PYP Attitudes in Action in PE

7 easy steps to celebrating student success in PE

For those of you who are unfamiliar with the Primary Years Program (the PYP), there are ten learner profile attributes and 12 attitudes that are embedded within the curriculum and focused on with regularity in our instructional practice. These skills are critical in helping to shape our students to be responsible citizens and to provide them with the tools necessary to be the best that they can be. Here they are below. 

The Learner Profile
Communicators
Open-Minded
Reflective
Principled
Caring
Thinkers
Inquirers
Knowledgeable
Balanced
Risk-Takers

The PYP Attitudes
Commitment
Cooperation
Enthusiasm
Respect
Curiousity
Tolerance
Independence
Integrity
Appreciation
Creativity
Empathy
Tolerance

Recognizing and Celebrating These Skills in Action in PE

Whenever possible I try my best to recognize when my students authentically display any of these skills in PE. I observe closely and when I do see that a student is genuinely putting into practice any of the learner profile attributes or the PYP attitudes, I follow 7 easy steps to help celebrate their success.

1. Discuss with the student why I am giving them this recognition.
2. Take a photo as soon as possible of the student in action.
3. Create a recognition poster after the class.
4. Give the poster to the classroom teacher so that they can show the class and have a quick discussion about why the student is being recognized.
5. Send a copy of the poster to the student's parents by email to keep them informed. 
6. Once the poster is returned back to me from classroom teacher, I put it up on my PYP PE display board in the main hallway of our school. 
7. The poster is usually up for a couple of weeks before being taken down and filed away in the student's Sportfolio. 

Keeping Students Motivated

I believe that recognizing and celebrating student success in this way works to truly motivate and inspire them to be the best that they can be in PE. I have used this strategy for years but continue to refine the process to make it more meaningful to my students. I love seeing how proud they are when getting this recognition. It always makes my day! Thanks for reading.