Best Practices for Quality Physical Education Programs:
Some Best Practices include:
- Premise of Physical Education - Physical Education, physical activity, recess and youth
sports are not the same.
- Exercise as Punishment – Exercise is promoted for its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise or any kind of physical activity should NEVER be used as punishment.
- Safety - Activities are selected carefully to ensure that they match students’ ability and
are safe for all students, regardless of ability level. Games and activities where students
are used as “Human Targets”(such as dodgeball) are never used.
- Maximizing Participation – Classes are organized to provide maximum opportunities for students to learn and be
physically active. Enough equipment is provided so that students get maximum practice and participation time. 50% of
class is spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity.
- Recommended Guidelines - Schools should provide 150 minutes of instructional physical education per week for
elementary students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students for the entire year.
Source: Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines for Elementary School Physical Education - SHAPE America publication
Some Best Practices include:
- Premise of Physical Education - Physical Education, physical activity, recess and youth
sports are not the same.
- Exercise as Punishment – Exercise is promoted for its contribution to a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise or any kind of physical activity should NEVER be used as punishment.
- Safety - Activities are selected carefully to ensure that they match students’ ability and
are safe for all students, regardless of ability level. Games and activities where students
are used as “Human Targets”(such as dodgeball) are never used.
- Maximizing Participation – Classes are organized to provide maximum opportunities for students to learn and be
physically active. Enough equipment is provided so that students get maximum practice and participation time. 50% of
class is spent in moderate-to-vigorous activity.
- Recommended Guidelines - Schools should provide 150 minutes of instructional physical education per week for
elementary students and 225 minutes per week for middle and high school students for the entire year.
Source: Appropriate Instructional Practice Guidelines for Elementary School Physical Education - SHAPE America publication