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Welcome PE Nation!

Today I share a part-two update on my martial arts style leadership program for elementary PE and how the belt levels are working in real life. I break down the benefits, the problems I did not expect, and what I want to change so it runs even better next year.

• belt system built around leadership, behavior, and helpfulness rather than athletic skill
• how students earn white, green, orange, purple, black, and red belt levels
• daily responsibility expectations like wristbands, water bottles, and best effort
• leadership roles through captains, referees, and helping classmates
• privileges that reinforce trust and positive behavior
• pros like improved effort, better sportsmanship, and stronger classroom culture
• cons like some kids opting out, parent complaints, and over-promotion risks
• future plans to make criteria clearer and fund supplies with a grant

Definitely check out the first episode on the leadership program, it’ll give you a better idea of it. If you have any questions, reach out to me.

Take care,

Dave

My podcast on my Ninja Leadership Program.

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Article on Outside PE Checklist

-Team Building Games Ebook (with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

Let's jump PE Nation!

Today we map out engaging jump rope stations that scale from kindergarten to fifth grade, tie movement to heart health, and keep classes flowing with limited staff. From Chinese jump rope patterns to long rope timing, we share practical setups, cues, and safety tips you can use tomorrow.

• K–1 adaptations using floor shapes and simple jumps
• Chinese jump rope patterns with ankle to knee progressions
• single-rope zones for beginner, intermediate, advanced
• long rope entries, rhythm, and partner timing
• Jump Over the Brook for distance and power with safeguards
• Helicopter for quick, inclusive jumping games
• obstacle course options that teach heart health
• using task cards, volunteer roles, and rotation timing

Take care,

Dave

My podcast on my Ninja Leadership Program.

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Article on Outside PE Checklist

-Team Building Games Ebook (with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome back PE Nation!

Today I revisit the PE practices many of us grew up with—public showers, shirts versus skins, elimination games, captains’ picks—and show how small changes create safer, more inclusive classes. Stories from the 70s and 80s meet modern fixes that keep kids moving without shame.

• why public showers and rigid swimming norms erode psychological safety
• how pinnies replace shirts versus skins without fuss
• designing re-entry rules so elimination games keep everyone active
• small-sided games to increase touches and learning
• equitable team formation without public ranking
• reframing fitness testing toward growth, not humiliation
• safer alternatives to risky legacy games
• what to keep from tradition and what to retire

Let's keep the good stuff and do away with the bad,

Dave

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Article on Outside PE Checklist

-Team Building Games Ebook (with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

Welcome PE Nation!

Today I share nine creative documentaries and series that fueled my teaching and creative work, from sushi perfection to sky-high walks, rock faces, pyrotechnics, street art, chess, and reopening an elite dining room. The thread is obsession, process, and building something that lasts.

• Spinning Plates
• Jiro Dreams of Sushi
• Skywalkers and Man on Wire
• Exit Through the Gift Shop
• Skyladder
• Free Solo
• Magnus
• Seven Days Out

Let me know what you think,

Dave

-Kindergarten PE Games and Activities ebook ($3.99 for 10 activities)

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Team Building Games Ebook ($4.99 with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

Grab my free copy of the Outside PE Checklist as a reference that includes equipment, procedures, transitions, and other essentials for successful outdoor teaching

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

Jingle Bells, PE Nation!

Today I share how to run Reindeer Games, a winter-themed PE event that trades endless laps for creative stations, safe movement, and real learning. We cover setup, scheduling with large classes, inclusive music, budget decor, and a full menu of flexible, fun games.

• two-day versus one-day event planning
• mirrored station tracks for large groups
• safety choices for outdoor and indoor spaces
• winter-themed stations that build skills
• inclusive music and simple decor
• smooth rotations and student leadership
• bridging stations to the next unit

Happy teaching,

Dave

-Kindergarten PE Games and Activities ebook ($3.99 for 10 activities)

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Team Building Games Ebook ($4.99 with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

Grab my free copy of the Outside PE Checklist as a reference that includes equipment, procedures, transitions, and other essentials for successful outdoor teaching

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

Become a supporter of the show:

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

What's up PE Nation!

Today I take a hard look at what’s working and what needs work across our PE program, from a new student leadership system to weather-bent units, a missed grant, a messy Turkey Trot tally, and a post-surgery plan that turns warmups into student-led moments. Reflection sets the tone, action steps make it real.

• leadership program wristbands
• weather disruptions forcing spiraled units and flexible pacing
• missed grant prompting fundraisers and sharper proposals
• turkey trot run-in-one-day success with flawed lap counting

This and more on today's episode. Take time to reflect on your program and make steps to improve going into the new year.

Take care,

Dave

-Kindergarten PE Games and Activities ebook ($3.99 for 10 activities)

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Team Building Games Ebook ($4.99 with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

Grab my free copy of the Outside PE Checklist as a reference that includes equipment, procedures, transitions, and other essentials for successful outdoor teaching

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send us Fan Mail

Gobble, gobble friends!

Today I share a clear, low-stress plan for running a school-wide turkey trot with fairness, safety, and fun at the center. Let's have fun!

• six-day rotation compressed into a one-day event
• track layout and grade-level scheduling
• dynamic warm-up and pacing reminders
• splitting runners to reduce congestion
• index cards and stamps for accurate lap counts
• midpoint cutoff to ensure a fair finish
• medals as recognition without pressure
• roles for PTO, specialists, and parent volunteers
• popsicle station and supervised free time
• framing the day as movement celebration

Please be patient on the podcast, on the writing, and I will get caught back up hopefully soon!

Take care,

Dave

-Kindergarten PE Games and Activities ebook ($3.99 for 10 activities)

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Team Building Games Ebook ($4.99 with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

Grab my free copy of the Outside PE Checklist as a reference that includes equipment, procedures, transitions, and other essentials for successful outdoor teaching

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE

Send a text

Welcome to the Upside Down,

Today we use a Stranger Things hook to build a practical “Max” list for PE: the song, games, instant activities, warmups, attention grabs, and unit we can repeat without losing joy or learning. The aim is alignment between what we love and what students actually want.

• defining a “Max” list that anchors planning
• Max game: Rollout for tight spaces

• Max instant activity: Tractor Buoy Sea Monster
• Rainy day Max activity: cup stacking for focus and flow
• Attention-grabbing Max system: Match Me and clap patterns
• Capstone Max unit: fifth-grade Tchoukball tournament

Take care,

Dave

-Kindergarten PE Games and Activities ebook ($3.99 for 10 activities)

-Check out supersizedphysed.com for more resources, including free PDFs, articles, and courses to help with your PE program. Please leave a review to help grow this podcast and keep pushing our profession forward.

-Team Building Games Ebook ($4.99 with preview): https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/Team-Building-Games-and-Activities-for-PE-Class-14063095

Grab my free copy of the Outside PE Checklist as a reference that includes equipment, procedures, transitions, and other essentials for successful outdoor teaching

-Free resources include Substack and Medium articles with PE tips, games, and strategies

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook:

Support the show

-High Fives and Empowering Lives book available as an ebook or paperback

-Paperback or download: HERE

-Amazon Ebook: HERE