Keith :: Blog :: THE NONPARTICIPATORS

Comments

•  Posted by Robin Walker | # |

  hi Keith!  Try using Pedometers (step counters).  I use them with my unmotivated elementary kids.  In the summer I do high school summer P.E.(freshman) and they love them too.  I always try to give them some type of a challenge (# of steps and convert it to miles) and it just seems to give most kids enough of a gimmic to get them going.

•  Posted by jamie griggs | # |

  Kieth,

  I worked in middle school for ten years and ran into the same problem.  What we ended up doing was cutting out drills and activities where they stood around a lot, and got them started with modified games and worked up to regular games.  We used the games to introduce one or two new skills that I wanted them to concentrate on.  My philosophy is to make pe fun, and make sure kids are moving.  Most of the kids are not going to play sports on an organized level, yet many of us teach our physical education classes the way we would coach a sports team.  In middle school I am sure they get a grade, base the grade on participation and dressing out.  I give written tests on the history and rules of the games I teach, once every six weeks. Those students that have dressed out and participated are exempt for the test.  If you are teaching a lot of "health club" style exercises, ask yourself how many of your students can really afford or have access to a health club.  I think the teacher and students can better be served by doing alternative games and activities that are fun, keep students moving, and teach 2-3 key aspects of sports, games or health.  If we are concentrating on upper body strength we do activites such as crab soccer.  Rather than jamming push ups and sit ups down their throats.

•  Posted by Kathy Millward | # |

  I teach elementary PE but I have raised four children to adulthood.  What I noticed about my own children (who played several sports in HS and college) was that they are still children in middle school!!  They still enjoyed playing some of the corny relay games we play in elementary.  My advice is to go back to your childhood and find some fun activity that will get everyone moving!