Literacy is such an imperative concept for young people. It is what we, as teachers thrive to strengthen and foster from when a child enters elementary school until they walk across the stage on their final graduation day. We hope that they use these literary skills in many different capacities for the rest of their lives.
As a physical education teacher, I still attempt to do my best using content area reading strategies as much as possible at the middle and senior levels. I realize this will benefit students in their core subject areas and I am all for it. However, my number one concern is keeping kids active! I was watching Global National News two nights ago and they had a segment regarding Canadian fitness levels. It talked about how our levels have consistently declined since 1981 and how youth are at so many health risks because of inactivity levels. This is not a real big secret considering the amount of publicity and media attention the topic has received, but what is being done about it?
Let's introduce the term Physical Literacy. What does that mean? What does "gym class" have to do with literacy?
The Canadian Sport for Life Foundation defines the term Physical Literacy "...is the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to move confidently and with control, in a wide range of physical activity, rhythmic (dance) and sport situations".
Looking at this definition, it can lead us to the conclusion that children's fitness levels are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to term "Physical Literacy". My personal belief is that constant participation in daily physical activity and fitness, especially at a young age, will create a foundation that allows for development of fundamental skill.
I guess this is my spiel on making students, teachers, and parents aware of Physical Literacy. When parents and teachers help students with their letter sounds or nightly reading routines, it is a step toward improving a child's ability to be literate. We don't just rely on class time for these skills to improve. It takes time and repetition. The same comparison can be made to dribbling a basketball. LeBron James definitely didn't rely on daily physical education classes to excel to an advanced level of understanding for the skill. Many hours of repetition and practice went into his development. The challenge is; what can students, parents, and teachers do in order to continue to take steps toward being "physically literate"? As effective decision makers, we need to remember that it is never to late to expand our knowledge!
In order to better your understanding for the concept of "Physical Literacy", I am providing you with a resource developed by Canadian Sport for Life. The following link is quite lengthy and will take some time to load, but it is a very interesting read:
http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/upload/docs/LTAD%20Downloads%20Eng/Developing%20Physical%20Literacy.pdf
Remember; your comments are always appreciated!!!
As a physical education teacher, I still attempt to do my best using content area reading strategies as much as possible at the middle and senior levels. I realize this will benefit students in their core subject areas and I am all for it. However, my number one concern is keeping kids active! I was watching Global National News two nights ago and they had a segment regarding Canadian fitness levels. It talked about how our levels have consistently declined since 1981 and how youth are at so many health risks because of inactivity levels. This is not a real big secret considering the amount of publicity and media attention the topic has received, but what is being done about it?
Let's introduce the term Physical Literacy. What does that mean? What does "gym class" have to do with literacy?
The Canadian Sport for Life Foundation defines the term Physical Literacy "...is the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to move confidently and with control, in a wide range of physical activity, rhythmic (dance) and sport situations".
Looking at this definition, it can lead us to the conclusion that children's fitness levels are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to term "Physical Literacy". My personal belief is that constant participation in daily physical activity and fitness, especially at a young age, will create a foundation that allows for development of fundamental skill.
I guess this is my spiel on making students, teachers, and parents aware of Physical Literacy. When parents and teachers help students with their letter sounds or nightly reading routines, it is a step toward improving a child's ability to be literate. We don't just rely on class time for these skills to improve. It takes time and repetition. The same comparison can be made to dribbling a basketball. LeBron James definitely didn't rely on daily physical education classes to excel to an advanced level of understanding for the skill. Many hours of repetition and practice went into his development. The challenge is; what can students, parents, and teachers do in order to continue to take steps toward being "physically literate"? As effective decision makers, we need to remember that it is never to late to expand our knowledge!
In order to better your understanding for the concept of "Physical Literacy", I am providing you with a resource developed by Canadian Sport for Life. The following link is quite lengthy and will take some time to load, but it is a very interesting read:
http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/upload/docs/LTAD%20Downloads%20Eng/Developing%20Physical%20Literacy.pdf
Remember; your comments are always appreciated!!!
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