Sport Education Model: 6th-8th Grade Physical Education

For my Middle School students, I use the Sport Education Model to teach team sports such as basketball and
soccer. The Sport Education Model is a Physical Education curriculum designed to introduce students to a more
enjoyable sports experience. At the beginning of the season (unit) I split up the class in to 4 or 5 teams. Each
team will be given time to decide on a team name (or country for Soccer World Cup). Students remain on the
same teams throughout the whole season. Each class every student is assigned a realistic role such as coach,
equipment manager, recorder, captain, fitness trainer, and referee. The roles are changed each week so that
every student gets the opportunity to have a different responsibility on their teams. Throughout the season (unit)
Teams will participate in games, and tournament style play. At the end of each season one team is awarded
Champions. The Sport Education curriculum model allows every student to feel like they have an important role
and responsibility in physical education class no matter their physical skill set or ability level.

Student Roles:
Captain: Only constant role for the whole season. Captains report to me in the beginning of class for the warm
up and practice plan of the day.
Coach: Runs practices & games
Fitness Trainer: Leads warm-up
Equipment Manager: Distributes and collects equipment, sets up field/court, arranges substitutes for absent
players
Recorder: Takes team attendance and keeps score of games
Referee: Referees games. This student is acquainted with the rules and etiquette of the sport/activity

Teacher Roles:
Sport Education is a student-centered curriculum model. As the teacher, I introduce the team rosters, roles and
responsibilities to the students at the beginning of the unit and then step back and allow the students to take
control of their own teams and sport experience. This gives me more time to instruct and reiterate skill cues and
assess students more effectively on their physical and affective skills (how they work with others and take
responsibility). I also create the warm-ups and the practice plans for the Fitness Trainers and Coaches to run
with their teams each class.

A class period in Sport Education

1. Students enter the gym and get together with their team in their “team areas” (specified in the beginning
of the unit). Team captains report to me for the warm-up and practice plan
2. Equipment managers retrieve any equipment necessary for warm-ups and practice
3. Fitness trainers run and participate in the warm-up of the day with their teams
4. Team coaches then run practice with their teams.
5. Equipment managers clean up and put away any equipment used for warm-ups and practice, then set up
the field/court (if necessary)
6. Team participate in the games scheduled for that day.