Introduction:
My work and research for this project started within the first week of my practicum, giving me ample time to promote physical literacy, implement more physical literacy into my classes and also assess the progress throughout. From the results recorded on my pre-assessment survey of the students’ understanding of physical literacy, this early start to the project is much needed as they do not have a clear understanding of what physical literacy is. As well, by starting the project early, it gave me the opportunity to get more involved in increasing physical literacy with other students, from other classes in the school, which I had not anticipated going into the project.
My interest in physical literacy started when I heard about a program called DancePl3y, which promotes physical literacy. Prior to hearing about this program I had very little knowledge on what physical literacy was, thus I had to look-up the definition to learn more. I instantly was taken to the Physical and Health Education website which states " Physically literate individuals consistently develop the motivation and ability to understand, communicate, apply, and analyze different forms of movement. These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others, and their environment." This definition really spoke to me on a personal level because it really put a meaning to physical activity, which I did not have before. My experience as a student in gym class at school was not a positive one. It seemed that only the athletic students did well in this class, it became very discouraging and made me believe that I was not good at physical activity. Thus, by investigating more on physical literacy, I sparked an interest on how making physical literacy more a part of the gym class and the students more aware of what it could impact the participation and effort put into physical activity. As well, as a result of the increased participation and effort, would the students gain more leadership skills attainable through physical activity and behave better in the classes following gym? From all of this, my project came to be.
My interest in physical literacy started when I heard about a program called DancePl3y, which promotes physical literacy. Prior to hearing about this program I had very little knowledge on what physical literacy was, thus I had to look-up the definition to learn more. I instantly was taken to the Physical and Health Education website which states " Physically literate individuals consistently develop the motivation and ability to understand, communicate, apply, and analyze different forms of movement. These skills enable individuals to make healthy, active choices that are both beneficial to and respectful of their whole self, others, and their environment." This definition really spoke to me on a personal level because it really put a meaning to physical activity, which I did not have before. My experience as a student in gym class at school was not a positive one. It seemed that only the athletic students did well in this class, it became very discouraging and made me believe that I was not good at physical activity. Thus, by investigating more on physical literacy, I sparked an interest on how making physical literacy more a part of the gym class and the students more aware of what it could impact the participation and effort put into physical activity. As well, as a result of the increased participation and effort, would the students gain more leadership skills attainable through physical activity and behave better in the classes following gym? From all of this, my project came to be.
Other Guiding Questions:
I created my question 'Does increased physical literacy impact the behaviours of students and provide them with the skills needed to become leaders?' as the over arching question that I wanted to inquire about. However, there was another question that helped me create this question, and I will be mindful about throughout my research. One question was 'Does increased knowledge and practice of physical literacy, make gym class more enjoyable for all students?' This question truly stemmed from my personal experience as a student, as mentioned above. Another question that stemmed this inquiry, and evolved from the above question, was 'Can making physical literacy more a part of the gym class and the students more aware of what it could impact the participation and effort put into physical activity?' Further, 'As a result of the increased participation and effort, would the students gain more leadership skills attainable through physical activity and behave better in the classes following gym?' guided my inquiry too.
As well, being that I am completing this project within a Leader In Me school, I found myself curious on how the life/leadership skills promoted through this program could be built with the help of physical literacy.
As well, being that I am completing this project within a Leader In Me school, I found myself curious on how the life/leadership skills promoted through this program could be built with the help of physical literacy.