Clarifying a Misconception About Assessment in PE At a nation PHE Canada conference, I ran a workshop on making self-assessment in PE both meaningful and manageable. The room was jammed with people sitting on the floor, lining the walls, even tucked in behind the projector screen. We had everyone there: pre-service PE teachers, K–12 PE teachers, professors, people from education groups, and more. The interest in assessment was real. And the conversations after? Energizing. But one stuck with...
about 1 month ago • 2 min read
Making Feedback Land in PE Assessing in PE Without Demotivating Students Picture this: a teacher watches a student demonstrate a movement pattern they’ve been working on developing. The teacher knows exactly what needs to be corrected but hesitates to give them feedback. If I say something, will they shut down?Will they think they can’t succeed in PE?They’re already not the most enthusiastic student in class. So, the moment passes. The feedback never comes. If you’ve ever felt uneasy about...
about 1 month ago • 3 min read
When Teaching PE Leaves You with Little Left in the Gas Tank Hi Reader, At this point in the year, teaching PE can start to feel different than it did earlier on. Lessons are running. Routines are established. Students generally know what’s expected. Things are working, and that is good. And yet, for many PE teachers, the end of the day now comes with a quiet, familiar thought. “Phew. I got through that.” It is often paired with feeling more tired and sore than they remember earlier in the...
2 months ago • 3 min read
What Irrelevant PD Tells Us About Student Engagement in PE Hi Reader, As physical education teachers, we all know what it feels like to sit through PD that feels irrelevant, unimportant, or completely disconnected from what we want to focus on in our teaching. What if that experience was not occasional?Imagine it was your lived reality every day, for a full semester, or even an entire school year. The topics are chosen for you.The way you are expected to engage is already decided.Your...
3 months ago • 2 min read
If behaviours are so important in PE, why is their role so unclear? Hi Reader, With many of you preparing to return to school, this felt like a good moment to reconnect. I have been quieter since November. During that time, and through the winter break, I intentionally stepped back to reflect on the projects I was involved in and the professional learning spaces I have been building for PE teachers. That pause helped me recalibrate and become clearer on where my energy and focus are best...
3 months ago • 4 min read
Why Subjectivity in PE Assessment Is Actually a Good Thing Hi Reader, What if I told you that being “subjective” in PE assessment isn’t a problem—but actually part of what makes it effective? Many PE teachers worry that assessment and grading are perceived as too subjective. They feel pressure to make decisions that appear objective, even though teaching rarely works that way. This concern is understandable—it reflects a desire for fairness and credibility. Subjectivity is not the problem,...
5 months ago • 2 min read
Want Assessment to Fuel Motivation? Do This It is common in PE to see motivation and assessment as separate parts of class, but what if they actually fuel each other? What if the hopes we have for students, to participate, have fun, grow, and build confidence, are more connected than we think? But first.... Ever wonder why games like Candy Crush, Clash of Clans, or Angry Birds are so addictive? It’s not the graphics, characters, or storylines. These games are often simple, yet they keep...
6 months ago • 2 min read
3 Ways Assessment Can Fuel Motivation in PE Hi Reader, Many think of assessment and motivation in PE as loosely connected or not connected at all. One feels like grading, the other feels like getting kids moving. In reality, assessment plays a central role in motivating students, shaping how they see themselves as movers and learners. Assessment in PE is more than recording scores or assigning grades. And motivation is more than getting kids to engage. It is about creating the conditions...
7 months ago • 2 min read
When I Stopped Doing This, Student Motivation Skyrocketed in My PE Classes Hi Reader, I hope your school year has begun smoothly. As the new school year begins, student motivation is on every PE teacher’s mind. Helping students engage meaningfully can make all the difference. Here is a lesson I learned about student motivation that has transformed how I teach, how students engage, and their motivation in PE. For years, I thought motivating students in PE was simple. Set clear expectations,...
7 months ago • 3 min read