Effort and Participation

Here is where I'm a bit handcuffed by the Archdiocese Standards.  In the Shape America Standards for Physical Education there is a standard that deals with effort and participation at grade levels 1st-5th (S3.E2  - I give 100% of my effort in PE Class at all times).  When you get to grades 6th-8th there are Archdiocese Standards that apply to a student's effort and participation.  So, for grades 1-5 I use "Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns" to grade daily effort and participation.  For grades 6-8 I will use their grade level standards.  

Now, how do I grade for effort and participation specifically?  Grades 1-8 will all receive a 3!  Once again, my goal is to encourage my students to become lifelong movers. Students in grades 3 will wear pedometers but more so for the opportunity to see how to quantify their movement during class as far as MVPA (effort)and activity time (participation) is concerned.

Grades 4-8 also wear pedometers daily in class and will have the opportunity to earn a 4 based on their personal pedometer data compared to the class average.  Once again, effort is determined by MVPA and participation by activity time.  I look at the class data and students who are significantly above the class average may earn a 4.  That being said, no one's grade in these areas will ever be lowered based on their pedometer data only possibly raised!