Middle School PE Was Never a Thrill Ride
Capture the Flag, Tag, Dodgeball, Foursquare… and the dreaded Tetherball.
Those were the activities we had to choose from as a middle schooler at E.O. Green in Oxnard, CA. The reality of having to “dress out” in the middle of the day to participate in these activities still is disturbing to recall. We had to wear bright kelly green snap front rompers that were made of lightweight cotton pajama fabric. Standing all in a row, my classmates and I resembled a crew of tormented patients, not athletes about to push our limits of physical fitness.
I do remember having the advantage of being a small, very fast, aggressive, and wiry young girl so I did well in anything that needed speed and agility. Dodgeball was a favorite — no one could eliminate me. But, I got hammered in Tetherball. I was much shorter than my classmates so that ball would spin high above me. I watched it careen so fast and high above my reach and I hopelessly just tried to avoid getting smashed in the head. Defeated, every time!
I have been recently pulled back into the memories of middle school since I work in the fitness industry as a software consultant. In 2021, with new advances in software and gamification for fitness, the curriculums have been propelled as well. Using various new curriculums such as SPARK PE and Shape America, teachers are incorporating the use of heart monitors the students wear on their wrists, with progress metrics that are recorded and tracked. According to P.E. instructor Matt Butler, who teaches at Lenihan Intermediate School “Physical education nowadays is a lot different,” Butler said. “We care about movement, focusing on not just skill development, but increasing cardiovascular endurance — different ways to make ourselves healthy.”
One of the middle school athletic directors I am working with is planning on adding a spin studio.
Seriously, this sounds like more fun than playing capture the flag.
Based on the premise that that exercise puts the brain into the optimal state for learning, their program hopes to set students up for a lifelong education on how to treat their bodies right. Throughout the school year, they will learn how to set and monitor achievable SMART goals as they relate to cardiorespiratory endurance.
I have had multiple schools looking into the 3D immersive program we offer. They want to deliver the full experience with huge displays, avatars on the screen, and music to drive the 45-minute ride for their students. Students can choose their avatars, dress them in cool outfits, and their actual performance data is collected and shows up on the screen moving the avatar. It’s a thrilling ride, and what they like best about it is that they find themselves working harder.”
I am thrilled that I get to be a part of a new era in Physical Education and wellness for this young generation. I believe that students today will respond to the gamification of fitness and in doing so will sweat through their expensive Adidas wear.
Must be nice.
Maybe I’m a bit jealous too.