American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

 Issue: August 2005

Developing a Lifetime Adventure-Skills Curriculum: The Southeast Alaska Model
Timothy J. Wallstrom

Abstract:
This article describes how the Southeast Island School District (SISD) developed an adventure-based lifetime-fitness curriculum in their school district. Although the district does not employ a single certified physical education specialist, content experts and support from the school district helped teachers to develop a curriculum that embodied the national standards. Adventure activities were selected based on criteria that included historical appropriateness, cultural appropriateness, health-enhancing potential, and adaptability to cross-curricular lesson plans. Due to the training received as a result of this project, teachers expressed increased feelings of confidence in their ability to teach meaningful physical education classes. The dramatic and positive changes in attitudes among the teachers bode well for the future of physical education in the SISD. Furthermore, the successful results attained through these activities over the span of a single year demonstrate the powerful changes that can be made when teachers and administrators share a common vision. This project was supported by funding from a Carol M. White Physical Education Program Grant from the Department of Education Office of Safe and Drug Free Schools.

Article category: Curriculum