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Hello PE Nation!

Let's create something special.

Field days create magical end-of-year experiences for students, requiring thoughtful planning and creativity to master. With proper preparation, themes, games, and volunteer support, these special events become memorable celebrations of physical activity.

• Breaking field days into K-1, 2-3, and 4-5 grade groups for manageable 2-2.5 hour sessions
• Optional themes like Star Wars, Olympics, or water games can enhance the experience
• Plan logistics at least a month ahead, securing administration support and teacher buy-in
• Create a game map with numbered stations and clear rotation schedule
• Recruit parent volunteers and trusted student helpers to run stations
• Select activities based on class numbers with 8-10 minutes per station
• Popular stations include obstacle courses, gaga ball, bucket stacking, relay races, and tug of war
• Regularly update activities while keeping student favorites
• Prepare for the physical demands of setup and teardown

Put in the work, watch the magic happen, and create memories your students will cherish forever.

Take care,

Dave

Article on Field Days with a map and list of games

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Jim Hambel (https://x.com/JPEileenstrong) shares his MacGyver-like approach to building comprehensive physical education programs with limited budgets and resources. Drawing from his years of PE teaching experience, he demonstrates how creativity, partnerships, and resourcefulness can compensate for minimal funding.

• Utilizing relationships with sports organizations like USTA, Bowler's Ed, and PHIT America to secure free equipment and professional coaching
• Implementing bowling instruction as a pathway to teaching physical literacy, accuracy, and transferable skills
• Reaching out to local businesses to enhance PE curriculum through volunteer partnerships
• Applying for educational grants and using social media to discover new resources and teaching ideas
• Adapting instruction to work in unconventional spaces like third-floor gyms and hallways
• Emphasizing that student engagement comes from teacher creativity rather than expensive equipment
 

Let me know what you think,

Dave 

Join me on Substack where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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Greetings PE Nation!

Today I wanted to give you a "best-of" compilation of my recent guests on the show, including insightful clips and funny moments.ere are some highlights:

• Implementing standards effectively through advance planning and focusing on the most important outcomes
• Using creative teaching tools like Webster the inflatable puppet to engage young learners
• All Kids Bike program helps kindergartners learn to ride through a progressive approach from balance bikes to pedals
• Replacing the word "jail" with "quicksand" in games makes activities more inclusive for all students
• Bowling provides students with transferable skills they can use at social gatherings
• Creating memorable experiences through special units and challenges like Amazing Race activities
• Developing student autonomy by teaching them to set up equipment and run activities independently
• Simple games like "Toss Three" effectively teach fundamental skills while requiring minimal setup

Hope you enjoy it,

Dave

Join me on Substack where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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Greetings PE Nation!

Don't be scared! Tower of Terror is a strategic PE game featuring bucket stacking with scooters, blindfolds, and teamwork despite its scary-sounding name. The game builds from simple scooter relays to complex strategic challenges where teams must decide between building their tower and attempting to knock down opponents' structures.

• Teams of 4-5 students use scooters to transport buckets and build pyramid structures
• Round one involves basic bucket transport and stacking
• Round two adds a "driver" who pushes the scooter rider
• Round three incorporates blindfolds for the drivers with verbal guidance from riders
• Round four turns the activity into a competitive race
• Round five introduces Gatorskin balls that blindfolded players can throw to knock down opposing towers
• Color-coding buckets and equipment helps with organization
• Students rotate positions throughout the game for maximum participation
• Safety with blindfolds must be emphasized before and during play

Check out the links and videos below!

Dave

Tower of Terror video

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***New FREE Video Course!!!***

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FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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What's up PE Nation!

Today I share the five critical mistakes PE teachers make based on my 14 years of experience teaching outdoor physical education in Florida, providing practical strategies to avoid these common pitfalls.

• Being inconsistent with rules, procedures, and consequences across different students or classes
• Treating PE as if it were recess rather than establishing clear classroom management
• Poor time management that wastes valuable instructional minutes
• Neglecting educational standards by implementing viral games without curriculum alignment
• Failing to prepare backup plans for unexpected disruptions like weather or facility issues

 Click on the links in the show notes to access free resources, including my e-book.

Dave

Join me on Substack where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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Welcome PE Nation!

Today I share my five favorite large group invasion games that develop strategy, tactics, and skill development for PE classes of all sizes, whether teaching inside or outside.

