Standard 1: Scientific and Theoretical Knowledge

Physical education teacher candidates know and apply discipline-specific scientific and
theoretical concepts critical to the development of physically educated individuals.
This standard seeks to develop the scientific and theoretical knowledge of the teacher
candidates through a variety of aspects of physical education. First, teacher candidates should
be able to describe and apply physiological and biomechanical concepts related to skillful
movement, physical activity and fitness. There are many different aspects in the preparation of
becoming a physical educator. The teacher should also be able to describe and apply motor
learning and psychological/ behavioral theory related to skillful movement, physical activity and
fitness. Understanding the different psychological theories will help the teacher understand the
students better. Applying that knowledge of development will help when lesson planning,
because the teacher can use sequential progression for different skills. A teacher candidate
must also be able to describe and apply motor development theories and principles related to
skillful physical activity and fitness. By understanding developmental patterns, the teacher can
then create developmentally appropriate objectives for each lesson. . A teacher candidate
should be able to identify historical, philosophical, and social perspectives of physical education
issues and legislation. . Lastly, teachers must able to analyze and correct critical elements of
motor skills and performance concepts. By applying all the knowledge from different aspects of
physical education, teachers should be able to notice motor development successes and
failures. The teacher will also be able to correct errors performed by students during motor
development.
This standard is important for the development of a physical educator because being
able to take what you have learned, and use it to teach will help you to be a successful teacher.
Understanding different concepts and theories will help an educator create a personalized
teaching philosophy with theoretical evidence to back it up. Having an exceptional teaching
philosophy allows an educator to teach the way they feel they can meet the standards of the
students. It is important to be well versed in a variety of backgrounds of sport science,
psychology, biomechanics, and physiology because it will help expand the creativity of your
lessons and allow your students to gain more from class. By using historical issues, the teacher
can learn from mistakes of others and avoid other issues in the classroom. It is also important
to consider the social perspectives of the students because all students react differently in
social situations. As a teacher, you are the medium and have complete neutrality when dealing
with students social issues. Being able to incorporate all of these aspects into your teaching
styles and models, the students will gain more knowledge of the content and the teacher will
be more confident when teaching.
This standard relates to me because I have completed a wide range of courses
throughout college. These classes range from Exercise Psychology to Musculoskeletal Anatomy
to Biomechanics. As a physical educator it is crucial to put theory into practice. Having the
knowledge of all these courses, its important to teach the students what we know. As a future
educator I feel this standard helps me to understand the reasoning behind why we lesson plan
the way we do, or why some students develop at different rates than others. There are times
during my teaching experiences I have had a minor problem such as having too many students
standing around. I thought back to different strategies to get everyone involved; this helped fix
the situation by dividing the students into small groups. Below is an exercise contract that I had
one class I worked with fill out in order to promote physical fitness. I felt this was a good idea
because after taking an exercise psychology course, I found that setting goals prior to starting a
physical fitness regimen will help you to achieve the goals. I have used theories and other
knowledge of the cognitive and affective aspects of exercise to write lesson plans and promote
mentally and socially healthy lifestyles other than just a physically fit lifestyle.
Exercise Workout Contract
A plan to help keep you active Staying active isnt difficult if you have a partner
team up with others and make it happen.
It is much more difficult to fail when you have someone else pulling
for you too!
So fill it out and find someone to help hold you to it.
I, _________________________, enter into this contract with ______________________ on
this _____ day of ______________, ______ to help improve my health and foster a lifetime of
healthy choices. With the help of my classmates, I plan to develop a habit of staying active and
eating healthy.
My responsibilities include the following things that I will do: (answer the question of what you will do,
such as being physically active at least 30 minutes a day (jump rope, playing soccer, tag etc.) or eat fast food only
once per month make it as specific as possible)
1.
2.
3.
As a reward for holding up my end of this contract . . . (create a reward for yourself that can work for,
such as going out to eat or treat yourself to a movie)
1.


Signed by me: Date:
Signed by my accountability partner: Date: