Physical Education

Differentiated instruction through the lens of physical education

Physical education teachers are responsible for teaching all students of varying experiences and abilities, including students with permanent or temporary physical disabilities, cultural differences, and English learners. Physical education teachers usually have an individual education plan (IEP) for adapted physical education students, which need to be followed to differentiate for students with disabilities. Students with special needs, as well as advanced learners, often require differentiation strategies to ensure appropriately challenging curriculum and instruction. The strategies are similar for both types of learners and include pacing, depth, novelty, and complexity.

What does differentiation look like in a physical education instructional setting? 

Establish a physically and emotionally safe, inclusive environment where students are encouraged to ask questions and to take risks by performing skills in front of peers. Additionally:

• Use a variety of ways to explain a concept or assignment, including using pictures to accompany oral and written instructions
• Teach general and specific vocabulary, including idioms when appropriate
• Set up tutoring situations with pairs, cross-age tutors, or aides to offer additional assistance
• Enlist the help of parents at home when possible
• Establish special sessions to prepare students for unfamiliar testing situations
• Frequently ask each student to explain what he/she knows about the concept being taught
• Allow students to demonstrate their understanding and abilities in a variety of ways, e.g., verbal, written, or physically, alone or with a peer who is coached to show the movement
• Allow extra time during assessment situations if students process slowly

Sample lesson

Fitness Strategies for Vacation Time - Grade 8
Fitness activities that may be performed at home differ from activities that can be performed while on a car trip or another type of vacation. Students explore types of fitness activities that can be performed with little or no supplies/equipment. This lesson offers options to students to choose activities appropriate for their skill levels and interests.

Standards resources

California Department of Education California Content Standards
http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/index.asp (outside link)
Content standards define the knowledge, concepts, and skills each student should acquire at each grade level.

California Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/cf/allfwks.asp (outside link)
Each of the frameworks outlines how instructional programs can be directed to meet the needs of providing students Universal Access.