This post is DESCRIPTIVE, not PRESCRIPTIVE.
What I mean is that I’m not saying you should do things the same way, I’m explaining the way I do things to give an example and hopefully be helpful.
You’re specific school, students, teaching style and district requirements are different than mine – so you should always do what you think is best for your kids.
In my personal situation, our state and district requires fitness testing and fitness reports, so I don’t really have the option of debating whether or not to do it.
If I wasn’t required to do it – I think I might end up creating an American Ninja Warrior Unit or some other themed fitness unit that kids would resonate with a little more than our standard fitness unit.
To take a deep dive on more opinions and Resources on Fitness Testing Check Out This Post
Now lets go over a few ideas to help give your fitness unit a boost
Set the environment to focus on each students personal best
You have to motivate those underachieving or out of shape students by reminding your classes that we shouldn’t worry about the person next to us, instead we should worry about improving ourselves to become the best version of ourselves that we can be.
I usually have a chat with my kids about how there’s no win in comparison, similar to this teacher tip video below but more framed around comparing ourselves to others in regards to fitness testing, we’re all on our own personal journeys.
Fitnessgram is a great opportunity to talk about personal goal setting and self improvement. Also, it’s good to make sure your students know all the benefits of fitness – they might not care about being athletic, but when they find out that being fit will increase their academics and lower their stress levels, and help them be more successful in every other area of their lives it might be more appealing.
The most important part of setting the environment is making sure your students know WHY you are doing fitness tests. I talk to my students before each test about why we are doing different tests.
I always remind them that… It’s NOT for a grade. It’s NOT for a workout. It is because I want them to understand where they stand with different levels of fitness and also have the ability to set goals for the future and measure improvement.
I also tell my kids that one day when they get out of school and no longer have PE class anymore, their health, activity levels and fitness will become their sole responsibility. We talk about how if they go to a gym and hire a personal trainer they will be learning to do the exact same things that we’ll be focusing on in this unit, so if they want to save some money down the road, pay attention and they’ll never need a personal trainer 😉
Certificates of Achievement
This is controversial so you have to decide if you think this is helpful or hurtful in your situation, the reasoning behind my choice to hand out certificates has always been to try to create a culture where you celebrate students and celebrate their achievements any time you see an opportunity. (I give out certificates for lots of different units because it’s an easy way to reward kids and also give them something to show their parents as well, which hopefully sparks some good discussions at home about what we’re doing in PE)
I normally do an awards ceremony at the end of our fitness unit, or you can do it at the end of each class. You can reward kids for excellent achievement (reaching the healthy fitness zone or their own personal goals) you can have an improvement reward or a best in class award. With only once a week PE it’s hard for me to manage the time to do anything more than a best in class and I normally do this at the end of our Unit.
After handing out the award, I sometimes turn the moment into a teachable moment with the class by asking the student what their secret for success is. I’ve heard some really interesting things from kids and it usually relates to practice at home or an extracurricular like gymnastics or martial arts that they are involved in regularly. This is a good connection to help your students make and can spark some good discussions about how students can practice and focus on fitness at home in small ways to make improvements and build healthy habits.
The certificate is also a great parent communication tool, since every student will go home and show their parents – it reflects positively on your program. I’ve gotten lots of great parent feedback about how much that little slip of paper meant to those kiddos.
You can check out my Fitnessgram Certificates Here
A real question to be considered is what about the kids that don’t get a certificate – and the school of thought that is against giving a certificate out might point out that it leads to comparison and might be demotivating for students who are low achievers.
My personal opinion (you have to form your own) is that we shouldn’t have to take away all rewards for high achievement and in my personal situation we are a PBIS school which means kids are getting little rewards all day long and “Happy Note’s and “Gator Bucks” so that is the culture and reward system we are implementing and using at my school.
I am aware of this dynamic, which is why I get SO PUMPED when any of my students break a personal record and give “fist bumps”, “high fives” and “way to go’s” all day long to all of my students and also discuss the importance of not comparing ourselves with others and how we’re all different and should be focused on our own personal best each day.
