Teach the "Why"

Whenever your students participate in a warm up, game or activity, teach them why they are doing that particular activity. For example, ask them: "why do we warm up?" or "why is it important to exercise your heart?" When introducing a game or activity discuss why this activity is beneficial for skill development and/or physical fitness. Give your students a reason and they are much more likely to give full effort.

How often have you played a game without ever thinking about the learning objectives and standards that this particular game addresses? We are probably all guilty of this practice at one time or another. Therefore, if we make it a habit of always teaching the "why," we will be much less likely to choose purely recreational activities rather than educational ones.