Physical Education plays an integral part in our schools K -12 curriculum. PE provides the only instruction for students in the development and maintenance of positive attitudes, essential knowledge and physical skills. The contribution of physical education is to provide for the optimal physical development of each individual, providing appropriate instruction necessary for life-long fitness, movement, and physical well-being (NASPE, 2005, online).

Good physical education experiences also contribute to social, psychological, and mental development. Without an effective physical education program along with other academic subjects, it is impossible for students to achieve the well-rounded development they need. Physical well-being of students has a direct impact on their ability to achieve academically (California Department of Education, 2002, online).

As a physical education teacher I hope to teach students’ activities and skills that they can use throughout a life time. In America today, too few people stay active after high school. The focus in America has become individual activity. While I do believe individual activity is useful, I don’t think it is looked at as an attractive exercise option. I want to reintroduce the concept of team activity and sport to our students in a way that differs from the traditional style of sport education. I hope to present exercise and activity as an enjoyable experience, performed in a supportive team atmosphere. The key to this is not only teaching the skills but including all aspects of the activity so it can be appreciated to the fullest. My goal is for students to leave my class with the physical as well as mental skills they must possess in order to be active for a lifetime.

I will present physical activity as an enjoyable experience in which all can participate. Physical education needs to be a positive, memorable experience for all. This is the least we can do to ensure that our youth have a chance to live a long, quality life.

Reference:

1. California Department of Education. (2002). California Fitness and Academic Testing, Retrieved May, 10, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.cde.ca.gov/index.asp
2. CDC. (2003). Data tables. Retrieved October, 2, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/index.htm
3. Minnesota Department of Education. (2005). Retrieved October, 3, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://children.state.mn.us/mde/index.html
4. NASPE. (2005). Retrieved October, 2, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/template.cfm
5. Siedentop, D. (2004). Introduction to Physical Education, Fitness, and Sport. New York: McGraw Hill.
6. Surgeon General. (1996). Surgeon General’s Report. Retrieved October, 2, 2005, from the World Wide Web: http://www.surgeonge.com