There have been many different ideas about what the purpose of physical education should be. From military training, preparing students to become athletes, to simply helping students understand how to be healthy and active, and there are numerous purposes that physical education offers. Texas purpose for middle school physical education today is simple, enjoy being active for a lifetime.
The TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) state that in Physical Education, students gain the ability for movement that provide the foundation for enjoyment, continued social development using physical activity, and the desire to have a physically-active lifestyle. The student understands the correlation between activity and health throughout their life. “The purpose of middle school physical education is “in Grades 6-8, students understand in greater detail the function of the body, learn to measure their own performance more accurately, and develop plans for improvement. They learn to use technology such as heart rate monitors to assist in measuring and monitoring their own performance. Identifying the types of activities that provide them with enjoyment and challenges that will encourage them to be physically active throughout life that is reinforced during instruction in these grades.”1 Once again the idea of creating enjoyment of physical activity for students is seen.
AAHPERD (American Alliance for Health Physical Education Recreation and Dance) which has changed its name to SHAPE (Society of Health and Physical Educators) reinforces the idea of enjoyment. In their list of appropriate middle school learning environments, the focus is on creating a positive atmosphere. Students are able to feel safe and willing to make mistakes.2
The bottom line is, whatever the lesson and focus is during a middle school physical education class, the goal should be to create an atmosphere of enjoyment. What is the point if they don’t enjoy what’s going on? Enjoy being active and the student has a chance to be healthy for a lifetime.
1(1998). Chapter 116. Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Physical Education Subchapter B. Middle School.
2(2009). Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines, K-12: A Side-by-Side Comparison. SHAPE Society of Health and Physical Educators.
http://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/guidelines/upload/Appropriate-Instructional-Practices-Grid.pdf
You hit the nail on the head with this blog. Students are supposed to find enjoyment in the physical activities learned in class. If students are able to enjoy these activities in class, they will be more likely to participate in a physically active lifestyle outside of school.
ReplyDeleteVery well written article. I enjoyed the fact that it is important for the kids to enjoy the pe class. If you can make that happen then they will more than likely be active outside the class as well.
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