Ennis, C. (2006). Curriculum: Forming and Reshaping the Vision of

Physical Education in a High Need, Low Demand World of Schools.

Quest, 58, 41-59.

Kathleen Wack

Purpose of paper• Type: Position Statement/Literature Review

• Purpose: –Highlights events and issues in the

development of physical education curriculum–Discuss future considerations in the current

climate

Background• Catherine Ennis was at the University of Maryland • Maryland Dept of Ed passed in 2004 a requirement for

uninterrupted blocks of 150 minutes for reading and 120 minutes of math every day for primary level students (4 ½ hrs of 6 hr day)

• Just created curriculum “Be Active Kids!” curriculum that integrated science and PE

• Implemented it in a school district where no schools built in the last 10 years had a gym

Methods/Analysis• Explained the history of physical education

through different lenses– “Historical Roots”– The “New PE”– Educating the total child– Evolution 1930-1960–Question of Relative Value

(high need/low demand)

Significance• Good summary of the history of PE

• Argues that even with good curriculum models, “most innovative approaches to instruction and curriculum require qualified teachers, sufficient instructional time, and a commitment to build and maintain facilities to permit physical activity during hot/cold and rainy/snowy/dusty weather” (p.55).

Significance• Ennis questions:

“What if instead of locating physical education programs in schools, it were moved to community centers where it might be highly valued as the central, value-focus of the community rather than a peripheral appendage in schools”

Activity: Debate

• You will have 5 minutes to discuss important points and plan your debate.

• Each side will choose a person to make opening statements and closing statements. Each will be less than 1 minute long.

• From that point, it will alternate between Pro/Con. No person is allowed to speak for more than one minute.

• Total debate time: 10 minutes

Conclusions

• “I think that it’s time we imagine, design, and build places where education of and through the physical holds a central role in American society accessible to all children and their families in a high need, high demand environment.” (p.56)

What I Learned

–Interesting point to consider–Good review of PE history–How do we include community options

without eliminating the need in schools