Why Physical Education? *10 REASONS TO SUPPORT P.E. IN SCHOOLS!

By: Mr. Eckert

Physical Education has moved away from the old way of doing things. Although I can not speak for all PE programs I can speak for the program in which I work. We are constantly changing and improving our classes for what we believe is best for our students! Brain research shows Physical Education supports or increases student performance in academics too! Please see the TED talk where Harvard University and Naperville High School teamed up & found great purpose for Physical Education in schools. I consider our PE program nothing short of a necessity. It is awesome that most PE programs provide all the benefits of physical activities working on gross motor skills and cardiovascular workouts. In doing this we also aid in students laying a foundation to have the knowledge to take care of their bodies to lead a healthy lifestyle, but we provide so much more! If you are not familiar with what else is being taught in PE please see the following:

Students in our classes learn the following LIFE SKILLS (I have provided some basic examples):

1. Peer Leadership Skills- Students lead stretches, strength, and endurance exercises daily. Students choose weekly exercises post them on on the PE blog and are responsible for knowing how to execute them come the 1st day of the week. Students are also responsible for running debrief discussions to conclude lessons. Students also create authentic learning videos for other schools to use (i.e. Pilates workout video). Students create the majority of assessment pieces too! Another Peer leadership piece is peer-coaching. Students use technology (i.e. "Video delay coaching" app) to coach their peers and follow up by filling out an assessment checklist (that the students created!).

2. Improve Social Behaviors- Big focus on sportsmanship interactions (shaking hands after each game, using positive comments with teammates, etc…)

3. Conflict Resolution Through Sports- Developing rules and leadership in sports via calling/reffing their own games (addressing violations, fouls, etc…) during the course of games

4. Develop Social Emotional Skills- Learning to deal with frustrations in sports in a calm manner (many State Social Emotional Standards are met in PE daily).

5. Learn how to Follow Daily Routines- Warm-ups are daily and include all aspects of the Fitness tests in a particular order

6. Learn to Follow Rules- Classroom norms and expectations

7. Learn Responsibility- Using locker combos and being dressed in their uniforms in a timely manner

8. Gross Motor Skills Development- Sport skills like bumping a volleyball or backhand serve in badminton are taught regularly

9. Cardiovascular Fitness- Cardiovascular fitness (like running, jumping rope, riding stationary bikes, etc…) occurs generally 2 times per week. Benefits of cardiovascular workouts include reducing the risks of many conditions, including: obesity, heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, stroke and certain types of cancer. It also increases metabolism, relieves stress, and much more!

10. Crossing Curriculum (with math and reading)- Students participate in literacy skills during workouts on ellipticals and bikes (scroll down the blog to find out more). Students also apply basic math skills like percentages, addition, etc. For example, adding up points awarded for relays.

#PE