American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance - AAHPERD

 Issue: Nov/Dec 2008

Using Object Lessons to Teach Health-related Fitness Concepts
Keven Prusak, Carol Wilkinson, Todd Pennington, & Susan Vincent Graser

Abstract:
What would happen if every student in your class instantly became obese and then tried to play basketball? The extra weight would likely make them uncomfortable and less willing to move, run, and jump. They would probably also gain some empathy for the heavy kids in the class and would better understand the importance of staying in shape as they get older. If they could then instantly lose that weight they would surely feel free to engage in the activities they once enjoyed. What if every lesson on fitness concepts could evoke this kind of personal meaning? It can, by using an “object lesson” format. An object lesson is one in which students first experience an idea—what it feels like—before the concept is explained. New ideas are then referenced back to the experience and are more deeply understood. This article presents object lessons for each of the five areas of health-related fitness and includes definitions, object-lesson activities, assessment activities, and suggestions for follow-up.

Article category: Teaching