Classroom Teachers’ Practices of Physical Activity in 4th Grade Physical Education and Game Course

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine if student engagement in physical activity, lesson context/content, teacher involvement, and teacher interaction during Physical Education and Game course in elementary school changed as a function of teacher sex and years of teaching experience. Method: A convenience sample of classroom teachers from Şanlıurfa, Turkey, took part in the study. A direct observation tool, the System for Observing Fitness Instruction Time, was used to collect the data. Results: Although small differences were observed regarding sex and teaching experience for some subcategories of observation, the results showed that the students were standing, the context/content of the lesson was a game play, the teachers were observing the students, and they did not promote in-class and out-of-class physical activity during the greatest percentage of 4th grade Physical Education and Game lessons. Conclusion: It has been concluded that the practices that will support the physical activity and physical fitness levels of the students in the Physical Education and Game classes taught by the classroom teachers are found to be insufficient.