Planning+&+Preparation

//Through their knowledge of content and pedagogy skills in planning and preparation, teachers make plans and set goals based on the content to be learned, their knowledge of students and their instructional context. //  __ Artifact 1 – PA Academic Standards __ The //Pennsylvania Academic Standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education// provide me with benchmarks and help me plan and prepare appropriate lessons for my students. My curriculum is aligned according to these standards to ensure that I am teaching exactly what needs to be taught to each grade level when it comes to health and physical fitness. Being a teacher of 4 different grade levels, it gets tricky at times setting clear expectations that are appropriate for each age group. Developmentally, there is a big difference between 5th grade students and 8th grade students. In my physical education classes, I usually keep all of my classes involved in the same unit at one time (basketball, soccer, physical fitness, etc). However, many different modifications need to be made to reach all levels of student achievement.

For example, when teaching a basketball unit to 8th graders, skills such as dribbling, passing, and shooting are taught relatively quickly with some independent practice. This age group is usually self-sufficient enough to work individually and evaluate their own progress. I tend to spend more time teaching 8th graders game rules and regulations, as well as offensive and defensive strategies. Fifth graders on the other hand, need to focus on skill development for a longer period of time before learning game strategies. Partner practice and group work are very helpful and appealing to this younger age group. They need a lot of one-on-one time with the teacher and demand much feedback for skill improvement. Game play is definitely a part of our unit in 5th grade; however several modified and lead-up games are played prior to a real game to introduce strategies and procedures of basketball.

In years past, before there were Academic Standards for Health, Safety, and Physical Education, PE class was mostly about sport. Now that PE teachers have guidelines to follow, we can plan better, more efficient lessons for our students. Lessons that focus on lifelong health and wellness, sportsmanship, safety, injury prevention, and movement activities facilitate a bright, healthy future for our students.