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education, educator, health and fitness, lesson plan, master in teaching, participation, physical education, student
Standard 5. Learning Environment – The teacher fosters and manages a safe and inclusive learning environment that takes into account: physical, emotional and intellectual well-being.
My interpretation of this standard is that both the learning environment and the lesson plan should create an optimal situation for all students to learn. Especially in Health and Fitness classes, differences in ability are very visible. It is important for the teacher to create an environment where the competition is not based upon individuals ability levels being pitted against each other.
The following link will open a copy of the lesson plan which I created that both challenges students to do their best, but does not create a competitive environment that students are uncomfortable being in.
The learning target and objective of this lesson makes it clear to the students that they are to complete each station to the best of their own ability. Comparing scores is discouraged and any taunting is unacceptable. The description of each station includes a clear example and demonstration of the skill so that each student has at least a basic understanding of what they are to do. A basic understanding for all students helps minimize the chance of students taunting one another. The clear expectation create an environment where a student’s personal best is acceptable and the goal of personal growth is embraced.
While this lesson demonstrated that strong expectations will help mitigate any temptations to taunt or tease another student, many other Health and Fitness lessons can easily become more competitive. I am working on developing clearer expectations for all lessons and for my classes in general.
As a result of this lesson plan, I learned that strong expectation can make challenging (and sometimes frustrating for the students) lessons possible. I was able to teach a lesson that took no less than 35 of the 45 minutes of class, without having to cut any of the quality instruction from it.
The implication of this for student learning is that I can challenge the students to truly push themselves and to gain as much from the lesson as possible. This also demonstrates that with clear instruction and expectations, students of all skill levels can succeed in Health and Fitness.
The only change I would make for the next time I teach this lesson is to make sure that I give immediate feedback to each student throughout the period. The scores they record give them a future goal, but I would like to make sure each student knows one thing they did well and one thing they can do to improve.
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