Setting Goals through Physical Education
Goal setting and perseverance are integral parts of our physical education program. Students at Kehrs Mill, kindergarten through fifth grade, are set up for success in PE and in other areas of their lives by being taught to set challenging but attainable goals daily in PE class. Teachers first model how to set a goal for self improvement through self-talk, questioning, and discussion. Next, students identify specific goals for improvement, such as jump rope for 30 seconds with no errors, and, together with their teachers, chart progress toward reaching this goal on paper. Once a goal has been achieved, the student and teacher set a new goal, such as jump rope for 45 seconds with no errors. Each student develops individual goals that will be different from others in the class. The purpose is to teach children how to intrinsically motivate themselves. This process empowers students to challenge themselves, work hard to reach a goal, gain deep ownership of individual skills and abilities, raise self-esteem, and celebrate once they have achieved a goal. We are proud to develop skills of perseverance and personal goal setting in PE as we strengthen intrinsic motivation.