Don’t clear your eyes. You read it correctly. P.E. (Physical Education) has a written component. at least it does in one school in Surrey. I’m really hoping this is just a one school screw up. Because really. P.E. Written. Does that make sense to anyone?

I honestly thought my student was pulling my leg last month when she told me she had failed Grade 9 P.E. because she had missed the written test. I just couldn’t wrap my head around the idiocy of it. As an educator and as a parent this seems like one of the most ridiculous things. It wasn’t until yesterday, a bright beautiful day that another student came to my class with P.E. Homework. I jokingly said “Ok, jump 30 times and  we’ll call it square.” Apparently his P.E. teacher had decided “Hey we have a gorgeous sunny day outside, clear warm weather, Let’s spend P.E. Class indoors at a desk going over avalanche safety tips. Then we’ll send the kids home with a safety flyer and a questionnaire that doesn’t relate to anything on that flyer.

P.E.’s purpose in the school curriculum is to provide students with the chance to move around, get some exercise. Help with circulation, get the blood flowing, wake up students who fall asleep during academic courses. etc. I know my students complain about too much dodge ball, but given a properly set up curriculum you can have a lot of fun with P.E.When I was teaching it in Beijing I tried to have a full curriculum of Dancing, Ultimate Frisbee, team building activities, relays, kickball (Soccer-baseball) and yes dodge ball. On top we as a school provided tennis, roller-skating, badminton, basketball and more.

So I pose the question to those who have stayed. Were you aware of the P.E. Written Component? When was it started? and if you can explain it: Why? Thoughts, ideas and comments are welcome at Facebook, Google+, or right here at WordPress. Thank you for helping unravel the mysteries of The West.

Chad Baldwin.