“Sir, I knew the last question – I remember doing that on the field!” This was the first thing a group of my ‘disengaged’ boys said to me after their GCSE PE exam. These learners made me change how I approached my lessons to ensure students understood the content well. This components of fitness GCSE PE lesson – or series of lessons – will look at how you can, in fact, practically teach a ‘theory’ element of PE qualifications.
It’s easy to say, oh, but I teach in a classroom; you can teach PE practically. The students you teach need to ‘do’ to ‘understand’, regardless of the subject.
I’ve taught KS4 maths before. The GCSE PE questions pupils scored the highest on were the topics I taught outside; on their feet and doing.
Why teach this?
It’s time to get practical – reach out to those kinaesthetic learners, engage your audience to understand, not just listen… and forget.
Key curriculum links
- Identifying and explaining fitness components
Starter activity
Display these instructions in the changing room:
- Watch the video clip
- Identify the components of fitness shown
- Can you describe why the character needs that component of fitness?
Show a Rocky training montage (there are a lot to choose from). Students can write down their responses as the clip plays or discuss with talk partners at the end. It is a quick way to evaluate students’ previous knowledge of the topic whilst also giving your top end a chance to shine by giving them a challenge.
What better motivation to start a lesson – Rocky IV, hearts on fire!
John Maycock teaches at Skegness Academy, part of Greenwood Academies Trust. Browse ideas for National Fitness Day.
