PE’s Got Talent: How to Advocate for Quality Physical Education…Really

written by Martin Donahue, Slippery Rock University

Want a fall activity that is student centered, standards based, creates authentic, exciting, entertaining learning experiences that can be used K-12 and demonstrates the quality and importance of a Physical Education Class? Try a PE's Got Talent show based on the popular TV series "America's Got Talent."

America's Got Talent sparked my attention and inspired me because of the number of acts that included some type of physical activity or physical skill. Twenty-six of the sixty-one contestants invited to perform in New York City demonstrated some type of physical skill. The acts were amazing and included, dance, rhythmic activities, feats of balance, and displays of strength. Now children are emulating these performances.

Recently I noticed a group of students doing tricks on pogo sticks while another was riding a scooter in patterns around them. All in front of a panel of judging peers. In this article, I'll explain how a PE's Got Talent show can be implemented, and suggest ways for not only showcasing the benefits of Physical Education but also demonstrate methods for keeping students motivated to participate and hopefully be more active outside school as well.

How It Works

A PE's Got Talent show is basically a talent show in which children showcase the physical skills they learn and practice in physical education classes. Each act is 90 seconds long. This allows a large number of acts to perform during the show. The number of acts or number of shows depends on the number of students in a school and grades included. Groups do not have to have equal numbers; students can decide whom they work with or how many are necessary for their performance. It is wise however to not allow pairs and individual acts, as a large number of acts will extend the duration of the show. All students should have the opportunity to perform; in fact, at the secondary level performance should be a class requirement.

Getting the children excited about the performance (contest) is easy. Describe what you have in mind for the show as part of a class closure, and tell students to start brainstorming ideas to bring next class. Then dedicate that next class to discussion, rehearsal, determining space needs, trying equipment, choreographing movements, etc. Encourage practice out of class time or at home.

Set a date for the show. If possible make it an evening show that families can attend and create invitations. As the date of the show nears, provide additional class time for rehearsal. The instant activity at the beginning of class is an excellent time for rehearsing the acts.

Keep It Student Centered

In order to get a variety of acts, give the students as few parameters or rules as are needed to ensure safety and fairness. Let the students think of the skills they want to perform. Children get more excited when they have chosen or feel ownership in the act. Previous acts my students have performed have included basketball dribbling skills, pogo sticks, a holiday gymnastic routine, Frisbee tricks, etc. If given the opportunity students will be very creative. For any students who are stuck have in mind some routines to suggest. Possibilities might include: square dancing, rope jumping, folk dance, tinikling, the basketball dance from High School Musical and others based on your curriculum. These suggestions usually get modified by students before the performance so ultimately they do become the students' ideas.

How Do You Get to Carnegie Hall: Practice

The key to hosting an impressive show is that students understand that you are challenging them to perform as well as they can. Try to get them motivated to the extent that they are willing to practice until the skill is done as best as it can be done. Generate excitement about what they are learning in physical education and will be performing. Ideally you want your students to look forward to practicing at home. Send invitations home to families to attend the show. The excitement generated will provide more motivation for students to practice. For some it might be the "competition," while for others just the joy of showing their skills. Either way it's a step in the direction of being a lifelong mover.

Judges

Keep the judges as an exciting part of the act, but keep comments positive. Possible judges are PE teachers from the district, administrators, teachers, parents or anyone willing to help. Celebrities are judges on the TV show. These high profile judges add to the excitement. Performers and the audience seem to respond positively to high profile judges from the district or community. Allow the judges 90 seconds (30 seconds each) for comments after each performance. This is also allows time to set up for the next act. Prepare notes for the judges for each act so if the judges are not great improvisers they have reference materials. Have three sentences for each performer, one per judge. Use the NASPE or state standards and Laban's movement themes as the notes. An example might be, "that was a great example of moving in relationship to others, you were near and far, you also mirrored each other's movements.” Of course, judges do not have to stick to the notes if they have other positive comments.

Advocate for Physical and Health Education by having obvious references to the standards in the judges comments, especially if a judge is an administrator. Inviting prominent members of the community to attend is an effective way of advocating for physical education. Invitees might include, school board members, local, or state representatives or senators (one did attend). Politicians love to attend events with children so be sure to invite the press and let your guests know. A colleague of mine invited the President and First Lady to his show. Although neither attended they both replied.

Is It Standards Based?

PE's Got Talent can accomplish all 5 NASPE standards. Do students demonstrate competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patters? (NASPE 1). Absolutely, whether it is locomotor skills, manipulative skills, feats of strength or balance, or combinations of these. Preparing for a performance and rehearsing will inherently create competent movers, especially if the movers feel ownership of the performance. Additionally, the self-assessment that goes along with rehearsing helps students know and decide when they are competent. The role of the Physical Education Teacher can be a guide that helps students accomplish their goals by providing feedback, resources and encouragement.

Do students have knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies, and practices? (NASPE 2). They can achieve this through rehearsal and understanding how to improve the movement to a standard the students themselves set. Students demonstrate responsible social behavior (NASPE 4). It is going to take teamwork whether the teacher or the students decide the groups. Watch any group rehearse or practice and the ongoing communication required for all to achieve the team's goals is obvious. Students recognize physical activity for enjoyment (NASPE 5), challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction. Just having proud parents watch students perform in the show illustrates the joy that being physically active brings to both performers and spectators.

Clear Evidence of Learning

Rubrics can be developed but are often not necessary. Rubrics may help keep students on task as they develop their routine, especially elementary aged students. But self-assessment may be the most important aspect of a PE's Got Talent show. As children are preparing for the performance, they surely learn to identify strengths and weaknesses. The physical education teacher may have to provide strategies for improving performance, but most talented individuals whether in sport, dance, or music have coaches, teachers or mentors. Reflection on progress, either by the teacher or the students provides clear evidence that learning is occurring. Take video of students on day one and compare this to the show performance. Have students reflect on the changes they can see, and the challenges and successes they have encountered.

Collaboration and Curriculum Integration

The obvious choice here if you are familiar with the TV show is to collaborate with the music teacher to select music that may coincide with the act or current units or lessons. Art teachers could collaborate in having students prepare backgrounds or props. The possibilities are endless; any act could be an exercise in integration with any of the subjects in your school.

Show Off for Parents and Administrators

Too often physical education teachers are isolated in the gym. Having a PE's Got Talent show lets physical educators showcase their talents and their value as teachers. There's nothing parents love more than to see their children perform and excel. Let's give them this chance. Physical education teachers do great things in their classrooms. It is time to show the world, or at least those around you, that PE's Got Talent.

References
NBC (2013) Americas got talent. Retrieved September 30, 2013. From http://www.nbc.com/americas-got-talent/

National Association for Sport and Physical Education (2013). National Standards. Retrieved Sept 30, 1013. From www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards.

(back to pelinks4u homepage)