chapters 1-3 response

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Fundamental skill development and assessment is so important to our profession and the health of our students for many reasons. Physical education provides the foundation for many other aspects of life if the skills are assessed and developed properly. With properly developed skills, one can lead a healthy and active lifestyle. As physical educators it is our job to remove the negative connotations that may have been associated with the words “gym class” and move forward in this profession because of its importance. This step forward can be done by using strategic and critical thinking when teaching students proper fundamental skills. These skills are “an organized series of basic movements that involve the combination of movement patterns of two or more body segments…twisting and turning, running and jumping, and striking and throwing are examples of fundamental movement skills” (52). As mentioned in the Hall of Shame article that we read, anyone is capable of just throwing out the ball and telling students go to play. But as professional physical educators it is important to demonstrate proper skills of each sport in order to reach each student. While some individuals may be skilled in certain sports already, there will also be students who need help learning the different techniques. This is where the teacher has the responsibility of creating lessons that will be physically and mentally engaging for all students, no matter the skill level, so that each student can partake in the activity and benefit from it one step at a time. Because according to AAHPERD, “all individuals [should] enjoy an optimal quality of life through appreciation of and participation in an active and creative, health-promoting lifestyle”.

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