by April Nourse

Created on: June 25, 2008   Last Updated: February 07, 2010

As a substitute teacher I have the opportunity to experience many different environments. I enoy this because I get a chance to see what works and what doesn't work in the classroom. I also have the chance to put into practice what I have learned in school. Sometimes I learn from the teachers whose shoes I fill and sometimes I learn what not to do from them. Last year I noticed a sad trend in schools. Of the numerous classes I walked into, only one teacher included P.E. in her lesson plans, and that was only a reward if the class behaved the rest of the day and we had time before going home. I was deeply saddened by this low priority given to physical activity.

I remember vividly my elementary school years when we did P.E. every day. I remember because I hated it every day. We all went onto the playground and did jumping jacks, cherry pickers, push ups, and then ran laps around the playground. This was only our warm up before playing games such as dodgeball or kickball. I was not good at any of the sports and I was not interested in improving my skills. That was not even the worst part. At recess, we were required to do something active as well. No sitting and talking for us. We had to be moving. I may not have enjoyed it then, but my body appreciated it. I now appreciate that I have a general knowledge of most sports and games.

This year I found physical activity much more in my lesson plans. Sometimes it was in the form of P.E., but most of the time it was the creativity of teachers working activity into their lessons. One teacher that I subbed for had the kindergarteners do push ups, sit ups and jumping jacks during math to practice counting. One school at which I spent some time gives each child a punch card. For each lap that is walked during recess the child gets a foot punched on his card. At the end of the month, the children get rewards for walking designated numbers of laps. One child that struggled in the classroom found success by being the one with the most punches every month.

I am especially excited to see that the students overall still look forward to physical activity. Maybe it is just so they can get out of the classroom, but that adds the motivation to get their work completed. Even the kids who seem to feel apathetic as I felt are willing to get out and play. There is a sparkle of hope for our children. Now if they would ust get away from the screens at home.

Learn more about this author, April Nourse.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.