Meeting P.E. Requirements for the Homeschool Portfolioby Andrea Hermitt | More from this Blogger 23 May 2007 06:00 AM In my last post, I talked about the absence, of physical education requirements for most homeschoolers. I also mentioned, that just because many states do not expressly require proof of physical fitness, it does not mean that you can neglect it. Depending on the college your child chooses, you may find the need to demonstrate that your child has fulfilled P.E. requirements. Here is a list of things you can do pack the homeschool portfolio with proof of Physical Education. Certificates and awards: Your child can prove that he or she has not only participated, but also excelled in Physical Education by getting certified and gaining awards in as many areas as possible. For example, a Black Belt in martial arts would prove your child has mastered that area of physical fitness. A lifeguard certification would show that he or she is a strong swimmer. (My 10 and 12 year olds currently have certificates to show what level of swimming they are at, and next year we are considering swim team, which will hopefully bring a trophy or two, and eventually their lifeguard certifications.) Keep a scrapbook: Keep a phys-ed scrapbook for your child. Take photos at every team activity, and every solo feat (like distance running, or speed walking) and even of your child meeting a personal fitness goal like 100 sit-ups for the first time. Place the photos in your scrapbook with date, activity information, amount of hours spent on the activity, and awards or goals met. Signed Statements: For every team sport, tumbling or ballet class your child participates in, you can ask for a short note saying what the child participated in, with a signature. Just tell the instructor or coach you are a homeschooler, if they do not already know, and that their short statement will help you fulfill homeschool requirements. These are just a few ways you help your child to meet physical education requirements, whether they be set by you, the state, or the college they plan to attend. Stay tuned for my next post, which will list numerous ways to get and/or keep your homeschooler physically fit. *Have a question about homeschooling? Just ask. *Want to know more about homeschooling? Start with the 2006 homeschool blog in review! * Have you seen the homeschooling curriculum glossary? Learn more about Andrea Hermitt  Andrea Hermitt is a native New Yorker currently residing in GA. She has been married for over 16 years and has two teenage children. Relevanthomeschooling tags User Comments recessdoctor (5) 24 May 2007 07:52 AMAndrea: In considering how to meet the PE requirements please remember that physical activity (sports participation, sports classes etc.) is not the same as physical education. You might want to check my blog on this distinction. Both are important and contribute to a kids health and well being. However, only physical education provides students with the skills and knowledges to monitor, make healthy choices and successfully participate in physical activities that serve as a buffer against diseases associated with inactivity. One of the best resourses that I know about for providing quality physical education instruction is a free resource (a monthly toolbox) from the National Association of Sport and Physical Education(NASPE). For example, this month the toolbox includes: a Fitness Calendar, workout resources, and healthy food suggestions. The NASPE Toolbox materials can be downloaded from the website at: http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm?template=teachers_toolbox_may07.html My blog (http://wwwpeacefulplaygrounds.blogspot.com) covers many of the Physical Education topics homeschools might want to consider ie: When physical activity is fun kids get it done and many others. http://wwwpeacefulplaygrounds.blogspot.com/2007/05/pedometer-steps-up-physical-activity.html  Valorie Delp (49340) 24 May 2007 08:19 AM"However, only physical education provides students with the skills and knowledges to monitor, make healthy choices and successfully participate in physical activities that serve as a buffer against diseases associated with inactivity." I obviously can't speak for Andrea as I'm not her. . .but as a fellow homeschooler I will say this--all of the things that you are saying that are covered in Physical Education. . .we cover as a family. Kids learn to make healthy choices because they are at home and surrounded by example, and constant teaching. There are no mixed messages where my kids eat lunch (like a soda machine sitting in the hallway that I see so frequently in schools). They're told they need their 5 a day. . .and they get it bc they can't trade with someone else at lunch. They are also "equipped for successful participation in physical activity" at home via activities that both interest them AND provide the exercise that they need. While I appreciate where you're coming from, the goal of "physical education" from a homeschool perspective is to help kids be physically active. There is not a need to formally teach P.E. the same way you would do within a school setting.  Andrea Hermitt (5512) 24 May 2007 08:22 AMI concur. "health" isn't necessarily "taught" in all cases, but it is certainly learned. Community Tags homeschool, health, physical education, pe Discuss this article
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