Yard Games in PE: Fun Physical Activity for EveryoneJohn G. Helion, Ed.D.Stan Cramer, Ph.D.Matthew Cummiskey, Ph.D.

West Chester University of PA

2014AAHPERD National Conference, St. Louis, MO

Rationale• The purpose of a quality

PE program is to guide youngsters in the process of becoming physically active for a lifetime – Graham 2007

• Physical educators endeavor to teach students a variety of activities that can be enjoyed for a lifetime – Leiberman 2012

• Yard games fulfill this goal

Why Yard Games?

• The ratio of health andfitness benefits is highestfor light to moderate PA(most benefits for just getting off the couch)

▫ Garber and colleagues (2011): “reducing total time spent in sedentary pursuits and interspersing short bouts of physical activity and standing between periods of sedentary activity should be a goal for all adults, irrespective of their exercise habits. Exercise performed in this manner improves physical and mental health and/or fitness”

▫ What matters most in improving fitness is the total energy expended in metabolic equivalents (METs) (Pollard & Rice, 2007). Therefore, duration and frequency can be used to offset the lower intensity of yard games.

▫ Dunstan and colleagues (2012) found that simply walking for two minutes following 20 minutes of sitting significantly reduce glucose levels in the blood. Overall the researchers found that any interruption of sedentary periods was enough to improve several indicators of health.

Why Yard Games?

• Ideally suited for obese, persons with disabilities and the elderly

• Easy to organize (right out back door, requires few others)

• Startup costs are low (some equipment can be made at home)

• Rules are relatively simple and easy to implement

Why Yard Games• Proximity• Cognitively Engaging• Different Activity Levels• Welcomes Different Ability

Levels (Not Just Biggest, Fastest or Strongest)

• Multi- Generational• Highly Social

Some May Not Agree• Not Moderate to Vigorous

Activity

• They marginalize us

• Associated with alcoholic consumption

• We teach the whole child – Fortune 500 skills

• I see all kinds of people playing these games at a variety of venues

• Opens the conversation regarding responsible behavior

Ladder Golf

Kubb

KanJam

Washers

Bocce

Sample Assessment RubricCriteria Excellent (4) OK (3)

Needs Improvement

(2)

Below Basic (1)

Adherence to rules

Students follow all rules without exception

One or two minor errors that do not signifi-cantly impact the course of play or the outcome

Several minor errors or one major error, disrupts play, need intervention on part of teacher

Fails to follow several major rules, cannot describe proper rule(s) when asked

Keeping score

Able to keep score accurately, no errors

Some confusion as to the score or how points are earned

Inconsistently keeps score and /or consistently makes mistakes

Does not know the score, has not been attempting to keep score

Etiquette Brings positive energy, cares about group success, respects other participants

Maintains self-control, minor lapse in sports-personship

Not a distraction but not helping one’s team

Lacks self-control, verbally or nonverbally inappropriate

Engagement Focused, on task whole class, seeks to improve performance, tries hard

Works independently, can keep activity going

Shows some effort, does not extend self fully, somewhat dis-attached

“Just there”, does bare minimum

Thank you for attending!• Dr. Helion• dhelion@wcupa.edu

• Dr. Cramer• dcramer@wcupa.edu

• Dr. Cummiskey• mcummiskey@wcupa.edu

• Enjoy the remainder of the convention

• Additional materials available on http://thenewPE.com