By: BJ Williston, SPARK Trainer and Curriculum Development Consultant Motivation is the general desire or willingness to do something. It is the drive and determination to get something done. That desire is part of the HOW to get things done. Motivation also includes the reasons you have for getting something done. Motivation is the incentive or stimulus […]
5 SPARK Studies That Highlight the Importance of Physical Education
December 28th, 2017
Recent studies continue to prove how effective physical education is for both the mental and physical development of children. In this blog post, we are going to highlight a handful of studies completed by SPARK, or were undertaken using SPARK principles or using the SPARK program, that have provided a valuable contribution to the research […]
6 Winter Olympic Sports Skills You Can Incorporate into Your Lesson Plans
December 20th, 2017
The Olympics is an exciting occasion for aspiring athletes around the world, who are in awe of the incredible feats of agility, strength, and grace they see on screen. Fortunately, the training that goes into developing gold-medal athletes can easily translate into simple, yet effective PE lessons. Though you may not have icy conditions and […]
Using the Olympics in Your PE Lessons
December 14th, 2017
Do you ever wish your students cared about exercising as much as they cared about watching athletes on TV? Even the most sedentary students will usually be excited by the prospect of watching the Olympics, so dont miss the opportunity to channel this upcoming sporting event into your teaching. Lets take a look at how […]
Which Non-Traditional Sport Should You Include in Your Curriculum? [QUIZ]
December 7th, 2017
Break from tradition with an alternative sport. Take our quiz and discover the ideal new activity for your PE curriculum.
Why Your Lesson Plans Should Include Non-Traditional Sports
November 30th, 2017
Many schools across the country have relied on the same sporting activities for their PE classes for decades. But, while traditional lesson plans get children moving, they might not be keeping them interested in sports and fitness in the long-run. By incorporating non-traditional sports into your PE classes, students are exposed to a whole new […]
How to Encourage Students to Try Team and Solo Sports
November 16th, 2017
Team and solo sports can be a fantastic supplement to physical education (PE) classes, promoting healthy habits and valuable life skills such as teamwork, discipline, and good sportsmanship. Not only that, but these activities can become beloved hobbies that children continue into adulthood and greatly benefit their later lives. As a physical educator, you may […]
How to Encourage Parent Involvement in PE
November 9th, 2017
After a long week of school, youd think kids would look forward to a weekend of energetic activity and adventures, but thats not necessarily the case. In fact, research suggests that childrens physical activity levels are lower on the weekends than on weekdays. The good news is, there seems to be a way to get […]
Guidelines for Enjoying a Healthy Thanksgiving
November 7th, 2017
With scrumptious side dishes, tantalizing turkey, and a decadent dessert table, the Thanksgiving holiday can put a major dent in you and your childrens healthy diet. But with a few tips from our past blog posts, you can change up your turkey day tactics with food swaps and fun games. Its the perfect recipe for […]
Maximize Your Equipment Budget with These 6 Tips
November 2nd, 2017
Having the right equipment in your PE classroom is essential. When your budget for equipment is limited, its difficult to successfully offer the full extent of activities and learning opportunities you want to give your students. While you can advocate for a budget increase, those conversations take time, and your school wont always be able […]
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