Feedback
What advice from the field do you have about student motivation?
This is an excerpt from The Essentials of Teaching Physical Education 3rd Edition by Jennifer Walton-Fisette,Stephen A. Mitchell.
By Shelly Hoffman, Diane Wyatt, and Juli Neace
What is the biggest barrier to student motivation?
Shelly Hoffman, Franklin Elementary School (Wichita, Kansas): I don’t believe you can pinpoint just one. I think there are three large barriers: (1) students’ lack of experience participating in fun and engaging activities, (2) negative experiences in physical education, and (3) physical education teachers’ failure to create a community of respect in the classroom. It has been my experience that elementary students absolutely love moving (even if they are not great at it) if they are engaged in the activities, the activities are age appropriate and fun, and they feel safe to participate and play without fear of being laughed at or put down by the teacher or other students.
What is your best strategy for motivating students?
Diane Wyatt, Abilene Middle School (Abilene, Kansas): Get to know your students. Know their interests. This doesn’t happen in one semester. Ask them about their interests and be true about it. Kids can tell whether you are interested in them. If they know you care, they will care about you, and they will care about what you teach. Also, recognizing when they have put effort and praising them for it, even if it is the smallest achievement, helps them want to do more.
What advice do you have for other physical educators in the field?
Juli Neace, Highland Middle School (Fort Thomas, Kentucky): My advice is to build strong relationships with the students. Get to know your students individually—their interests, strengths, and challenges. Make sure they know you care about them. When students know you care about them, they will be more willing to go out of their comfort zone and try new things. Keep things fun. Mix up your activities, use creative games, and find ways to connect physical education with students’ real lives. Be positive and enthusiastic and model that fun-loving attitude about PE to set the tone for your class.
More Excerpts From The Essentials of Teaching Physical Education 3rd EditionSHOP
Get the latest insights with regular newsletters, plus periodic product information and special insider offers.
JOIN NOW