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Happy summer, PE Nation!!!

I'm excited about the new program I want to start in the fall. The Next Level Leadership program transforms PE grading through a martial arts-inspired wristband system that recognizes and develops student leadership qualities beyond athletic skill.

• Designed to reward students who demonstrate leadership, helpfulness, and good character
• Five belt levels (white, green, orange, purple, black) with increasing leadership requirements
• Program benefits include becoming field day helpers, safety patrol members, and game captains
• Focus on developing the whole child rather than just athletic ability
• White belt (beginner) requires respect, responsibility, and safety
• Green belt (awesome) requires 100% effort and good sportsmanship
• Orange belt (hero) demonstrates game knowledge and consistent helpfulness
• Purple belt (elite) requires two years of demonstrated leadership
• Black belt (ninja) reserved for fifth graders who could "run the class"
• Program designed to work over three years (grades 3-5)

Take care,

Dave

My article on "Next level Leadership"

-Supersizedphysed.com serves as the hub for all resources, articles, and courses

• Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

• A free video course on the "PE-9": principles for improving your PE program

• Free ebook on setting up your PE program, especially helpful for newer teachers

• "High Fives and Empowering Lives" book available as an ebook ($2.99) or paperback ($9.99)

Paperback or download: HERE

Amazon Ebook: HERE

• My courses: "Designing a Sport Education Unit" and "The First Week of PE" 

• Teachers Pay Teachers store with over 30 affordable resources

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

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Happy summer PE Nation!

In today's episode I encourage you to enjoy your summer break, while adding  professional development to enhance your PE program before the next school year begins.

• Supersizedphysed.com serves as the hub for all resources, articles, and courses

• Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

• A free video course on the "PE-9": principles for improving your PE program

• Free ebook on setting up your PE program, especially helpful for newer teachers

• "High Fives and Empowering Lives" book available as an ebook ($2.99) or paperback ($9.99)

Paperback or download: HERE

Amazon Ebook: HERE

• My courses: "Designing a Sport Education Unit" and "The First Week of PE" 

• Teachers Pay Teachers store with over 30 affordable resources

• The "Beg, Borrow, Build and Steal" equipment ebook for equipment management

Put in the work during summer break. Yes, take time off, rest, enjoy your family and friends, but don't wait until the last second to gear up for the next school year. Always be learning, always be listening, always be creating.

Take care,

Dave

Follow me on Twitter (X): https://x.com/PE_Dave1017

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

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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

Follow me on Twitter (X): https://x.com/PE_Dave1017

Article on Field Days with a map and list of games

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

***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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

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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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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

Teachers Pay Teachers resources: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/store/supersizedphysed

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/