Student engagement is not always the first thing PE teachers want’s to talk about. That’s because a lot of the time student engagement is lacking in a PE teachers gym.
I wrote a post about my personal experience in keeping my students engagement high in my classes, but I want to share what other teachers are doing with their students.
I asked other PE teachers what keeps their student engagement up, and here are their responses:
Dr. Scott Ronspies, Eastern Illinois University: 10 years K-8
“The best way to motivate is to personalize the content. If Students can see how it can benefit them, they are more willing to engage.
Another way is a teaching style that works great for me. Students have to see the content, hear the content and feel the content.”
Brook Canova, Charlottesville, Virginia
“I had the most successful engagement from our 5th/6th graders creating choice opportunities to self select competitive or non competitive options.
Each 3-4 week period we offer four new choices. Some are more competitive by nature (basketball or football) while others are less (dancing, juggling, trail running). Each student ranks their choices 1-4 and we group them accordingly. They do not all always get their first choice, but have been very understanding if they didn’t.
If a choice was overly popular, but we didn’t have space, we can offer it again in another selection round.
Within each choice, we have the ability to make teams or games more less competitive according to the desires of the group, or split the groups into smaller sided games based on how competitively they would like to play.
It has been more logistical planning for us, but much more rewarding for the students. We have better participation and attitudes all around.”
Kayla McHarg, Hillsboro, Oregon
“I teach middle school and my two best units for engagement are badminton and create your own game.
With badminton, we do skill building games, then when it comes to game play, their class gets to come up with the rules they want to play by (after they are approved by me). After a few days of playing by their rules, I teach them the real rules. For the class tournaments, they get to vote as to which set of rules they want to play by.
For my create your own game unit, they have about 10 class days to come up with a new game using our PE equipment. They get to pick their groups, their equipment and their rules (I do not have to approve their games before they can move forward). At the end of the unit, each group will give a 5 minute-ish presentation/demonstration to the class. Then the class will play.
Best two units I have!”
Kyle Lindblom, Waukegan, Illinois
“I strongly believe to engage students, you must show interest in the students. Not just in the gym, but all around the school. From the lunchroom, recess, hallways and more.
The more they know you care for them, the more they will try not to disappoint you.”
Rhonda Bellamy, Cedar Springs, Michigan
“Love what you do! Attitude is caught not taught.”
Wayne Hao, New York
“Cooperative activities and games. Multi-activity.”
Ommar Solis, Las Cruces, New Mexico
“The activity that my students love and are engaged 100% of the time is Spheres (hula hoop building) for my 3-5 and Parachute activities for my K-2.”
Amanda Gonzalez, Pontiac, Michigan
Stations (mostly when it’s a mix variety) and for some reason jump ropes make my kids in Pontiac go crazy.
I definitely focus on building relationships in and beyond the classroom. I’ll chaperone, coach and even try to bust a move with my sick dance moves. Even though each semester is with a different grade level, I make sure to be part of K-12 activities.
If I am having fun, they want to have fun.”
Vikki Merino, Hollywood, Florida
“Participate with them! Whenever I am teaching a new skill, I will also practice the skills as I walk around and give feedback. Kids love it.
They will ask to participate with you, compete with you, practice with you, everything!
I have also realized that they feel more comfortable making mistakes if they see you making mistakes as well.”
Howie Weiss, New York
“Use lots of equipment. At least one piece for every two students. Keep movement level high and change tasks often.”
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