A year ago I wrote a post (If you build it, they will come) about a decision our school district (the Independence School District) made to add a strength and conditioning physical education class at the middle school level.
At the time there was much buzz, excitement, and some trepidation among the students, faculty and administration.
As I wrote about in this, more recent post, (The Case for Middle School Strength and Conditioning) the first year of the Strength and Conditioning class has been a huge success in our building.
Now, with enrollment beginning for next year, the real test is upon us. Has the class generated enough “buzz” with the current students to sustain or increase interest and enrollment for next year?
The numbers are in…
The good news…
We had nearly 400 students (7th and 8th graders next year) request this class for the 2015-16 school year.
Every current 7th grader who is taking the class (56) requested it again for next year!
The challenge…
Our current class structure limited the enrollment to 150 students in the class… six classes with 25 students each.
With a couple of adjustments, we were able to increase that number to 200.
I currently teach all of the Strength and Conditioning class at our school, and have six sections. We have a seven period day, and I have a plan period, so our number this year was capped at 150 students.
Next year our building is going to an eight period day (we are getting rid of our “home room” period), which will allow me to teach seven classes of Strength and Conditioning. In addition, another instructor will be teaching the class during my plan period, which will put our cap next year at 200 students (eight periods x 25 students per class).
We still have a somewhat daunting task ahead… trimming nearly half of the students who put the Strength and Conditioning class as their #1 request for Physical Education.
We feel like it is a good problem to have, and one that demonstrates our district is headed in the right direction with this class offering.
If your district is not offering this class, my experience this year leads me to believe you are missing the boat… this age group is physically and mentally ready to excel in a class of this type.
Please feel free to contact me with any questions you have regarding this class (setup, curriculum, equipment, lessons, etc) or related to any other posts on this blog… I will respond!
You Can Do More… your brain is lying to you…. Don’t Believe It!
Jeff Floyd – youcandomore1@yahoo.com
Pingback: Middle School Strength and Conditioning Posts | You Can Do More!