At Madison West High School, the Health and Physical Education Department is on a mission to do more than just get students active. They’re creating meaningful experiences that not only promote immediate health benefits but also foster lifelong habits and connections.
As one of the largest high schools in Wisconsin, with over 2,200 students, it takes a team of dedicated educators—and the right resources—to make this happen for such a diverse student population.
Health and Physical Education Department Chair Ian Lacasse shares the deeper motivation behind the program,
“If you’re forced into one narrow direction for physical activity as a student, you’re limited in what you’re willing to do as an adult. The goal at Madison West is to find meaning in movement and to see the benefits both during school and later in life.”
To help foster that sense of purpose, Madison West starts every student with a strong foundation and then opens the door to a wide range of electives and opportunities for exploration. Here’s how they do it.
Madison West’s Foundations Of Physical Activity Course
Before students tap into the wide range of electives offered at Madison West, they must first complete the Foundations of Physical Activity course as 9th graders.
The course is designed to provide a well-rounded introduction to physical activity, helping students explore lifelong fitness and wellness. While the specifics may vary slightly by section and semester, Ian describes the core themes that remain consistent across every class,
“Our foundational course exposes students to a wide range of different physical activity options in shorter units that will eventually become full semester opportunities for students. And throughout the class, we focus on promoting reflection and what resonates with them about being physically active.”
In addition to the various activity units, Ian explains how the course also introduces key fitness and weightlifting concepts,
“We work to get students in the 9th-grade course into the weight room at least once every two weeks. Here, we introduce different instructional videos and resources from PLT4M so that students can see what the world of fitness and weightlifting looks and feels like.”
With the help of PLT4M, Madison West introduces students to foundational human movements like the squat, lunge, and hinge while teaching the basics of weightlifting. Ian says this early exposure is a key part of what makes the program so effective,
“Our fitness and weightlifting electives are very popular, and one reason is that we introduce students to the different ways they can be physically active and exercise early in this course beyond during physical education class time.”
Bonus: Check out PLT4M’s breakdown of the barbell back squat.
Madison West Health and Physical Education Electives
After completing the Foundations of Physical Activity course, students at Madison West have a wide range of electives to explore. The list is both impressive and diverse, designed to offer something for everyone in the large school of over 2,200 students. Some of the electives include:
- Challenges and Adventures (1 & 2)
- Dance (1 & 2)
- Learn to Swim + Swim for Fitness
- Lifeguard Training/Pro CPR
- Lifetime Sports & Activities
- Online PE
- Peer Partners Lifetime Sports & Activities (Adaptive)
- Personal Fitness
- Social Dance
- Team Sports (1 & 2)
- Weight Training (1 & 2)
These options allow students to specialize in areas that interest them, fostering engagement and long-term physical activity. While the electives and choices vary, Ian explains how every class works to tie in reflection, connection, and fostering meaningful experiences for students,
“In any elective, we work to have students start to connect how this can be a physical activity opportunity beyond class time and school. Our goal is to support all our students in building those meaningful connections that will support lifelong fitness.”
Free Download!
THE LIFETIME FITNESS PLAYBOOK FOR PE
Proven strategies to introduce more Lifetime Fitness into youre Curriculum. Loaded with free lessons, you won’t want to miss this resource!
A Closer Look Madison West Weight Training & Personal Fitness
A great example of exploration and reflection in action can be found within Madison West’s weight training and personal fitness electives.
Centered around the weight room and fitness center, these classes not only work to build students’ confidence in key skills but also help them grow in independence and physical literacy.
In Weight Training 1 and 2, students begin by learning foundational skills such as weight room safety and proper technique, gradually progressing to the point where they design and build their own workout plans. Ian explains the goal of these classes,
“The goal is that students can step into any fitness center or gym in the community and be confident and capable.”
In Personal Fitness, while the weight room is still a component, students also explore other fitness options, including yoga, pilates, circuit training, and more. Ian emphasizes that this variety exposes students to the diverse fitness options available in the real world.
Across all of these classes, Madison West students utilize PLT4M as both a resource for logging workouts and a tool for eventually designing their own routines. Ian notes that incorporating technology has been a game-changer for a variety of reasons,
“By incorporating technology in physical education, students see this as another helpful tool for lifelong fitness because they can track progress, log workouts, and even create their own.”
While PLT4M serves many purposes for students, Ian also highlights how teachers in the department appreciate the accessibility it offers,
“We have a lot of multi-language learners, and every PLT4M video has closed captioning available in any language, making it even easier for every student at our school to benefit from the resource.”
Bonus: Every video across PLT4M’s wide range of content has closed captioning in any language!
Choice With Purpose: Building Meaningful Health & PE Experiences
Madison West High School’s Health and Physical Education Department has created a program that goes beyond just getting students active. With a focus on fostering lifelong physical literacy and activity, the school offers a variety of foundational courses and electives designed to engage students and build meaningful connections to physical activity.
As one of the largest high schools in Wisconsin, Madison West serves a diverse student body, and its PE program aims to provide opportunities for every student to find personal meaning in movement.
A key resource in achieving this goal is PLT4M, which has proven to be indispensable, particularly in the weight room. The platform’s instructional videos and ability to log and track workouts have made it an essential tool for both students and teachers. Ian notes the versatility of PLT4M,
“We have used other resources in the past, but from an education standpoint, PLT4M stands out as a great tool. From weightlifting to health resources, games & activities, and more, there are so many different ways we can use this as a department working to support lifelong physical literacy.”
By integrating PLT4M, Madison West helps students build confidence and independence, ensuring they are prepared to take their fitness journey beyond the school setting. This holistic approach sets Madison West apart, ensuring that students gain physical skills and a lasting understanding of fitness and wellness.
;
