Canada · Ontario Curriculum Expectations
Grade 8 PE & Health
Students develop advanced movement skills and strategic thinking while navigating the complex health choices of early adolescence. The course emphasizes personal responsibility for physical fitness, mental well-being, and healthy relationship dynamics.
Tactical Games and Strategic Movement
Exploration of offensive and defensive strategies in various game categories to improve decision making and teamwork.
Focus on maintaining possession and creating space in sports like soccer, basketball, or ultimate frisbee.
Developing skills for sports like volleyball and badminton, emphasizing shot placement and court coverage.
Analyzing the relationship between field positioning and base running in games like softball or cricket.
Personal Fitness and Goal Setting
Designing and implementing personal fitness plans based on the components of health-related fitness.
Understanding the FITT principle and how different types of exercise affect the body systems.
Practicing proper form in resistance training and stretching to prevent injury and improve performance.
Using technology and journals to track physical activity levels and heart rate data.
Nutrition and Fueling the Body
Analyzing dietary habits and the impact of nutrition on physical performance and long term health.
Investigating how carbohydrates, proteins, and fats provide energy for different types of activities.
Critically examining food marketing, labels, and the influence of social media on eating habits.
Understanding the importance of water and the role of sports drinks in physical activity.
Mental Health and Stress Management
Developing coping strategies for stress and understanding the factors that influence mental well-being.
Identifying physical and emotional signs of stress and the difference between positive and negative stress.
Practicing mindfulness, time management, and seeking help as tools for building resilience.
Discussing the importance of reducing stigma and supporting peers with mental health challenges.
Healthy Relationships and Safety
Examining the characteristics of healthy versus unhealthy relationships and practicing assertive communication.
Understanding personal boundaries and the importance of clear communication in all relationships.
Learning techniques to de-escalate arguments and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Navigating social media safely and understanding the long term impact of a digital footprint.
Substance Use and Decision Making
Analyzing the effects of substances on the developing brain and practicing refusal skills.
Investigating the chemical composition of e-cigarettes and their impact on lung function.
Evaluating how alcohol affects judgment, coordination, and safety in social situations.
Developing and practicing verbal and non-verbal strategies to resist peer pressure.