Physical development is education of, by, and through human movement. Urbana Middle School physical development classes are taught with these goals in mind: supporting the preparation of the whole student, mentally, physically, socially and emotionally to lead an active and useful life in society. Our physical education program aims to develop in our students an optimum level of physical fitness and skill performance, to help our students find enjoyment in participation in physical activities, and to develop a knowledge and understanding of the importance of continuing, and a desire to continue, physical activity for life. Physical development classes meet daily at all three grade levels. Every class begins with a warm-up for activity, instruction in skills, and knowledge of rules and phrases related to the activity. An emphasis on fitness completes the curriculum. During seventh grade, one semester of health and one semester of physical development complete the year.

General objectives for the sixth grade program include the provision of opportunities to increase skill levels in sports activities; to increase the range of skills in activities without high degrees of specialization; to improve cardiovascular fitness; to enable students to organize and play games under their own leadership; to appreciate, promote, and encourage those classmates of differing abilities to concentrate on the process rather than the outcome in games; to encourage students to acquire safety skills and habits which develop awareness; and to be able to treat victory and defeat equally. Students are exposed to basketball, volleyball, softball, jump rope activities, tumbling, indoor and outdoor active games, dance, swimming, pickle ball, soccer, track & field, and fitness in fall and spring to ascertain their physical progress.

Sixth Grade Health

Beginning this year, sixth grade students will receive nine weeks of health instruction. Major areas included are mental health, which promotes the importance of self esteem, confidence, good mental health and informed decision making; the body shop, focusing on cells, systems and function; and nutrition and the effects of a healthy diet.

Physical Education - 7th & Eighth Grade

This curriculum continues to expand on fitness and the skills introduced in sixth grade as well as introducing new areas for individual acheivement. These two years the student will begin to plan their program for fitness with the selective/elective plan. Two days weekly will be devoted to cardiovascular improvement through a variety of activities. The student must select a variety of skills from each of the following areas. One activity from each area and three additional activities are required.

1. striking with an implement(tennis, golf, badminton, softball, floor hockey)
2. eye-hand coordination (basketball, volleyball, football, handball, team handball)
3. eye-foot coordination (basketball, volleyball, football, handball, team handball)
4. lifetime recreation (strength training, aerobics, swimming, indoor recreational games, track & field, frisbee games, jogging)
5. rhythm/flexibility (dance, jump ropes, tumbling, stunts)

Throughout the physical development curriculum, variety is a key in the search for areas to inspire the interest of students to become active daily in a program that benefits them physically, socially, and mentally.

Seventh Grade Health

The health curriculum provides information in areas extremely relevant to the early adolescent. Major areas included are mental health, which promotes the importance of self-esteem, confidence, good mental health, and informed decision making, the body shop, focusing on cells, systems, and functions of the systems, nutrition and the effects of a healthy diet, American Red Cross Standard First Aid and Adult CPR, consumer health, environmental health, diseases, ATOD (alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs), and abstinence. Health is a life skills class where lessons can last a lifetime.