In US schools, physical education (or PE) is often a required class. Many students dislike the class, feeling it is a waste of time. Explore what is currently happening in these classes as well as what might be an improvement to them.
NOTE: This badge program resulted after a long discussion between high school students and adults on how to make the program more useful.
Steps
Current Offerings
1. School.
During the public school year, physical education classes are often less than an hour. They include everything from dodge ball to swimming. Talk to students and adults from your area to find out what they do in PE, what they enjoyed (or didn’t) and what they learned that they used after completing the class.
2. Summer.
Taking PE during public summer school makes for longer classes in a shorter period of time. Where we live, many local active businesses and organizations were utilized. These included:
- Bowling at local alley
- Miniature and regular golf at local greens
- Day at a local water park
- Watching a professional baseball game
Of course, they also did activities that they would have done as part of the school year class. By integrating the class requirements with local offerings, this exposed the students to activities they could continue after completing the class. It also exposed the students to local businesses. Find out if your school offers a summer PE course. If so, compare the activities of your summer and school year programs.
3. Montessori.
My family spent six years at a Montessori charter school. There wasn’t a gym at this small school. Instead, a unique program was developed using the area they had on-site, partnering with other schools and requiring two extra-curricular sports each year. They learned dancing, yoga and other physical activities that could be done in smaller spaces. Like summer school, they also did things like golf and bowling at local venues. Look at how smaller schools are meeting PE requirements.
4. Online.
Some schools have started offering classes like PE as an individual self-study course where students report what they have done for credit, not taking up “school time.” Explore one of these to see what is involved.
5. No PE.
Some schools do not require a physical education class or even allow recess. This is often due to cuts in funding. Studies have shown that not only are students who have PE more likely to be more active, they do better in school. Does your state / city have physical education classes for your students?
Future of Physical Education
6. Dialogue.
Discuss the current state of physical education with students and / or adults. How can you find ways to help increase physical activities for kids? What might they be more likely to carry into their adult lives?
7. Perspective.
Many PE classes are formed from continuing activities students did at younger ages like playing dodge ball. Often, these activities are expanded on and the rules for sports and games are taught. What if our students instead were given physical activities that they could use later in life to keep themselves healthy and injury-free? As you go through the following steps, keep notes on your own ideas for improving offerings.
8. Moving.
Most Americans don’t get enough exercise. So why not teach the basics? Some activities might include:
- Aerobics
- Home workouts
- Pilates
- Yoga
Basically, exercises that can be continued at home to build and maintain a healthy lifestyle would fall into this category. If your school does not offer these, could you start a club doing these to help kids and adults become active?
9. Outdoors.
Walking, hiking, running and bicycling are just a few simple outdoor activities that anyone can do. Kids might enjoy playgrounds, local parks or even amateur sport leagues. Explore ways to use local areas to go outdoors and stay fit.
10. First aid.
While moving may be your goal, knowing how to recognize and treat an injury might be the difference on whether someone goes back to an activity or avoids the activity in the future. Find out what basic aid would be beneficial and what kind of training is available to local coaches. Is the training coaches receive enough to make informed decisions?
NOTE: A local Girl Scout did her Gold Award on educating coaches about head injuries. Not only was the coach underprepared for providing assistance, the specialist she went to recommended she never do the sport again because of the damage of her head injury and the severe consequences should it happen again.
11. Local.
What do you have available locally for games, sports and other activities? Also, find out what local workshops might be used as a PE activity. Here’s a list of locations to get you started.
- Bowling alley
- Shooting range
- Miniature golf
- Swimming pool, water park or beach
- Gym or YMCA
- Parks — local, national, or state
- Professional or amateur sport teams
- Skating rinks or parks
- Track — indoor or outdoor
By using local businesses, you are increasing their exposure to the public as well as providing a means to encourage students to find the fun in physical fitness. Do any of these locations currently offer discounted rates during non-peak times? Can you use these to expose others to get them moving?
12. Experts.
Local experts can bring in passion for a game or sport. A park ranger can share tales of a place while leading a tour. A Jazzercise or Zumba trainer can bring their materials to your group, sharing their own stories of why their chosen activity is great. Start a list of local experts who are willing to work with you.
13. Online.
Online organizations allow people to share their interests and knowledge. Online experts can offer motivation and support. For example, you can join a geocaching organization to find information on local caches which might otherwise not be available. You might find a podcast, video or blog that offers information to expand your knowledge of a physical activity you enjoy. Start finding online organizations and experts that can start moving you to physical activities.
14. Share.
Look through the notes you took while working through this badge program. Share them with your school or organization. Start or join a fitness club to share your ideas. Teach a group of younger people that physical education can be fun.
Badge and Supplement Files
Member Level
- EP_Badge List_PhysEd_larajla — list of badge items
- EP_Supp_List_PhysEd_larajla — list of supplements for the badge
- SUPP_BPG_PhysEd_2in_12up_larajla — generic badge printable
- SUPP_PhysEd_Journal_larajla — badge journal
- SUPP_PhysEd_Planner_larajla — badge planner
Supplement Fun
- N/A
Sites to Explore
- www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/physicalactivity/physical-education.htm
- www.shapeamerica.org/standards/pe/
- blogs.edweek.org/edweek/schooled_in_sports/2013/12/one_in_four_parents_dissatisfied_with_schools_phys_ed_offerings.html
- www.createdebate.com/debate/show/Should_physical_education_be_mandatory_in_schools
- www.wikihow.com/Do-Well-in-High-School-Physical-Education
- www.montessorimom.com/montessori-physical-eduation
- www.pecentral.org/index.html
- sharemylesson.com/search?search_api_views_fulltext=physical+education
Get the infographic here > larajla blog post
Get the PDFs of the badge program / supplements here