Students and teachers are all familiar with the old standby PE games like tag, tetherball, kickball, dodgeball, and capture the flag. However, in some parts of the US and internationally, there are physical education programs incorporating unconventional physical education activities into their PE lesson plans. Instead of the typical jumping jacks, pushups, and laps around the track, these programs are introducing students to a whole new side of physical activity and proper nutrition. Check out our 5 favorite unconventional physical activities that forward-thinking programs are implementing today!
Yoga
The health benefits of yoga have received increased attention in Western culture over the years. It has been heralded for its meditative and strength-building benefits. More and more schools have started to offer yoga as part of their standard physical education curriculum. Yoga focuses on breathing and stretching exercises meant to calm the mind. If it can’t find its way into the full PE curriculum, teachers can incorporate some techniques right in the classroom. Students who participate in yoga while in school find that the benefits extend to other areas of their academic lives, such as test preparation and focus in the classroom.
Tai Chi
Students of all ages are experiencing higher levels of stress in their daily educational routines. Densely packed academic schedules, increasing workloads, and tougher standardized testing requirements have all added to the pressure that students face. To combat these increased stress levels, some PE instructors are incorporating Tai Chi into their lesson plans. Also known as shadowboxing, it has been practiced for centuries due to its ability to lower stress levels and improve overall mental health.
Hiking
Rural and mountainous areas are great places to incorporate hiking into the physical education curriculum. In some cases, the physical activity of hiking is included as part of an overarching lesson on wilderness education and outdoor survival. Hiking allows students to explore the outdoors in a way that promotes interaction with nature and benefits their physical health. To increase health benefits, pair hiking with other outdoor activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, or rock climbing.
Martial Arts
A popular way to enhance student focus within the classroom is for PE teachers to teach martial arts disciplines in their curriculum. Styles vary and include everything from wrestling to karate to judo, providing students with basic self-defense skills through physical activities. Martial arts can also teach valuable lessons about culture, history, and society.
Dance
From ballroom to hip-hop to ballet, dance has been playing an increasing role in physical education programs worldwide. The physical health benefits of dance are many, including improved coordination, increased cardiovascular capacity, and enhanced muscle tone and strength. In some programs, PE instructors also teach cultural and traditional folk dance to combine physical education activities with historical education.
What unconventional physical education activities have you added to your curriculum? Let us know in the comments!
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