Our Motto is always “Do Your Best, Forget the Rest”
Class Rewards / Incentives
I always try to plan something really fun for students after testing. This will depend on what your kids enjoy, but letting them play one of their favorite activities or games to reward them for their hard work after testing goes a long way.
This is also helpful to use as an incentive for students to get testing done efficiently – that way they will have more time to participate in the activity or game that you have planned.
If you need ideas, you can do something simple like Noodle Dance Tag or Fire and Ice or play one of their favorite group games one of ours is Boom City for an Example
I usually integrate the introduction of our Climbing Activities to students as a reward during our Fitness Unit since climbing activities can be so beneficial for building muscular strength and it’s a really fun way to work on your fitness levels and challenge yourself.
Creating a Fitness Hall of Fame
Again, Disclaimer – similar to handing out certificates this is not something that everyone agrees with and I’m not saying you should do it, I’m just explaining what I’ve done that I believe in my personal situation has helped to create a culture where fitness is celebrated and students are motivated to try and increase their personal levels of fitness.
Since I started teaching at my school each year we have the overall school records for each grade level on records wall that I call the Fitness Hall of Fame. I have this located near my Fastest Class Challenge yearly winners from each year as well.
This is a lot of fun for students to look at, and to see what is possible for a student their age to achieve. I have even had students come back and visit and they always check to see if their name was still on the wall or if their sibling is still up there.
It’s interesting just like any other record what usually happens is a record gets broken by 1 or 2, that’s it. This is because once you reach a certain level, many times it becomes more a mental game than anything and without those records to shoot for – students wouldn’t push themselves like they have.
Anytime a student breaks a record, we congratulate them on the morning announcements for their achievement and I update the Hall of Fame at the end of each testing period.
Similar to the certificates, I want to take any opportunity I can to make my students feel like a million bucks and I don’t think that that has to come at the expense of everyone who didn’t break a record.
I see it as an opportunity to congratulate a classmate on their accomplishment and even to have a discussion with your students about how you can be proud of yourself for setting your own personal best record and also proud of your friends, their success doesn’t have to come come at the expense of your joy – Comparison is the thief of joy.
Concluding Thoughts
Lastly I just want to end with a reminder to take time to reflect on what’s best for you and your students.
I am aware everyone doesn’t agree with the way I do things and even considered taking this post down in light of some criticisms from people I respect, but taking a post down just so I don’t have to deal with criticisms seemed to be unauthentic, so I’ve updated it and tried to be more reflective with the way I describe the things I’m doing.
So I just want to remind you one more time to take responsibility for your own reflections and think about what’s best for you and your students.
I don’t know if the things I am doing are right for you because I don’t know your kiddos and your school requirements and like I said at the beginning of this post if, I wasn’t required to do Fitness Testing, I probably wouldn’t, but since I am these are some things I’ve done to try and create a culture in my school that values fitness, motivates students and celebrates students whenever possible.
Best of Luck creating a positive fitness culture at your school!
If you have some ideas for making fitness testing fun, leave them in the comments, I would love to hear them.
P.S. Here’s a detailed overview of How I do Fitness Testing in PE
Garry Hingleton says
how can i order the fitness gram certificate?
pacer push-up curl-ups sit and reach
Marcus says
Hey Garry,
You can purchase the FitnessGram Certificates on our Teachers Pay Teachers site at the link below:
https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Product/72-Different-Fitnessgram-Certificates-Great-for-Fitness-Unit-Testing-1758905
Hope this helps!
Kathryn Stevens says
Do you use a fitness journal with students to record their results throughout the school year? I was thinking about doing this with my kids in order for them to be able to set goals for themselves.
Marcus says
Hey Kathryn,
We have used fitness journal for students to record their scores in the past. We only brought them out at the beginning of the year and end.
Check out Ben’s blog post on how we teach Fitnessgram:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/fitnessgram/
Hope this helps!
Lindsay says
Do you have an editable version of your Fitness Hall of Fame?
