As a PE teacher, I am always looking for new and engaging ways to teach my students the importance of physical activity and movement. While traditional methods like gymnastics have their benefits, I believe it’s important to offer a variety of activities that can appeal to different interests and abilities. That’s why I’m excited to introduce a new program that incorporates gymnastics, parkour, and martial arts into our curriculum.
Inclusion, Creativity, and risk-taking
When it comes to teaching physical education, it’s essential to create a program that is inclusive and allows for creativity and expression. Many students may not be interested in traditional gymnastics, but they may be drawn to the adrenaline-pumping, free-flowing movements of parkour. Others may be more interested in the discipline and focus of martial arts. By incorporating these different activities into our program, we can cater to a wider range of interests and abilities, ensuring that all students feel welcome and engaged in their physical education.
How else can we teach movement composition?
By avoiding the stereotyping of aesthetic movement being gymnastics and dance (which usually results in a groan from many male students), and offering a variety of activities, we can also encourage students to explore new movements, helping students discover their passions for problem-solving while moving. Some students may excel in the aesthetic focus of gymnastics, while others may find their niche in parkour which focuses more on using our bodies to solve problems. Parkour is all about finding new and inventive ways to move through space. It encourages students to think outside the box and develop their unique style of movement.
Martial arts, on the other hand, teaches discipline and focus, while also allowing students to express themselves through their movements and techniques. These activities may also offer a historical or cultural focus to your unit.
I recently taught jumping skills to grade 1 through a ‘Ninja Training Camp’ stations using hurdles, hoops benches, and space hoppers were used to develop jumping skills. Next, we will continue our ‘Ninja Training’ with some ‘Up and Over’ jumping which will teach students how to jump over objects such as vaults and boxes using gymnastics and parkour techniques. I can’t wait!
Finishing thoughts
Overall, I believe that incorporating gymnastics, parkour, and martial arts into our physical education program will provide a well-rounded and inclusive experience for our students. It will not only help them develop important physical skills, but also foster creativity, expression, and a lifelong love for movement. I am excited to see the impact this new program will have on our students and am looking forward to watching them grow and thrive in their physical education journey.
Need some guidance while teaching movement composition? Need some activities that will guide your student’s activities whilst also facilitating student reflection? Here’s a ready-to-use booklet giving activities and guidance on activities which results in students creating their own individual and group movement routines.
