PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Physical Education Teaching Philosophy

Wes Kline
Dr. Weimer

Kline

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Kline

Physical Education Teaching Philosophy

It is my belief that through physical education, an individual will gain the skills and
resources necessary to live long and happy lives. Within a physical education setting,
students should be continually encouraged to take part in activities and games that will
expand their love for physical activity and movement. It is my job as an educator to provide
students with a fruitful environment to develop wellness strategies, as well as inspiration
to become advocates for physical education. Through physical education, students expand
their skills, knowledge, and application of physical activities in and out of the classroom.
Physical education has a clear and valid reason for being fundamental in every
school curriculum. As reported by the CDC, more than one third of children and adolescents
were overweight or obese in 2012 (CDC, 2014). This number indicates that there is much
to be done in regards to combatting this issue, especially increasing physical activity levels.
Not only should more time be implemented during school day instruction for physical
education classes, but opportunities for additional after-school programs should also be
increased. Educating and preparing future generations for their lives as healthy adults is
the crucial purpose of physical education and should never be slighted.
Content progressions within physical education are incredibly important for the
effectiveness of the program. Content progression should be logical and according to
student development. I also believe content should a wide variety of activity and sport. A
student will gain passion for an activity if they are exposed and have the resources to have
that experience. Integration of an outdoor-adventure curriculum model will enhance my
program. This curriculum model would include units in cycling, rock climbing, and disc
golf. Working hand-in-hand with my curriculum model are the value orientations of social

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Kline

responsibility and ecological integration. For the social responsibility orientation, students
will utilize problem solving skills to be successful in completing tasks. Ecological
integration addresses the interaction of the various layers of physical education and how
everything fits together. Students will learn these value orientations through the outdooradventure curriculum model and continue to use them for the rest of their lives.
I am a firm believer in exploratory approaches with my students, as they allow
students to experience new activities hands-on. This way, the student bases their
enjoyment of the activity purely on their individual experience and not those of others. The
free exploration style also includes a component of responsibility, as students gain and
develop passions for activities. I am a firm believer in assessing student success through
improvement and participation, rather than absolute skill and performance. Improvement
provides a broader, sensitive way to accurately depict students success in physical
education. Assessment is vital in the progression of students from one developmental level
to the next, as it provides the feedback to improve in areas of need.
One of the most beneficial methods of increasing the potency of content within a
lesson is by gaining student buy-in. When buy-in is continuously strong, students will
absorb, retain, and demonstrate their knowledge of skills more effectively. I also believe in
doing whatever is necessary for the students best interests, no matter how difficult. The
success of my students in physical education, and particularly in life, is vital. I strive to
improve myself everyday by creating a better future for everyone in the world through
physical education. Daily participation in and advocacy for physical education are crucial in
creating the healthiest future possible for all students.

PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHING PHILOSOPHY

Kline

References
CDC. (2014, August 13). Childhood Obesity Facts. Retrieved September 24, 2014.