Warm-Up Variations! Debbie, Physical Education Teacher: Ogdenburg, NY

“Instead of having students run a specific number of warm up laps, have them select a song for the week. Then have the students jog to the song. For the second quarter of school, have the students select 2 songs to jog to. Continue to increase the number of songs and jogging time for the remaining quarters.”

Group Selection for Students Lousie, Physical Education Teacher-Middle School

“Try this method to include students when selecting partners for groups. Allow students the option of getting into groups of 2 or 3. This helps eliminate any student from being left out. Also, some students work better with 2 group members to assist them!”

Know Your Students by Name Jean Marie, K-12 PE Teacher: Burlington, VT

“Many PE teachers have over 300 students in a given school year if not more. I have found an easy way to know the names of my students. One of the first classes is devoted to having students write their name (with very large print) on a 5×7 index card. Some times I let them design the card with their own insignia. I then laminate the cards and affix a “safety” pin on the back. Students are expected to wear their name tags for the first several months until I get to know all of them by name. If there are activities that require precautionary measures for safety, I ask that the students remove the tags and set them aside. Other options include having the students design their own tee shirts using indelible ink.”

Assessing Students Capabilities Chris, Primary Grade PE Teacher: Peoria, Illinois

“Have a checklist that lists criteria that assesses basic capabilities of younger school children. The checklist should include skill levels, both cognitive and psychomotor; social abilities for the purpose of grouping or teaming; and prior exposure to the games that you will be using to develop skills in your students.”

Agility Training Lisa, 4-6th Grade PE Teacher: Athens, Tennessee

“Agility training is great for challenging intermediate grade students as well as developing problem solving skills. Set up the gymnasium as an “obstacle course.” Use a variety of materials that will challenge students to make decisions about how they will overcome the obstacles. You can use old tires that have been thoroughly cleaned, plastic bars, hoola hoops, stations that require a set of movements (i.e., sit-ups, jumps, etc.) or anything that will create an obstacle that has to be overcome. Make sure that the skills required are commensurate with the ability levels of your students and that are “safe and appropriate.”

No Change Day! Lisa, Physical Education Teacher: NY

“Physical Education students can be rewarded with a sneaker day and NOT have to change clothing for one class period, just change into sneakers! This also works well when the entire class is rewarded for their efforts (i.e. cooperating with a substitute teacher). A pass is signed and given to the student.”

Promote your Program Lisa, Physical Education Teacher: NY

“Throughout the year, videotape your physical education students participating in different activities. Show the tapes during Open House at your school or at other school events such as PTA meetings.”

The Olympics at Your School Judy, K-12 PE Teacher: Detroit, Michigan

“Have “Olympic Trials” at your school. Announce early on that there will be trials and invite students to compete. Give the students the criteria ahead of time and make the expectations clear. Schedule school-wide Olympic Games to take place either in the Winter (sometime in February) or the Summer (end of the school year). Each grade can pick individual athletes who can compete against each other. Arrange to have ceremonies for awards and invite community news agencies. This is a great idea to enable students who are not academically prone to gain recognition for other gifts and talents.”

Keep Track in Track Louise-Track Coach-Middle School

“Try this technique for an attendance book in track (or any subject). Group students together with the first letter of their last name, leaving several empty spaces in between groupings. As schedule changes occur and new students arrive, just insert the new names or delete others. The space will always be there!”

Student of the Month Diane-Physical Education Teacher: Cortland, NY

“Each month the Physical Education teacher selects a student of the month. A photograph and a brief comment reviewing the student’s improvements/accomplishments are displayed on a bulletin board. It really helps students who have low self-esteem!”

Locker Room Beginnings Kami, Physical Education Teacher: Syracuse, NY

“To help out when issuing lockers, have students line up next to their lockers. Have the students write the necessary information in their planners. This planner can be used to reinforce the information with the students again, especially after school vacations. This also helps to record attendance for easy access.”

Assessment of Swimming Strokes, Front crawl-back crawl Jennifer, Middle School: MI

“Using a scaled assessment 1-3 at the beginning of a Swimming Unit, a student can be given feedback on what part of the stroke needs work. For example, a score of three on the front crawl would indicate that the flutter kick, arm action, and breathing are proficient. A score of two on the backcrawl would indicate one component either the arm action, body roll, or reverse flutter kick needs improvement. Try this method out in other units!”

Randomly Assigning Groups Peter, Junior High School Teacher: Salem, MA

“Have students pick from a bag that contains colored beads. The number of colors should be determined by how many groups you need to form. This is a random assignment of groups and gives everyone an equal chance to be on any specific teams that are being formed. Another way to randomly assign groups is to use a deck of cards after being shuffled: pick out the suits and the number of suits needed to form the number for each group.”