Physical Education is “education through the physical”. It aims to develop students’ physical competence and knowledge of movement and safety, and their ability to use these to perform in a wide range of activities associated with the development of an active and healthy lifestyle. It also develops students’ confidence and generic skills, especially those of collaboration, communication, creativity, critical thinking and aesthetic appreciation. These, together with the nurturing of positive values and attitudes in PE, provide a good foundation for students’ lifelong and life-wide learning.
Physical Education Curriculum
An effective physical education program should include engaging lessons, trained P.E. teachers, and sufficient time for instruction. It should teach students about fitness and wellness topics, such as personal health, wellbeing, and movement competence. Lessons should be engaging so that students understand the material. By participating in a variety of activities and games, students can find their interests and expand their knowledge of fitness and wellness.
The classes of a physical education program should also offer students adequate, consistent amounts of time to learn and apply fitness concepts. The length of the class depends on the age range of the students and the standards set by the school district. For students in elementary school, which is the primary level, a physical education program should offer a 30-minute class each of the five days of the week. Middle school and high school, which are the secondary levels, should aim for a 45-minute class each day of the week. However, different schools will have different requirements or recommendations.
P.E. teachers may be referred to as “coach” by their students, especially if they coach one of the school’s sport teams. Many P.E. teachers are required to have a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, education, physical education, or a related field. Generally, they should have some sort of certification in teaching as well as one in fitness if their degree is in a different field. Some four-year degree programs in physical education offer licenses that may be required to teach P.E. in certain areas. Kinesiology-related degree programs typically include courses focused on conditioning, health and wellness, nutrition, general sports topics, and exercise. P.E. teachers must make their lessons engaging to foster student attention. They may also need to conduct fitness testing regularly to track progress and improvement.