The Physical Education Hall of Shame, Part IV: More Inappropriate Games, Activities, and Practices

Abstract

The development of positive attitudes toward lifelong participation in sport-related physical activities through quality school-based programs is a critical goal for the physical education profession. Scientific evidence indicates that a physically active lifestyle helps to prevent disease, improve health, and increase longevity. Physical educators should be teaching children to become active for a lifetime, but regrettably, school-based physical education programs often discourage students because many of their games, activities, and teaching practices reflect a lack of critical thinking and are exclusionary, counterproductive, or contraindicated. The Physical Education Hall of Shame is composed of inappropriate games, activities, and teaching practices, and was established so that physical educators might become more reflective practitioners of their profession. Seven new “inductees” are analyzed in this article: tug of war, capture the flag, climb the rope, all-star lines, athletes sit out on game days, shirts vs. skins, and attendance taken while students sit in squad lines.

Acknowledgments

The author would like to recognize and thank the PEHOS Advisory Board for their insights and assistance in the preparation of this article: Christopher Cain, Paris Elementary School, Aurora, CO; Jeremy Corona, Lake Bluff Elementary School, Lake Bluff, IL; Rick Dekeon, Northside Elementary School, Ann Arbor, MI; Steven Henkel, Bethel University, St. Paul, MN; JiJi Jonas, Broadmoor High School, Baton Rouge, LA; Mark Manross, executive director/co-founder of PE Central, Blacksburg, VA; Amber Phillips, Ball State University, Muncie, IN; Scott Ronspies, Eastern Illinois University, Charleston, IL; Sandra K. Sims, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL; and Gay Timken, Western Oregon University, Monmouth, OR.