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Lindsay,
Great question. Looking to see if we do and if we do I will email it to you.
BRIDGET ELLER says
Thank you for the certificate idea! (FitnessGram) Grreat motivator!
Ben Landers says
Sure thing!
Elizabeth Wallace says
Hello Coach,
I am working on using Fitness Gram for the first time. I see your Hall of Fame poster. Does it have the top students names on it?
Thanks,
Elizabeth Wallace
Ben Landers says
Yes, I categorize them by grade level
Mandy says
I love this! Can you tell me how you make the new and improved hall of fame. I’m not too tech savvy and my kids would love this!
Ben Landers says
I made it in an online program called Canva – but you could do something similar in Powerpoint / Google Slides as well
Lynn Preble says
I like your ‘Fitness Hall of Fame’ poster that has visuals of body position. Can you share it, or I s there a way to purchase this poster?
Ben Landers says
Hey Lynn, I’ve actually updated it again since then, but I designed it in a program called Canva (canva.com) so I can’t really share it. I did use the illustrations from our Exercise Posters Series though, which you can get at:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/exerciseposters/
najma says
hi
How and where can i get the plastic, waterproof covers to hold the station activity cards? the ones that you attach to the cones.
Ben Landers says
I got mine on Amazon, link here: https://amzn.to/2pXm81i
Gloria says
Hi Ben,
What are some of the ways that you ensure the relative privacy of the tests, say, if students feel uncomfortable testing in front of others?
Do you also think that it would work if students tested each other?
Ben Landers says
I don’t really ensure privacy, not sure how that would be possible unless I tested kids one by one, which isn’t really an option given the time I see my students.
I think it just depends on what you mean by “do you think it would work” – With kids testing each other and even doing self assessment I think that – Yes, “it works”. But I think that your scores won’t really be valid, so if that’s your goal then you’re going to need to supervise the testing as much as possible.
If your goal is simply student learning and you’re not as worried about test validity then I think peer assessment and self assessment are great and really beneficial for students.
Gabe says
Hey Ben
Regarding the Fitness Hall of Fame, are you taking down and putting up a new poster each year with just that year’s students’ high scores? Or, say a previous student’s high score is not broken? I ask because looking at your posters I noticed there were no dates provided.
Thanks again and I can see how these posters would be super motivating!
Ben Landers says
Yep, we print a new poster each year.
Although, I think I might start doing a smaller poster for the hall of fame for each school year, just because it’s fun for kids to look back 2-3 years ago and see their scores.
Mike Martinez says
I love this! I also recommend getting your staff to take the tests too! It creates an awesome school wide culture of fitness and students LOVE to see if they beat their homeroom teacher, science teacher, etc. Keeps older students motivated! Great stuff!!
Ben Landers says
Yes! I’ve done that before, we had a pretty low turnout, but it was fun for the few that showed up. Like you said, it did motivate the kids and give their teacher a way to connect with them.
Kerbee Gratz says
Hey Ben,
Working with my Elementary PE teacher – do know where I can find out if Missouri Elementary students need to be fitness tested? The earliest age we can find is 9 years old – about 4th grade. The tests start in 5th grade, but it’s suggested that 4th graders practice the fitness tests. Can you point us in the right direction please?
Ben Landers says
Hey Kerbee – Each state department will have mandates for what’s required at the school level. I would contact your rep at the state department for Health/PE.
Lauren says
I love your ideas. I will definitely be using the certificates with a small prize to award the students. I think I’m going to have the #1 for each test and each class, Most Improved and Best Supporter (which admittedly I haven’t decided the criteria for yet).
We test in the fall and in the Spring. The spring is when they get their fitness assessment. This year, to encourage goal setting, I’m going to give the students their fall score so they can set a spring goal. Moving forward, I think it would make sense to have the students make their goals in the Fall.
thanks again for your ideas!
Ben Landers says
I love talking to kids about goal setting – hope it goes well with your classes!
