Compare your current skills to what this opportunity needs—we'll show you what you already have and what could strengthen your application.
Job Description
PROVIDE MAXIMUM PHYSICAL ACTIVITY TIME WITHIN THE CLASS PERIOD
Physical education class is just one avenue during a school day that provides the opportunity for physical activity. During the allotted class time it is recommended that children be moderately or vigorously active for at least half of the class period. Several factors can contribute to making this happen: Effectively organize space, equipment, and students. Provide adequate equipment that allows all children to be active at the same time (e.g., one ball per child). Limit teacher talk or instruction time. Plan practice opportunities that are structured for maximum participation (e.g., individual, partner, and small-group activities; nonelimination activities; activities that require no wait time). Structure the class so that learning occurs while students are being physically active.
TEACH SKILLS AND ACTIVITIES THAT TRANSFER INTO PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OUTSIDE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASS
Physical education programs have the responsibility to teach skills that students will need to participate in physical activity outside of the physical education class and skills they will need for a lifetime of physical activity. Skills learned in physical education class transfer to skills used in a child's play. From the kindergarten-age child playing tag, to the second grade child jumping rope, to the older child playing a game of kickball, the skilled child is more likely to participate in physical activity. If a child is confident in his or her skills, there is typically no hesitation to play; however, the low-skilled child, especially in the upper grades, is less inclined to take part in group activities for fear of failure and peer ridicule. Students need skills to be participants in physical activity. Good physical education programs take the time to teach children activities they may do on their own. Examples of these are jump rope chants, nonelimination tag games, hopscotch, Four Square, tetherball, and basketball activities such as Horse and Around the World. Including these activities briefly in a physical education class and then encouraging children to play them on their own is likely to promote more physical activity on the playground and in their neighborhoods.
MOTIVATE CHILDREN TO BE ACTIVE
Another role of the physical educator is to encourage and motivate children to be active. There are many ways to do this, including promoting community activities, assigning physical activity homework or home fun, showing an interest in the out-of-class physically activity in which children participate, and leading by example.
PROMOTING COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
There are typically numerous activities in communities that promote physical activity, such as organized recreational sports, dance classes, gymnastics programs, and martial arts. A bulletin board on the court, the school Web site, and regular announcements are simple ways to promote these opportunities. Brochures, Web sites, or newspaper announcements are available from most physical activity venues.
PRAISE FOR PARTICIPATION A
word of encouragement is a simple way to promote physical activity. Praising young students for play may sound somewhat strange to most of us; but for a generation that experiences limited physical activity, it may be necessary. Simply inquiring about student involvement in physical activity and praising students for that involvement carry weight with young children. To take this a step further, if a teacher shows up at a youth league sporting event or a dance recital, the child will be elated.
LEADING BY EXAMPLE A
physically active and fit physical education teacher is a positive influence. The physical education teacher should occasionally share with the students how physical activity fits into his or her life. By maximizing physical activity time in physical education class, aiding students in transferring skills and activities to out-of-class play, and making efforts to motivate children to be physically active, the physical educator can greatly influence the daily physical activity needs of students.
PLAY A LEADERSHIP ROLE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE SCHOOL PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAM
The increase in the number of overweight children and the decrease in physical activity time in school make for a national problem. The responsibilities should include the following. Helping in the evaluation and planning process for the school Actively learning about and promoting opportunities for physical activity in the community Aiding teachers in understanding and implementing appropriate practices for physical activity Providing opportunities for the teachers to engage in physical activity before or after school Organizing schoolwide physical activity experiences Planning schoolwide activities such as field day, fun runs, a walking program, and morning exercise breaks Encouraging fund-raisers that promote physical activity (e.g., Jump Rope for Heart, Walk for Diabetes, St. Jude's Walk) Planning before- and after-school sports for activities such as jump rope, walking, dance, gymnastics, and intramural sports (basketball, volleyball, tennis, soccer)
