History of PE

Point of EmphasisThis is the only course that will address

PE history, a topic included on the Praxis II exam.

Current Physical Education is the latest rendition of all the changes that have taken place over time. Throughout their history in the U.S., k-12 physical education

programs have tended to reflect larger patterns in American culture, people’s needs and choices regarding physical activity, and trends in the educational system. The goals, content, and instruction in physical education have evolved and will continue to grow in ways that call for new

approaches.

Ancient Times No formal PE, activity through work, dance

or game play Gymnasium – Greece word for training

ground (Pompeii image below) From gymnos – Greek for “naked”

Palaestrae – private wrestling schools in Greece

PE in U.S. – Early American

Mid 1700’s – 1900 Emphasis on physical training, also called gymnastics Many different systems German system: vigorous calisthenics with hand

weights, “indian clubs”, ropes, ladders, parallel and horizontal bars, brings, vaulting poles and balance activities. Music and rhythms (usually drumbeats) accompanied the exercises.

PE in U.S. – Early American

Swedish System – more scientific and thearapuetic focusing on improving heart and lung function also using much of the same equipment as the German system.

Many other systems, only included two most prominent 1886 – California becomes first state to require

physical training as part of public school curriculum

Typical 1800’s gymnasium

Harvard University

Pratt Gym, Amherst College, MA

PE in U.S. – Early American

Catherine Beecher Developed her own system that focused more

on “beautiful and strong movements performed to music to help produce good posture, strength and grace.”

Many light exercises that involved holding positions (yoga-esque)

Did not use equipment as this not lady-like “Mother” of American PE

PE in U.S. – Early American

Dudley Sargent Combined several of the systems Modified and developed adjustable exercise

machines using pulley systems to lift or pull weights

Fought to put physical education on par with other subject areas

1885 Adelphi Conference, NY (1885) – Participants

pledge to improve the profession and increase its standing. The Association for the Advancement of Physical Education was formed (forerunner of SHAPE). Names for PE: Gymnastics, physical

training, sport, physical education

Early American Period (1900-1930) Immigration – introduced new activities Urbanization, transportation, and war

dispersed activities Growth of leisure time Intercollegiate athletic conferences

Curb abuses like betting (1st one - Big Ten)

Comprehensive Education John Dewey; progressive education, learn by

doing and experimenting

Early American Period (1900-1930) Noticeable shift

“PE” began diversifying its content to include sports Still included militaristic, calisthenics like exercises

but emphasis was waning Culture of Physical Training gave way to Physical

Education

Formalized PE curriculum begins to develop More states began requiring PE

Posture Exercises

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PqlZgMkaC5A

Early American Period (1900-1930)Umbrella term – Physical Education

Included dance, health education, intramurals, camping, playgrounds, recreation, outdoor education, YMCA/YWCA.

NEA officially recognizes physical education as curricular field.

Mid-20th Century (1930-70) WWII – an unacceptable number of recruits were

declared unfit for combat A much higher percentage of American children were

unfit compared to European peers (60% v. 6%) President’s Council on Youth Fitness established,1956 John F. Kennedy publishes “The Soft American” in S.I. Pres. Johnson creates the Presidential Youth Fitness

Award program, 1966 (today: President’s Challenge) Combined with Fitnessgram ~2010

Mid-20th Century (1930-70) PE beginning to incorporate more adventure

programming, lifetime activities, dance and outdoor pursuits

Creation of the first instructional model - movement education in 60’s and 70’s

Physical education research begins being published by university faculty

Late 20th Century (1970-2000) Development of national standards

NASPE developed a document defining what children should know and be able to do (1986)

1995 – NASPE publishes “Moving Into the Future: National Standards for Physical Education”

Fruits of academic research seen in the New PE Physical Education begins splitting into sub-disciplines

and various fields specialize (more later) Development of all instructional models except

movement education (what are they) Cooper Institute releases Fitnessgram (1991)

Late 20th Century (1970-2000) Adventure/Cooperative (late 60’s, 70’s)

Outward bound, project adventure, team challenge Tactical or Teaching games for understanding

(1986) Hellison’s model of social responsibility (1995) Sport education (1994) Wellness/fitness (1990’s)

Holistic/proactive (body, mind, spirit) Lifetime activity

Late 20th Century (1970-2000) Title IX (1972) began addressing gender

inequity in sport and PE Coed classes became the norm (quite a shock

for some) Q&A – when is it OK to have same-sex classes

Late 20th Century (1970-2000) Individuals with Disability Education Act

(1990) Least restrictive environment; IEPs

No Child Left Behind (1991) – schools must show improvement in core subjects

SubdisciplinesAnatomy

The physical structure of an animal

SubdisciplinesKinesiology

Study of movement (human in our case)

SubdisciplinesBiomechanics

Study of the human body as a mechanical system, utilizes principles drawn from physics.

