chapter 11 Programs Before, During, and After School and Special Events

Physical Activity Experiences The elementary school physical activity program should provide students with a variety of extracurricular activities including activity clubs, intramurals, single school events, and community events. These activities are in addition to the scheduled physical education class, recess, and classroom teacher–led daily physical activity. What distinguishes these experiences from other aspects of the physical activity program is that they are voluntary.

To Structure or Not to Structure Opportunities K through grade 2: Provide opportunity for organized free play or station play. Grades 3, 4, and 5: Provide structured activities. Designate an area for child-directed activities and another for programmed or instructional activities. Whether the program is structured or not, children should have the opportunity to participate in a variety of developmentally appropriate physical activities in a safe environment.

Administrative Duties of the Program The physical education teacher or a hired staff may be responsible for implementing the program. Delegating specific responsibilities to certain individuals involved in putting the program into action is crucial for running an effective program.

Responsibilities of PA Staff Ensuring that events begin and end at scheduled times Ensuring that designated activity areas are safe (e.g., providing adequate space for the activity, free of debris and potential hazards) Seeing that the activity area is prepared with enough equipment to accommodate all participants and that nets or goals (or both) are set up before student arrival (continued)

Responsibilities of PA Staff (continued) Supervising children during activity Supervising children who arrive early or whose ride is late to pick them up Administering first aid during the activity or event (continued)

Responsibilities of PA Staff (continued) Returning the activity area to its original state by taking down nets and goals and returning equipment to storage Unlocking or securing the facility Enforcing standards of behavior

Providing a Variety of Opportunities A physical activity program should provide students with a variety of organized and voluntary physical activities. A diverse selection of sports and recreational activities should be designed for students with a wide range of abilities with the intent to meet the needs of every student in the school. Different types of activities may be provided through activity clubs, intramurals, single events, and school and community events.

Activity Club Options Organized by interest in a particular activity (e.g., soccer, in-line skating, gymnastics, dance, bicycling) Designed to accommodate a larger percentage of the school population in terms of physical ability and developmental appropriateness (e.g., walking, running, fitness, or jump rope clubs) Scheduled to meet one or more times a week, before, during, or after school Students given an opportunity to build upon existing skills and learn new skills

Intramurals Intramurals should extend and complement the physical education program. They typically involve individual or dual and team activities. Intramural opportunities may include activity clubs, opportunities for free play, instructional activities, or opportunities to play or participate in staff- directed activities. When selecting intramural activities, consider activities included in the physical education curriculum, the skill level of students, and student needs and interests. (continued)

Intramurals (continued) Instructional opportunities should be available for new or novel activities and for younger or less skilled students. Younger and less skilled participants will require more staff-directed and instructional opportunities for successful participation in many sport-related and recreational activities. Modify games and equipment to meet the needs of elementary school students. (continued)

Intramurals (continued) Upper elementary students developing skills for game play should be provided with opportunities to play modified versions of the game. Select teams in a way that does not put the less skilled in a threatening position. Organize teams to play each other by skill level if large numbers of teams are needed. Change the makeup of teams often to give students the opportunity to play with different team members. (continued)

Intramurals (continued) The majority of intramural play for elementary age students will be cooperative and self-testing. More skilled students may want to play more competitively. –Competitive play should always be a choice for students. –Students preferring cooperative play should be provided the option.

Single Events Single physical activity events may include activities such as school or charity fund-raisers, field days, or local city marathons that have special events to involve children. Single events provide opportunities for schoolwide participation in physical activity. Examples of single events: –Jump Rope for Heart –School Walk for Diabetes –Field Day

Schoolwide Events Schoolwide events may include the following: Morning exercise via television, intercom system, or assemblies Active transportation (e.g., walk or bike to school) Walking initiatives (e.g., log miles to walk across the state)

Community Events The physical activity committee should work in tandem with area community centers, YMCAs, parks and recreation departments, tennis clubs, karate studios, bowling lanes, and so on. Community facilities can be used to outsource school-sponsored programs.

Planning Events in Advance The physical activity program should be planned in advance like other curricular areas. The yearly plan should be in place prior to the start of the school year. The yearly plan specifies the calendar for the clubs, intramurals, and special events that will be part of the school physical activity program. (continued)

Planning Events in Advance (continued) The committee should have knowledge of participants in each activity and knowledge of students who are not participating. Using the Activitygram (part of the Fitnessgram program) several times a year will help you identify students who may need to be specifically targeted for special programming.