1. Crossover - teams try to get all players across to the opponent's side while avoiding taggers with pool noodles

2. Capture the Flag- features three jerseys (flags) per team on tall cones that must be retrieved from opponent territory

3. Capture the Football- requires teams to retrieve the football from opponent's box and either run or throw it across midline to score

4. Hunger Games- includes immunity jerseys, tennis balls for points, and strategic items like safety hoops and extra noodles

5. Save the World- challenges teams to knock down pins in opponent territory using dodgeballs while avoiding being tagged

• All games can be modified with different tagging methods: simple tagging, pool noodles, or flag belts for increasing difficulty

Try them out!

Dave

Article with every link and graphic: https://medium.com/educreation/my-favorite-large-group-invasion-games-bc89e729aba4

Join me on Substack where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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Sweep the leg PE Nation!

Martial arts provides a powerful dimension to physical education programs with benefits extending far beyond self-defense. After achieving my black belt in karate 21 years ago, I've incorporated martial arts into my PE curriculum to help students develop character, confidence, and practical skills.

• Partnership with a local Taekwondo studio bringing a 7-9 week program to second graders
• Non-contact program featuring blocks, kicks, and strikes with no physical interaction
• Students learn respect, modesty, perseverance, self-control, and honesty
• Martial arts accommodates different learning styles and preferences
• Building self-confidence helps students stand taller and feel more secure
• Basic self-defense skills provide foundational safety knowledge
• Program culminates in a board-breaking ceremony where parents hold boards for their children
• Students receive white belts and certificates to celebrate their accomplishments

Go for it!

Dave

Join me on Substack where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

Send us a text

Welcome PE Nation!

I want to share a fun card game based on the TV show "Traitors" that I've adapted for my PE classes as a rainy day activity. This engaging game of deduction and strategy has been a hit with my students and offers a great alternative when outdoor activities aren't possible.

• Uses a standard deck of cards with jokers as "traitors" and aces as "detectives"
• Works best with 2 traitors and 2 detectives for a class of 25 students
• Players are eliminated at night by traitos, while detectives try to identify the traders
• Group discussions lead to voting someone out, continuing until faithfuls or traitors win
• Perfect for grades 3-5 during indoor days, picture day disruptions, or extreme weather
• Pairs well with other indoor activities like BrainPop videos on health, cup stacking, and Kahoots
• Requires some management to keep eliminated students quiet and discussions moving efficiently

Give it a try!

Dave

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Mafia card game explained: https://youtu.be/Wx7kz5LpAz4?si=W6XM-DaY4l3_pluA

Beg, Borrow, Build and Steal ebook with links, Free game PDFs and my personal grant writing files: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beg-Borrow-Build-and-Steal-Equipment-13063549

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

Send us a text

Greeting PE Nation!

In this episode I share my accidental invention of "Splatball," a creative PE game using water-filled tennis ball canisters that explode on impact. This game emerged while seeking wind-resistant alternatives to traditional bowling pins for outdoor play.

• Game involves two teams trying to knock down opponent's water-filled canisters
• Can be played with bowling balls, hockey sticks, or other equipment
• Students whose pins get knocked down join offensive play so no one sits out
• Works best outdoors where splashing water evaporates quickly
• Various modifications possible based on age group and available space

Grab the free Splatball PDF in the episode notes to try this game with your students, and check out the video link to see the game in action. 

Take care,

Dave

FREE Splatball PDF

Splatball Video 1

Splatball Video 2

Join my Substack newsletter, where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Beg, Borrow, Build and Steal ebook with links, Free game PDFs and my personal grant writing files: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beg-Borrow-Build-and-Steal-Equipment-13063549

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Amazon Ebook: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

Send us a text

Helmets on PE Nation!

In this episode we explore how to create a bike program for PE classes. Learning to ride bikes in PE class gives students both essential physical skills and valuable road safety knowledge while creating memorable experiences.

• Started with a one-day professional development course on biking for PE teachers
• District offered a bike trailer program with bikes and scooters for schools
• Created obstacle courses teaching road safety, signals, and proper crossing techniques
• Students learned through both structured activities and free riding time
• Used hairnets under helmets to address hygiene concerns
• When district funding ended, began planning a DIY approach through donations
• Storage remains the biggest challenge - considering outdoor shed options
• Looking into grants, PTO funding, and police department helmet programs
• Applies to any PE activity: "If you dream it, build it, make it work, make it happen"

Let's ride,

Dave

Link to article with the "Biking Tree" picture!

Join my Substack newsletter, where I share PE tips, games and strategies.

***New FREE Video Course!!!***

Beg, Borrow, Build and Steal ebook with links, Free game PDFs and my personal grant writing files: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Beg-Borrow-Build-and-Steal-Equipment-13063549

Become a guest on the show: podcast signup form

FREE E-Book on setting up your PE program

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Get my book: High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator’s Quest for Excellence

Paperback or download: HERE

Amazon Ebook: HERE

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/