No specific course, incorporated throughout

SubdisciplinesPhysiology

Functions and activities of living organisms, including all physical and chemical processes.

SubdisciplinesExercise

physiology Study of bodily

systems and their reactions to stress of exercise.

Subdiscplines Motor Learning

Focuses on how motor skills are learned.

Areas: motor learning, control, development

Categories Initial Elementary Mature

Early 21st Century (2000-Downsides:

Reduction of time allotted PE Partly due to increased emphasis on high-

stakes tests Disparities in instruction

Roll out the ball “gym teachers” Waivers/exemptions for PE

Early 21st Century (2000-Positives:

Increased lifetime activity and fitness focus Improved status (room to grow) Seen as engine for promoting PA and

reducing obesity and diabetes Greater recognition of the importance of

physical activity in many facets of life Play 60, CDC recommendations, School Board

Early 21st Century (2000-Positives:

Publication of detailed national standards by grade level

Refocusing mission on HPE (SHAPE) Emphasis on assessment and data

collection On cusp of being listed as core subject Increased PE mandates in several states

Q&A What sports were invented in the US? Some have their roots

in sports from abroad. Lacrosse (<1630, Native Americans) Baseball/Softball (Cartwright, ~1845, NYC) Football (~1820, Rutgers/Princeton 1869; Camp) Basketball (Naismth, 1891, Springfield, MA) Volleyball (Morgan, 1895, Holyoke MA) Mountain Biking (Californnia) Pickleball (Bell and Pritchard, 1965, WA state) Ultimate (1968, Joel Silver, a student at Columbia High

School in Maplewood, NJ )

http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blsports.htm

La-crosse

Basketball Historyhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io35RCBMQJw

1909

Depends on You

WCU PE HISTORY

                     

Brownie Points

How old is West Chester’s PE program? 1889 to Today

1871First formal PE classes were conducted

by Mrs. Ann Morris, wife of Normal School principal.

1889 Principal of the Normal School, Dr. George

Philips commissioned the construction of a new gymnasium. During that same time period Dr. Philips announced the creation of the department of physical training and introduced its new directors Dr Ehinger and his wife Ella. These two events mark the beginning of a formal department of physical education at West Chester University.

Dr. Ehinger and his wife served as co-directors of the physical training department for thirty years

Dr. Ehinger and his wife introduced yearly Gymnastics demonstrations in 1892, wrestling 1892, Women's Tennis 1892, Bicycling 1893, Boxing 1894, Swimming 1894, Annual Men's Field Sports Day 1894, Men's Athletic Association 1895, Women's Golf 1898, Men's Basketball 1898, Men's Gymnastics Team 1899, Women's Track and Field 1910, Compulsory Swimming for women 1914

1926First degrees in health education were

awarded

1950

Dr. Sturzebecker was appointed director of H&PE. Over the next 20 years under Dr. Sturzebecker's leadership added programs in Safety Education, Health, Recreation, Physical Education for the Disabled, and Graduate Studies.

1961West Chester State Teachers College

and the Department of Health and Physical Education gained national recognition when the Russian gymnastics team came to West Chester to compete against the USA

1971

As the university expanded, became part of the State System of Higher Education (SSHE), and enrollment increased, buildings and playing fields were lost. To compensate, South Campus was built and later renamed Sturzebecker HSC.

1990’sFaculty of the Physical Education

Department voted to change its name to the Kinesiology Department. This action was taken in light of the change in programs other than teacher certification, changes in the University and Department mission, and national trends

West Chester University -- 125 Years

Campus - Aerial View - 1936 Old Main: The large "T" shaped structure in the photograph. The top of the "T" is

facing High Street. Old Main was demolished in the Fall of 1971 Philips Memorial Building: The large structure on the right side of the

photograph. Recitation Hall: The structure opposite the base of the "T". Old Library: The structure to the left of Recitation Hall Model School: The structure to the right of Recitation Hall. The building is

now known as Ruby Jones Hall Old Gymnasium: The structure between Recitation Hall and the North Wing

(right side) of Old Main. The Old Gymnasium was demolished in the Fall

of 1971.