In California, it is not required to have a specialist teach physical education until middle school. As a kid, I participated in dodgeball, softball and that’s all I remember doing in PE. Hours and hours of dodgeball. Always getting out. I do recall having the physical fitness test in 5th grade and being humiliated cause I couldn’t even hang on the bar. In middle school, I was the nerd who did the 24 hour relay bikeathon, ran till I got sweaty (even more nerdy) and took diving (pretty embarrassed about learning how to dive when everyone is looking at your suit- body image issues came early on). In high school, I took aerobics and enjoyed it. However, since I was on the cross country team, I no longer had to take physical education.
Finally, in college, I settled down to be a physical education major. I believe this was a good decision- as is this blog- talking about health and fitness daily seems to be my favorite things to do. Anyway, long introduction, but, I am back teaching phys ed today and had a blast. Really enjoy watching them laugh and participate in the activities that I planned. It’s really a fun job if you have to have a job outside of childrearing.
This leads me to you- what did you love best about PE? what did you hate? if you were a kid now, what would you want to do? learn about? what do you think is most important for kids to know today?
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14 responses so far ↓
1 kelownagirl // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:23 am
I HATED when the athletic kids got to pick their own teams, one kid at a time. I remember the time I was picked second to last, only because the mentally retarded girl was picked last. I hated PE all through school.
2 workout mommy // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:29 am
ironically as a child I HATED running. Now, I get misty eyed when I see other runners because I can’t do it myself anymore.
I think it’s important to teach kids that exercise and fitness can be FUN. It’s not all about stats and numbers, but just about moving our bodies , every single day.
(and I’ve always wanted to be a PE teacher:) )
workout mommys last blog post..Move it Monday!
3 Bobbi // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:37 am
well I loved PE in elementery, but here is a funny story. I was always chased by this one boy in 5th grade, he used to put the bat between his legs and gesture grose things to me..yes a BASEBALL bat! Ya I didn’t like PE to much after that because I got the kid suspended. But then in Middle school it was fun but I hated changing into the UGLY green PE sweats…they were always too big and uncomfortable..but I love the Moore Mile, and loved hockey. Then it came to High School and I too did Cross Country, and Waterpolo so no more PE for me:)
Bobbis last blog post..So fresh and so clean, clean!
4 Alyce // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:41 am
I remember dreading PE more than any other activity at school. I was terrible at team sports, and that seemed to be all that we did until high school. I used to get put in the far corner of the field no matter what we were playing (football, softball, etc.). I was also terrified of water and didn’t learn to swim until high school, so the mandatory swim lessons in grade school were a nightmare.
Once in high school though I joined the swim team (faced my fears) and loved participating in the individual sports class (badminton, golf, tennis, archery, etc.)
Alyces last blog post..Cute Nathan Sayings
5 A Mom in Red High Heels // Sep 9, 2008 at 5:36 am
As a kid I remember the humility of dodge ball. Hate the game to this day. I also remember tether ball…ouch. I was always timid when it came to team sports but I enjoyed individual sports such as track and tennis.
Going to college to be a PE Specialist opened a whole new world of PE to me. I had NO IDEA that PE could actually be fun, motivating, and full of team building/self-confidence building activities. I applaud those teachers that actually follow a curriculum that includes those things as I know the majority do not. Helping the kids learn to love to move is essential to helping society become more healthy as a whole.
I’m glad you had a fun day teaching! Fitness and movement are your passion!
A Mom in Red High Heelss last blog post..Hot Mama Britney Spears at the MTV Video Music Awards
6 Lance // Sep 9, 2008 at 9:42 am
I have a terrible experience in high school. We played floor hockey in the gym everyday. The gym teacher let the upper classmen run the class while he stayed in his office. I was a freshman. There were two of us. We were always the goalies, and always came out beat up. Bad experience. I was very happy when that year finished!
Today, my kids love gym. And they love when they get to play games. Any game with a ball is fun for them. They are not big on the dance units (but I still see them as important). The key is finding something that everyone can participate and have fun with. If gym is fun, hopefully kids will be more likely to come back to exercise in their life.
That’s awesome that you teach gym! I think it’s as important as any of the other core subjects in school. You have the opportunity to give kids a lifelong tool they can use.
On another note, my wife is a substitute teacher, and gym is her favorite subject to teach.
Lances last blog post..What We Learn From Winning
7 MizFit // Sep 9, 2008 at 10:35 am
I friggin hated it ALL.
that now you/one can do yoga etc in PLACE of things like kickball, volleyball, softball etc.
Im 100% uncoordinated (there’s a reason I still do ZERO SPORTS which require hand/eye skills) and am jealous
Its a wonder I have ANY selfesteem
MizFits last blog post..Kickin’ it OLD SCHOOL. Rowing style (and, alas, sans Will Ferrell).
8 raych // Sep 9, 2008 at 1:26 pm
I hated everything, but I hated the daily ‘fitness run’ most. I mean, I love running now, but even now I wouldn’t want to take a 15-20 minute run in the middle of a workday and be sweaty and gross for the rest of the day. Also, I hated the year-end run, which, if you didn’t run in the appropriate amount of time (i.e. if you walked), you had to run again the next day. Boooooo.
raychs last blog post..Babylon Rolling Giveaway!!
9 Kai // Sep 9, 2008 at 2:17 pm
I’m a PE hater too (sorry!). I enjoyed the team activities more than the rest (aside from the choosing of teams…that part was the WORST).
10 Running Knitter // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:49 pm
I hated PE as well. I hated when they picked teams (yes, I was always the last one picked). Team sports just wasn’t my thing.
Running Knitters last blog post..An almost half marathon
11 Mark Salinas // Sep 9, 2008 at 4:57 pm
What?? The only class I looked forward to was PE! Exercise and fitness
Good stuff!
Mark Salinass last blog post..The Active Child with Rosabel Yip
12 WeightingGame // Sep 10, 2008 at 3:40 am
uch- The Mile. I loathed The Mile and all things Presidential Fitness Testing (bent arm hand, V-sit, etc). I was much more concerned about keeping my bangs high and hairsprayed and thus could not be bothered to get sweaty.
WeightingGames last blog post..5 Ways to Master Your Emotions
13 Playful Professional // Sep 10, 2008 at 3:57 am
I think the most important thing is that kids learn to enjoy fitness, and that PE continues to be a part of the curriculum. My bro and sis are in high school and only have PE once a week or something ridiculous like that. I was an athlete in high school and LOVED PE because it was a chance to play games and just enjoy myself.
Playful Professionals last blog post..Just Another Day to Write Home About
14 My Hours // Sep 17, 2008 at 6:43 am
Thank you very much for your post. This is a nice posting. I really like this post and absolutely very usefull to me. Thank you.
My Hourss last blog post.."Healing Moves" – The Best Medicine Money Can’t Buy
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