Kristy Urman says
Hi Ben,
For your Fitness Test Records, what do you do about curl-ups, since the test only allows them to go to 75 and multiple students in each class can reach that number?
Thanks,
Kristy
Ben Landers says
We max out when the CD stops – I don’t let them go past it. Anyone who makes it gets their name on the Hall of Fame for that year.
Joe says
Hi Ben,
What is your criteria for handing out the Excellent Achievement Award?
Ben Landers says
I’ve actually only done the “Best in Class” – I created the “Excellent Achievement” and “Most Improved” certificates as a response to some requests from other teachers who had purchased the pack.
Chris says
Hey Ben,
Love the idea of giving out certificates, especially to the little ones. However, what do you do when one student scores the highest in each fitness test? For example a fourth grade female performed the most push ups, curls ups, and pacer laps for her class. Does she get a certificate for each test?
Ben Landers says
Hey Chris – Yeah, I give one out for each test. I’ve had similar situations and I usually get the student in front of the class and interview her to use it as a teachable moment. For example, if you asked the girl at your school what activities she does after school, I’d be willing to bet that she’s probably in gymnastics or dance multiple times a week and doing some type of conditioning. It’s a good practical example for the kids in the class to make the connection between activity outside of school leading to results.
Tera says
I don’t have the fitnessgram software but want to implement the program this year. Do I need the software to do the test and get the scores for the PACER?
Ben Landers says
All you need is the audio/CD/mp3 for the Pacer. You can find it on Youtube or order it from Fitnessgram. Google “Pacer Test Procedures” to find way more details than you’ll probably ever need about how to run it 🙂
Bridget says
How many practices for each test do you give your students before the actual testing day? Do you do stations to practice beforehand? Just curious with all the other standards that need to be fulfilled I have a hard time finding practice time, testing time and covering all my other standards. Do you also tie in the FITT principle to introducing the tests and the components of fitness as well?
Thanks,
Bridget
Ben Landers says
We don’t usually practice Pacer, although I have let kids do 25 laps as a warmup activity. We do pushups and curlups every class at the beginning during the warmup – but not with the actual CD, just teacher led.
Like you said – I don’t have time to practice and honestly, like I tell my kids – “It’s not for a grade, it’s just information so you can set goals and track your improvement” So I don’t feel the need to practice a bunch – I tell my 2nd graders that it’s their “practice year” so if they mess up, it’s no big deal and by the time my kids get to 4th-5th grade they know all the Fitnessgram test protocols by heart.
I don’t do FITT principle, just don’t have the time.
Deanna Trice says
You can use staples store or other printing store to make they poster from a file as well.
Michael Beringer says
How did you make your Fitness Hall of Fame poster?
@PEberingmx
Ben Landers says
Hey Mike – I used Microsoft Publisher to create it and then printed it with our poster printer here at school. You could use any program that can export to a JPEG if you have a poster printer (Microsoft Word, Powerpoint) or an online design application like Google Slides, Google Docs or Canva if you don’t have any of those programs.
Michael Beringer says
We don’t have a poster printer.
Ben Landers says
You can print the names and titles using Microsoft Word (that’s what I did in the first example you see in the blog post) and then cut and paste them onto poster board or wall paper. We just recently got a poster printer, that’s why I upgraded the poster.
Keith says
Ben,
The awards are a great idea for fitness testing. My question is, how do you manage each lesson regarding each fitness test. What strategies due you use to get all students tested w/o various interruptions. I only have 40 minutes to test all students.
The PE Specialist says
I have my students for 50 minutes, so a little more than you, but I think it’s still possible. My lessons for fitness tests are structured by a quick warmup/instant activity a little stretching and then getting right into the test. Pacer test takes a whole class. Curlups and Pushups take about half the class – for the remaining half of class after curlups and pushups I put the students in stations and rotate them around while I pull kids for Sit and Reach and Height and Weight Measurements.
Another thing that helps is doing a “practice” test with 2nd grade so they understand the test and procedures. We do fitness reports for 3rd – 5th grade students to help them set goals, track progress and see where they stand with health/fitness levels.