Activities To Strengthen Your Physical Education Program: Presented by Dennis Stand, Bureau of Education and Research
By David Hay, LSPE,
Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Dennis Stand, "Fun PE Guy", presented an informational program on a variety of activities to use in your physical education program, or some that could even be used in your classroom. It is presented via an online format, which includes videos and discussions. It is offered a few times each school year. A handbook is also provided with a variety of activities and games. An activity that I will be using soon is line switch and rotation. This is an activity where switch means change the direction you are facing, and rotate means, front person goes to the back.
I could see this being an excellent activity to end class with, so that lining up is not as big a deal. It could be a great activity as well for classes when they line up to go to PE. Another activity I see myself using is Peel Off.
It could be used for a number of units, including soccer, basketball, throwing, and hockey. A student throws, kicks, etc., to a partner across from them and then moves to the back of the other line. This allows students to work on skills while also getting fitness running in. A count could be added to get the energy going. Shoes is another activity introduced that could be great to use in a PE setting or in the classroom as a brain break. Students are looking down at their shoes, on up, students look up at another student not directly next to them. If both students are looking at each other, then they "die" a dramatic "death". Keep going until 1 or students are left, and then you may start over. A great team-building activity that could be used in the gym or classroom is called moving day. It is where lines are made, and items (5-6) are placed in a hoop or area at the front. Students are then to pass the items to the back, only using their feet (no hands or arms). The game is completed when all the items have been passed front to back. The game can then be reversed.
I can see myself using a variety of these activities either as class starters or cool-downs, while others could be used to create community and team building in the classroom. This is part of Burke's mission to build community and encourage students to work together.
I would highly recommend this to any PE teacher, and there are enough activities included where it could be useful to classroom teachers as well.
Seems like you were able to get some useful ideas and specific activities to try which is always great after a PD!