Task Using the handout on different sports answer the following questions for each sport. What is the Ivy League? Why do you think this sport has become so popular in the USA? (mention its characteristics) Why do you think that these sports are not as popular in the UK? Does this game seem similar to an sports that we play in the UK (or any other sport you have seen)?

PE & Sport in American High School Wk 2 Comparative Studies

Lesson Objectives Understand the provision and opportunity made for sport in American high schools Explain extra curricular activities in the USA Understand the significance if title IX legislation

Buzz Words Curriculum Decentralised Co– education State schools Private schools College Kindergarten National curriculum Command style Self discovery Opportunities Athletic Scholarships Lombardian ethic Radical ethic Counter culture

Decentralised Once again schooling and the curriculum is decentralised which means that what is being taught in one state may not necessarily be taught in another.

School Structure Kindergarten (1 – 5 yrs) Elementary school (6 -11 yrs) Junior high ( years) Senior high (15 – 17 yrs)

High School 2 main types State schools (free education) co– education (mixed boys and girls) Private schools (fee paying) normally church schools and tend to be single sex 75% of high school students continue on to college (university, not 6 th form college)

American Curriculum No external exams, based on continual assessment There is no national curriculum (unlike the UK) Work is given a grade A- F A pass is awarded a high school diploma Need a diploma to get into college

P.E Programme Compulsory subject with excellent facilities (e.g. some schools have ice rinks)- but more and more schools are making it optional Designed and inspected by the superintendent of school board (similar to board of governors) Has to be delivered by individual teacher Very little time for self discovery at high school, most work is delivered in a command style, this is not the case in the UK

Adapted Physical Activity P.E which has been adapted to meet the needs of people with physical or mental disabilities Very popular in the USA Government policy demands that provision is made Involves a number of different activities Special needs are integrated into mainstream schooling.

Tasks Compare the American schooling system to that in the UK. Identify the positives and negatives of each system. [6]

Answer Positive and negative of the US system Take away individuals chance to learn Can create a very elitist atmosphere Progression may be lost between kindergarten and high school PE becoming optional means that general health & fitness in in decline Expensive to deliver due to excellent facilities Facilities much better than most of those in the UK Well managed by superintendent Produces top class athletes

Decline In PE! Increase in obesity rates Dangerously low fitness levels Government initiatives to encourage more fitness participation and reverse the trend in dwindling PE numbers

Extra Curricular In comparison to PE in schools Extra curricular sport is very strong and ever growing Sport Lombardian Ethic Radical Ethic Counter Culture

Specialist Coaches A large team of coaches are in charge of specialist coaches have charge of specific school teams. The head coach is accountable to the athletic director These teams attract HUGE crowds which each school accommodates in its stadiums Talent scouts watch these games to recruit future professionals

Worksheet Begin worksheet 2.4 and complete for homework

Buzz words

Research task Use the following website to make comparisons between a typical American college and a typical British university

Comparison of US and UK Colleges US US UK UK % of students involved Activities on offer