In the realm of curriculum design, a meticulous and effective strategy is paramount, transcending content boundaries. The six-step approach outlined below, drawing from "Development Physical Education for All Children," stands as a beacon in crafting robust curricula.
1. Establishing a Value Base
At the inception of curricular planning, the establishment of a robust value base serves as the compass guiding subsequent decisions. In the context of physical education, the value statement becomes a manifesto, reflecting beliefs and rationale. As emphasized by the Institute of Medicine, recognizing physical education as a core subject underscores its pivotal role in fostering health-enhancing physical activity among school-aged children.
The overarching goal here is crystal clear — to nurture physically literate individuals equipped with the knowledge, skills, and confidence for a lifelong commitment to healthful physical activity. This aligns seamlessly with the directives from AAHPERD, reinforcing the significance of physical literacy and its multifaceted components.
2. Developing a Conceptual Framework
A curriculum's solidity lies in its conceptual framework, a scaffold of essential concepts purposefully integrated. For developmental physical education, this framework intricately weaves categories in child development, movement content, learning environment, and standards-based criteria. As elucidated in Figure 23.1, this conceptual framework becomes the linchpin, harmonizing program design with foundational values and goals.
3. Determining Program Goals
Once the value base and conceptual framework are laid, the stage is set to articulate program goals. Grounded in national standards for K-12 physical education, these goals embrace the developmental needs of children. From fundamental motor skills to health-related fitness concepts, the goals encompass a spectrum, ensuring a holistic approach to physical literacy.
4. Designing the Program
With goals delineated, the design phase takes center stage. Tailoring the curriculum to the developmental needs of different age groups becomes paramount. For pre-K to grade 2, the emphasis is on foundational skills and movement concepts. As children progress to grades 3 through 5, the transition to specialized skills and a nuanced understanding of tactics and strategies becomes pivotal.
5. Establishing Program Assessment Procedures
A well-structured curriculum demands equally robust assessment procedures. The evaluation must align with the articulated goals, providing a tangible measure of students' achievements. Chapter 9 delves into summative assessments, offering a roadmap to gauge the efficacy of the program in fostering physical literacy.
6. Implementing the Program
Execution crystallizes the strategic planning into action. Successful implementation hinges on meticulous adherence to the established value base, conceptual framework, and program goals. This iterative process ensures that the curriculum not only meets educational standards but also nurtures a generation with a profound appreciation for physical activity's role in health and social interaction.
In essence, the six-step strategic planning approach stands as a testament to the fusion of theory and practice, providing a robust framework to cultivate physically literate individuals through meticulously designed developmental physical education programs.
