Effective Health and Physical Education for an Ontario Classroom
Ms. Clemmer's Health & Physical Education Classroom
"Physical Education is as Important as Literacy or Numeracy Education"
Educational Philosophy
The health and physical education subject helps students develop an understanding of the importance of lifelong healthy, active living. These skills benefits students in a number of ways, within the PhysEd class as well as in other subjects by increasing brain function, as well as improving mood, energy level, and motivation. Additionally, physical activity benefits physical, cognitive, social, and affective development and allows all students a chance to thrive outside of the classroom. The goal of health and physical education is to promote independence and confidence in students, and encourage active living. Students who are given the ability to be creative, enthusiastic, and physical in the gym or during daily physical activity each day are better prepared to learn in the classroom. Physical education also leads to more motivated and confident students.
Components of an Effective Program
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Guided by content standards
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Promotes lifetime wellness
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Emphasizes learning correctly
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Teaches management skills and self-discipline
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Identifies physical activity and motor skills as key
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Is student-centred & developmentally appropriate
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Encourages student responsibility, cooperation, and appreciation of diversity
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High level of participation by all students in each class
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Qualified, enthusiastic teachers
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Creative and safe use of facilities and equipment
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Emphasis on FUN, enjoyment, success, fair play, self-fulfillment, and personal health
Why Is Health and Physical Education so Important?
There are many reasons why health and physical education are fundamental to all student's learning experience. At a personal level, physical education increases motivation and confidence among individuals, decreases anti-social behaviour such as bullying and violence, and promotes safe and healthy relationships. Physical activity also has an impact on student's psychological well-being, physical capacity, self-concept, and their ability to 'deal' with stress. Furthermore, the Ontario curriculum has been developed in a way to emphasize the importance of educational values and goals to help students develop character and achieve one's best.
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During physical activities, students learn to work in teams, play fairly, respect their peers, respect diversity among their peers, and develop sensitivity to others. All of these skills help students achieve their potential, lead healthy and active lives, and develop a love of learning. In physical education, students have the opportunity to learn through creative work, collaboration, and hands-on experiences because they are learning by 'doing'. There are many psychological and emotional benefits to physical education that extend beyond the gymnasium.
At an academic level, research has shown a clear connection between physical activity and academic achievement -- students who get more physical activity experience better academic achievement. Research reveals the physiological reasons for higher brain function associated with active participation in physical activity. According to Berg (2010), physical activity leads to changes in the hippocampus region of the brain as well as the primary cortex and executive control area which might be the reason for improved cognitive functioning after prolonged physical activity. Sports and games that require high coordination skills and cognitive action to guide strategy may have a significant impact on brain development.
The research indicates that physical activity helps students in their in-class learning experiences by focusing attention, raising energy levels, and improving their ability to focus on a learning task. The conclusion of this research indicates that exercising beore performing cognitive activity enhances learning. For educators, these findings have significant implications. If students are given the opportunity to do physical activity each day, they will learn better. INCREASED PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IMPROVES ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE!
Benefits of Exercise
Physical activity has a positive effect on behavioural and emotional performance of students. Research suggests that daily physical activity could potentially serve as treatment for conditions such as ADHD, depression, fatigue, and stress. Daily physical activity may improve the emotional state of students, which consequently enhances learning.
Daily physical activity has been researched in numerous studies, and the results of all the research suggest that (a) students enjoy physical activity (b) physical activity changes the neurological structure of the brain in many areas (c) physical activity enhances learning and (d) physical activity can be used as a remedy for a range of mental health issues that hinder learning
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References
Benefits of Exercise. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjdJLtvH84M
Berg, K. (2010). Justifying physical education based on neuroscience evidence. JOPERD, 81(3), 24 – 29, 46
Mandigo, J., Francis, N., Lodewyk, & Lopez, R. (2009). Physical literacy for educators. Physical and Health Education, Autumn, 27 – 30.
Mueller, Course Notes, 2015
Ontario Ministry of Education and Training. The Ontario Curriculum, Grades 1-8: Health and Physical Education, Interim Edition, 2010 (revised). ON: Queen’s Printer.
http://www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/curriculum/elementary/health.html