged with many, varied practice opportunities. To continue to foster high interest, the program offers a variety of equipment, special events (Scary PE Week, Mardi Gras Games) and grade level special curricular focus units (3 – All-Star Circus, orienteering, 4th and 5th – flag football, bicycle safety, canoe paddling). A unique aspect of the program is a special fitness- focus lesson one day a week. Using aspects of a program they developed called Health Lab, students in first and second grade are exposed to Heart Power, a program designed by the American Heart Association. Third graders participate in a lab called Anatomy of the Heart and begin testing with Fitnessgram. Fourth and fifth graders use the Health Lab sessions to deepen their understanding and applications of the FITT Principle. Turning their attention to lifelong fitness and physical activity, students in fourth and fifth grade are exposed to the Sport Ed model to receive instruction and related skill practice. They also participate in individual activities of golf, tennis and Frisbee golf.

A particular highlight is to celebrate the passion of Auburn University in the fourth season – "football season", by having the students earn the opportunity to participate in the annual "Super Bowl". Earning the right to play in this is not based on game-winning percentages, but rather a complex 13 point rubric system. A highlight is the halftimes cheers created and performed by the other students. The physical education program continues after-school as well through the Ogletree PALS2 Club (Persons Always Living Physically Active Lifestyles), Red Ribbon Run, Pass-Punt-Kick Contest, Canoe and Campout Club (grades 3 – 5), Holiday Winter Workout and Jump Rope for Heart. The physical education staff has received community support through the Civitan Club (bike safety program, facilitated bike paths built through community); Chewacla State Park (water safety and canoeing), and Auburn University (student athletes speak to classes). The physical education in this school is viewed with respect by administrators and parents. The physical education teachers are able to make the case that physical education is an important discipline in students' lives