Each week you can see the activities that our students were engaged in as well as many of the resources I used in my teaching. I put out these weekly posts for parents to see what their child is learning in PE as well as for other PE teachers to get ideas they can implement in their own program.
With 2 weeks of basketball skills and 2 weeks of floor hockey behind us, our students were due for a Free Choice Station day. It's probably one of the most asked questions I get on a daily basis when I meet students at the door to the gym..."Is it free choice day?" Well, this week students got their wish! With all the changes that have impacted education and our community recently, I really felt students just needed a day to be their best selves and enjoy a variety activities of their choice.
Each class participates in the free choice activities in their own unique way. That’s what I like about it. It ebbs & flows naturally as kids join in or leave to do other things. It’s their choice, they have the power, and they are in control. My students just needed this, this week. I knew it was the right decision as I witnessed way fewer behavior issues, higher active participation levels, and just a joy on kids' faces as they took ownership of their learning this week. It truly was one of the best weeks of teaching I've had in a while.
To the untrained eye, a glimpse into the gym can look a bit chaotic. You might wonder what the focus of the lesson is or why it doesn't look like any PE class you've seen. Our national standards from SHAPE America outline some of the grade level outcomes associated with this type of activity. And while all of these might not be prevalent with every class, the students can definitely attest to the enjoyment they derive from participating in activities they like as well as many of the positive social interactions that take place. I would encourage you, parents, to ask your child about PE class this week. Ask them, "What was their favorite activity station?" "Why do they like free choice days?" "Who did they play with?" Have them reflect on what they did and see if their answers align with anything from the chart below. There is definitely a time and place for more structured lessons and practicing skill content, but let's not overlook what the underlying motivations of our children are when it come to them participating in active pursuits.
Each class participates in the free choice activities in their own unique way. That’s what I like about it. It ebbs & flows naturally as kids join in or leave to do other things. It’s their choice, they have the power, and they are in control. My students just needed this, this week. I knew it was the right decision as I witnessed way fewer behavior issues, higher active participation levels, and just a joy on kids' faces as they took ownership of their learning this week. It truly was one of the best weeks of teaching I've had in a while.
To the untrained eye, a glimpse into the gym can look a bit chaotic. You might wonder what the focus of the lesson is or why it doesn't look like any PE class you've seen. Our national standards from SHAPE America outline some of the grade level outcomes associated with this type of activity. And while all of these might not be prevalent with every class, the students can definitely attest to the enjoyment they derive from participating in activities they like as well as many of the positive social interactions that take place. I would encourage you, parents, to ask your child about PE class this week. Ask them, "What was their favorite activity station?" "Why do they like free choice days?" "Who did they play with?" Have them reflect on what they did and see if their answers align with anything from the chart below. There is definitely a time and place for more structured lessons and practicing skill content, but let's not overlook what the underlying motivations of our children are when it come to them participating in active pursuits.
Here's a look into our gym and a snapshot of some of the experiences this week...