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Abstract
The aim of health and physical education (HPE) is to help children and youth develop physical activity and health behaviors that will benefit them throughout their lives. However, adolescent girls are often disengaged in HPE. Girls place considerable importance on having a socially supportive learning environment. Therefore, teachers should try to promote relatedness establish a supportive environment in which students have opportunities to develop healthy relationships with others in and beyond HPE. This article describes a school initiative, Girls in Action [GIA], created to provide girls with the opportunity to be active in a supportive environment. Designed by two high school HPE teachers, GIA has the goal of empowering young women to have a voice in planning physical activity events and participate in these events with other women outside of HPE. Steps on how to implement a program like GIA in a school are presented.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Jennifer Gruno
Jennifer Gruno ([email protected]) is a doctoral student in the School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Sandra L. Gibbons
Sandra L. Gibbons is a professor in the School of Exercise Science, Physical & Health Education at the University of Victoria in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Richel Condie
Richel Condie is a physical and health educator in School District 61 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.
Deanna Wilton
Deanna Wilton is a physical and health educator in School District 61 in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada.