Physical Education Activity Days consist of developmentally appropriate physical education learning experiences in the areas of educational games, dance, and gymnastics. The USF pre-service teachers plan and teach activities, which are organized into short learning segments. The Charter School students move from one learning station to the next to experience different games, gymnastics, and dance activities. This particular experience is connected to the Instructional Design and Content: Elementary 1 course. It occurs during a Juniors' first semester in the program, prior to their first pre-internship.
 
The recent sessions were devoted to educational dance. In this type of dance, elementary students create/develop their own movements to express or communicate feelings, ideas, images, etc. The teachers set up the structure and connect the tasks to specific skills and concepts. This is done to facilitate creative and critical thinking in the students.  
 
"We believe this is a valuable collaborative experience," states Dr. Bonnie Bie from the School of Physical Education. Bie believes this kind of interaction is beneficial to both parties involved, "it allows our USF pre-service teachers to receive early field experience in a non-threatening environment, working with small groups of students," she says, "and it provides the Charter School students the opportunity to receive instruction in a focused, but enjoyable atmosphere with a high degree of individual attention."

For more information contact the College of Education Communications Director.