Physical Education/Health
The outcome of a developmentally and instructionally appropriate physical education program is an individual who has the knowledge, skills and confidence to become and remain physically active for a lifetime. Along with leading medical and child-development specialists, The National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE) recommends a minimum of 60 minutes of quality physical education for all students daily, or 150 minutes per week for elementary.
Quality physical education is both developmentally and instructionally relevant for all students, not only high skilled or physically fit ones. Appropriate instructional practices in physical education are those that recognize students’ development and changing movement abilities, as well as their individual differences. Students’ past motor skills, sport, cognitive and social experiences are also considered in lesson and program design and delivery. Individual characteristics such as physical maturation and fitness, skill levels and age are reflected in designing lessons and selecting instructional strategies. Appropriate instruction in physical education incorporates the best-known practices, derived from research and teaching experiences, into a pattern of instruction that maximizes opportunities for learning and success for all students. Quality lessons and programs are designed to reflect the goals of national, state and/ or local standards for physical education. Teachers regularly assess student progress and adjust lessons and progressions accordingly.
NSPE defines a physically educated person as someone who:
- Demonstrates competency in motor skills and movement patterns needed to perform a variety of physical activities.
- Demonstrates understanding of movement concepts, principles, strategies and tactics as they apply to learning and performing physical activities.
- Participates regularly in physical activity.
- Achieves and maintains a health-enhancing level of fitness.
- Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.
- Values physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression, and/ or social interaction.
- NASPE, Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines