When you’re teaching, do you ever feel like a broken record?
If you are reading this blog, then you probably understand that I edit a lot of video. Since I started uploading to PE Universe and then Youtube I’ve found it to be a really powerful reflective practice to go back and watch myself teach or explain games and tasks. I originally started making the videos to share what I was doing with others – but I soon found out, watching it all back made me a better teacher.
After watching hours and hours of my teaching I’ve realized that there are some things that I say over, and over, and over, and over.
So I decided to share them with you. Maybe you can relate – or maybe you can use one of these common phrases in your own teaching practice.
You might be a PE Teacher if…
- You’ve said any of the following phrases approximately 1 billion times
- Your students can finish your sentences before you can
Check out 6 of my most common phrases below:
“The 3 Reminders”
I only do this with my K-2 kids… but I am not joking when I say, I do this EVERY SINGLE DAY. Every class is begun with these three reminders to stay away from the most common offenses:
“Just worry about yourself”
It’s hard enough to do the right thing yourself, let alone make sure everyone else is doing the right thing – am I right? As soon as you start trying to tell someone else what to do… you end up doing something wrong yourself… I don’t think I’ve taught a single Kindergarten class without saying this.
In the words of Michael Jackson, “If you want to make the world a better place, take a look at yourself and make a change…”
“You get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit”
Tired of kids fighting to get their favorite color or be on their best friends team… yea me too – that’s why I say this ALL THE TIME as you can tell from the kids finishing my sentence.
“It’s Just A Game!”
Definitely my most used phrase. Sometimes kids in PE can forget that we aren’t playing pro sports and it seems like they think their salary is tied to their performance – this is a good reminder.
I’ve found that it’s much more helpful to remind them about this BEFORE the game, rather than after. After all, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”.
“The More You Say… The Less You Play”
Unfortunately, I still struggle to get all of my kids to understand this concept – but that’s not going to keep me from explaining it to them over, and over, and over, and over again… At the very least, you’ll have some of the kids in your class start to figure it out setting a good example for others.
Marcus and I even recorded an entire Podcast Episode on this Topic you can Check it out below:
My kids can finish my sentences I say this so much, I picked up the rhyme from another teacher along the way somewhere.
Even after saying this so many times…
With some classes, we still waste so much time…
it seems like I have to wait on kids to stop talking FOREVER… (as you can see in the post below) 😜
View this post on Instagram
“You Can’t Do it… YET”
My least favorite phrase that I hear my students repeat often is “I can’t do it”
Don’t tell me you can’t do it, tell me you can’t do it YET! Tell me you’re going to keep on trying and giving 100% until you either accomplish your goal or it’s time to leave.
Perseverance is one of the most valuable traits we can try to instill in our students.
I learned about the “Power of Yet” from one of my PE Mentors Larry MacDonald.
Sometimes this also takes the form of “Do Your Best, Forget The Rest”
Any of those sound familiar?
Most of these phrases are used HEAVILY by me with my K-2nd students and less often with my older kids – not sure if they are starting to get it, or just growing up, but that’s usually how it works out.
Of course, I was hoping to get a few chuckles with this post, but don’t think those phrases aren’t intentional. They communicate some key concepts that I’ve found important to run a successful program and reinforce some key characteristics that I want my students to display. That’s why having common phrases that you use often is important and helpful for your students and developing your Physical Education Program.
Do you have a phrase or saying that you find yourself using ALL THE TIME?
Leave it in the comments below.
I say all that you mentioned and I’ve switched the phrase (recommended by a friend who is a P.E. Teacher) “The more you say, the less you play” to “The less you say, the more you Play.”
I like that approach Mary!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for ALWAYS doing your best and sharing!!! You ROCK! Keep up the GREAT work for your sweet kiddos! Practice makes progress…then permanent!
You’re welcome Jo Lynn!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Love the practice makes progress quote…so true!
Wait until we get into the gym and I will tell everyone what we are doing today.
Always! Thanks for sharing!
Practice is progress!
When too many hands are up to “ask a question” that I am pretty sure will be a story or I have already said, I tell them I am not accepting questions at this time:)
Great Alison!
Thanks for sharing!
Great sayings, I’m going to put them on a poster so all can see them.
Awesome Robert!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Could you stop doing that (probably spinning on their bottom) _________, “your distracting me.” They respond way better than if you just tell them to stop.
Thanks for sharing Gillian!
I’ve added this to the phrase “You get what you get and you don’t throw a fit.” “If you throw a fit, you will have to go sit.” (at the time out area).
I love that the kids repeat the phrases. I need to be more conscious of reminding them of the rules more often than I do.
Like that one Kraig! Thanks for sharing!
Definitely going to add that to the lexicon!
I use your phrases all the time!
3 rules are followed by the kids yell “WE KNOW!”
My favor tool phrase from yeas ago is
“ In a moment, but not yet”
You will . . . It gets them ready by informing them, so they know what’s coming. But they know not to start yet.
Thanks for sharing!
My homebase phrase is: “Let’s get through it, so we can get do it!”
Love it Kelly!
“Listen to Learn”
Thanks for sharing Byron!
I definitely use many of these sayings. “You get what you get, and you don’t get upset” is one quote that I used mostly in elementary school. In middle school my quote is ” it’s just a game”. Thanks for sharing.
Great words to live and teach by!
Thanks for sharing Kareem!
Yes, I have definitely said the phrases millions of times. Although I often use this phrase with a smile, “this will take much longer if you keep talking, but that’s OK, I can wait.”
However, the one I really want to share has started happening with my fourth and fifth graders. It seems that every time I give a short, sharp blast of the whistle, one of them will say “Teachable moment!“ my guess would be that I must have used that phrase a lot!
Thanks for the newsletter; I have been a PE teacher since 1977, but I’m still learning!
Wow Lloyann!
That’s amazing! 1977 you’re a legend!
Thanks for sharing your favorite phrases!
I’m a high school Math teacher who has switched to a behavoial middle school where I need to teach Math, Social Studies, and PE. I’m gaining every day in Math and keeping my head above water in Social Studies but drowning in PE! We rent our gym spave and I feel like we’re wasting money and it’s my fault. I’ve used OpenPE and other online lesson plan sites but the need is moving faster than my ability. I dedicate plenty of extra time in an ettempt to be successful but I just can’y do it. We may loose our PE program all together and our students really need it. Your, “PE year plan in 15 minutes” is great but if I don’t know how to teach the items within the blocks, it’s worthless. If you can help or send me to someone who can, please do. I buy my own school supplies but the gym has a lot of items for us that I just don’t know how to correctly use. They do have an outstanding fitness room with weights of all kinds, stationary bikes, tredmills, and such, but I need to know how to teach them to use it properly and in the best way to fit them.
Hey Craig,
Thanks for reaching out!
Sorry you’re having trouble trying to navigate the PE world. It can be overwhelming and we hear you!
The first step is breaking the lesson down into simple parts you can understand.
Part One: Warmup – Check out the blog post on how we do our warm up. Awesome Warmup Activities
Part Two: Lesson Body – This is where you teach the skill you want students to learn. You may need to do research to find the best ideas for the fitness but check out the link below for a good lesson visual:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/jumprope/
Part Three: Closure – end the lesson with an assessment or review of the activities taught. Then give them an idea of what they are learning the next week.
This is basically what we do each week to help students.
If you’re interested in a deep dive you may want to join our membership community where you have access to all our resources including lesson plans and videos for visuals. https://www.thepespecialist.com/info/
Hope this helps!
There is never a right time to do the wrong thing and there is never a wrong time to do the right thing
Perfect Ron!
Thank you for sharing!
“looking for students that look & sound ready”
“if you have a ball, put your foot on it lightly as though it were an egg”
“flat on your bottom, legs folded, hands in your lap, voices off, eyes on me”
These are great Dave thank you for sharing!!!
Hilarious! Totally the top phrases I say and it makes me feel less crazy that someone else is repeating themselves a billion times as well!
Another phrase I use all the time,
“Are you making good choices?”
“Are yo being a leader or a boss?”
Thanks for sharing Amy!
I really like “leader or a boss” such a good distinction between what you’re doing and what you can be!
When they won’t settle down and aren’t ready to listen, I have begun to start my IPhone stopwatch, holding it up for them to see the numbers of seconds scrolling by and the time we are wasting. When they re-group, I stop the time. If it happens again, I start the timer again. They have responded well…they re-focus more quickly, and often want to know if they are wasting less time than the day before.
That’s an awesome idea Peg!
Even better flashing the timer up on the screen so they can see it as well.
Thanks for sharing!
“Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t mean that its not someone else’s favorite.”
Robbyn Schultz
That’s a good one Marc!
Thanks for sharing!
1. Same behavior, same results.
2. When you know better, you’ll do better.
Those are impressive Sabrina! Thanks for sharing!
I have stolen many of these from you! I often use “the more you say, the less you play” and “it’s just a game”. What I find myself CONSTANTLY saying a million times a day is “please stay on your feet!” and “if you aren’t listening then you can’t be safe! please turn your listening ears on!”
All of those are used daily Saige! Thanks for sharing!
In three rules what their rule ???
Hey Manoj!
You can check out the three rules below:
https://youtu.be/vqGmm_5gix0
Hope this helps!
I swear…if I had a penny for every time I have had to say “Stand Up” or “Sit down”, I’d be richer than Bill Gates. It is evident that they lost SOOOOO much by being home/on Zoom last year. It’s crazy!
So true Colleen! We have to have lots of patience with them these days!
Thanks for sharing!
“Good Winners don’t brag
Good Losers don’t make up excuses!”
Kinder—“Just try-Don’t cry”
“Hands on your head
Hands on your shoulders
Hands on your HIPS
Nothing coming out of your LIPS!”
Thanks for sharing Teresa! Those are classics!
“Be kind and remind” Students can remind a peer if they are breaking/forget a rule.
Thanks for sharing Coach! That’s a good one!
~Student complains of being “injured”
~I say “Do you best”
ALL DAY LONG!
All day long Morgan!
No doubt!
Thanks for sharing!
Another one I use, taken from fitness guru Chris Freytag, “there’s no shame in the modification game”. Another of hers, simple yet powerful, “yes you can”. In response to the “I cant’s”. Thx for all you do!
Hey Tammy!
Those are great! Communicating to students about ways to modify and still be successful is an important life skill!
Thanks for sharing!
Keep your hands to yourself!!
All day every day Elena!
HI! One time I was reading through the site and found where Ben had typed a phrase. I only wrote down a portion of it and now I can’t figure out/find the rest of it for the life of me. The only way to always win is…….. Do you happen to know the rest of it? Thanks
Hey Liz!
…Measure your success by how much effort you put in…
Here is a link to a video of Ben explaining the phrase:
https://youtu.be/UZcbf4PkuSM
Hope this helps!
Thanks Ben. Today was my first day back as the kids show up after Labor Day. Good luck this year!
Good luck to you as well Hugh! Stay safe!
1. “We treat people the way we want to be treated!”
2. “For every action there is a reaction! If your action is KIND, what do you think their REaction is going to be?”
3. “Rock, paper, scissor to solve that problem!”
Hey Jodi,
I really like all three of those! Especially number 2! Those are words to live by!
When I give K-2 the 3 reminders…it doesn’t take long for them to say their part in a dull monotonous tone because they’ve heard it every single day. Maybe because I’m teaching them every day from Mon-Fri?
When I tell them ‘the more you talk, the less time you have’ there is ALWAYS one student who goes YAY! Good! or something to that effect…either because they really feel that way or because they are that one student that has never will never like PE.
Hey Tiffany,
Keep pressing on! If students value the lesson, they will be excited about doing the right thing. Even in our situation, we still have students who act the same way as you describe.
We just try not to panic and explain to them the importance of our lesson to hope it will positive affect their attitude toward our class!
Stay with it!
Hi Ben
I have been getting many great pe activities and saving them to my email archive folder.
Do you have any other suggestions as to how to save And organize these resources?? Thank you!
Hey Steve,
Great question!
What works best for us is to have an organized Google Drive or external Hard Drive to organize resources. For website, we recommend Google Keep! It’s a web based application you can use to archive, save, and organize digital materials.
You could also bookmark on your browser as well!
Hope this helps!
If you had fun, you won! 🙂
Yes CJ that’s what we say all the time as well!
Lol, yeah…I find myself saying, “we need to put on our listening ears!”
All the time Adam! Thanks for sharing!
You should make a poster with some of those sayings on them.
Yea that’s a great idea Dennis! I will pass that along to Ben!
I truly appreciate your posts on repetitive, yet important phrases
Thanks Ellen! It’s important to be positive!
Can’t is a 4 letter word in my gym!!! It is immediately changed to yet. they actually have to stop what they are doing and say it correctly!!!
That’s awesome Marla! Great strategy for students!
You get what you get and you don’t pitch a fit is one of my faves. So much better than how I learned it “you don’t get upset” it’s fine to feel upset but then it’s time to use some self-reg skills and keep going (if you can). For lots of the kids I taught in K-2, this was still really hard but it was great to see them try.
That’s the goal Robbie! Hopefully we can give students the tools to handle any situation they are in!
You might be a PE teacher if…
You dress down during the week and dress up on the weekends!
Haha Rob,
So true! Confuses students when we see them out in public!
I see myself saying many of those phrases with my K-4 kiddos! I also find myself with a phase for the kids who say “I can’t do it.” I tell them to repeat after me “I may not be able to do it YET.” Within minutes they find a little success to whatever they are trying to master (especially jump roping).
True Cherie,
“Yet” is a powerful word! Can motivate students to achieve all their goals!
My new repeat phrase this year with COVID restrictions…
“Check your 6. Get your 6. Keep your 6.” repeat, repeat, repeat! LOL
Referring to checking your 6′ social distance space.
I like that Vicki! Thanks for sharing! Always telling students to spread out!
Thank you for being the PE Specialist. You have kept me motivated during this Covid time.
Hey Hugh!
Glad we could provide some motivation during this time. We sure need it!
I say those things all day everyday!!!!!
Haha…never gets old!
“Mask up!” I say it constantly. I think I’m going to get a TShirt.
Haha definitely going to add that one to the lexicon! Thanks Susan!
Remember….tag nicely and gently.
It’s better to get tagged then to get hurt.
Of course that needs to be said…
over and over 🙂
Tag with a touch… not a whack, slap, punch! Kids love this one;-)
That’s a good one Charlene! Thanks for sharing!
You must be a PE Teacher if you ever tied at wet shoe lace and it is not even raining or snowing outside! Lol
LOL, that’s when you tell them to get a friend to help them out 🙂
I tell all of my students “Nice job” and sometimes because of the repetiveness I say “Good game” over and over like I did as a kid after a baseball game.
Ah the nostalgia of all those T-ball games just came back to me 🙂
This is a great service you provide! We all appreciate you BEN!
When I’m working with middle school students who love drama, I say, “It’s none of your business what others think about you”. Hopefully it’s empowering, once it sinks in…
Therese
Haha, love it – I could use that with my 5th graders … and my 5 year old daughter 🙂
If you don’t listen, you don’t play! They watch the first 5 minutes so I know they understand how to play.
Nice!
I sometimes have a student that will frequently complain about others behaviors instead of focusing on their own responsibilities. When this happens, I say to them “thank you for telling me”. Without saying anything else, I continue my lesson. They usually stand there for a few seconds in shock that I haven’t immediately taken care of their concern and with nothing else to say they get back to work.
I learned that many years ago at an inservice in Maryland, but I forgot the name of the teacher that gave the presentation. Does anyone know who I am talking about?
Sometimes kids just want to be heard … adults too 🙂
Love all of your sayings Ben and I use them all the time. Since students often accuse others of cheating during a game (whether they actually did or not), I always remind them that “it’s just a game” and that we are in PE for 2 reasons: 1) Get some exercise and 2) Have some fun.
I also find myself saying a lot: “real winners never cheat and real cheaters never win”.
Good stuff – glad you can relate!
Thank you for the videos and information…very helpful!
Glad to hear that!
Hi Ben!! You are absolutely correct! I find myself saying things 1 billion times it seems. 2nd graders are the newbies to our school (we have 2nd and 3rd in our building) and they have to constantly be reminded of the rules and expectations daily!! 3rd grade gets it (they are the “Seniors”)…they don’t like wasting P.E. time. They love it too much!!!!!! 😀
When students need rest time I say, “Count to 10 and go again”. This way they get a chance to catch their breath, but they know they can’t just stand around or walk the whole time.
That’s cool, thanks for sharing, I like that idea.
Hey man
First of all, thank you so much for all the amazing free content. You are doing so much for new PE teachers all of the world.
A common problem that I have in my classes, from K all the way up, is when I split my classes into teams. Often children don’t want to work with someone that is not the greatest athelte, or maybe someone that they just don’t fancy working with. It’s often a sensitive topic if kids involved are overweight or maybe they just don’t have many friends or are not liked by their class mates.
Do you have any good tips on how I can use this teaching opportunity and what language I can use?
Thanks again dude, and keep up the great work.
Hey Bryce! This is a common issue for sure – there’s no quick solution, but I think like you said discussing why it’s important to be willing to work with anyone is an important thing to do often.
“If I’m not willing to work with others, I’m likely not going to be able to get a job one day” is the concept I discuss with my kids often.
We will also use an App Called Team Shake to split kids up quickly and evenly and without complaining because “it was the iPads choice”
And at the beginning of the year I’ll practice partnering up and grouping up over and over again until kids can do it quickly and without even thinking twice about who their partner is eg.) Find a partner who you haven’t been with yet today and get toe to toe… now find a new partner and get elbow to elbow… now find a group of three and get back to back… eventually they run out of best friends and start trying to find someone quickly.
Hope that helps!
“Just do your best.”
My arm hurts…just do your best.
I’m tired…just do your best.
I’m not good at this…just do your best.
Haha – All Day Every Day 🙂
Keep your hands & feet to yourself.
If you are in a line, then you are not standing beside someone!!!
Yes! Hands and feet to yourself – say it all the time
It is not a common phrase I say to kids, around here when it is PD time the specials teachers are . PD is developed for those teaching math, reading or giving the state test etc.. We either sit through something that does not apply to our teaching situation or we figure out our concept we want to learn about and we have to fill out a form and summit to do our own thing. Basically a special teacher makes their own PD. So here is mine, You Might Be A PE Teacher If:
You have to develop your own PD!
haha – so true! PE Central has some great PD courses for that as well
You get what you get, don’t throw a fit.
I’ll tell you when I tell the rest of the class. (In response to: What are we doing today.)
The more you say, the less you play.
WOW or Oh man, what did you do about that? (In response to tattle telling.) When students cant come up with an answer I help them decide what they can do.
Have you tried to tie your shoe? (response before I offer to help first 6 weeks of school for Kinder students.) After that, I tell them to get help from the Shoe Sharif which is any student who can tie shoes. (They all want to be a Shoe Sharif!) (A Kindergarten teacher taught me this one. She even gave out Sharif badges to students who could ties shoes the first few weeks of school.)
Haha – love the Shoe Sherrif idea, I always ask them to get help from a friend as well!
Thank you so much for sharing your experiences and knowledge with us. They give me ideas on planning, expectations, and classroom management. Thank you!
So pumped to hear that! Glad it’s helpful
Winner, Winner, Chicken Diner! Don’t boast or brag. Just be a good sport! I’m not giving out any medals or trophies! Just say good game.
🙂 Good stuff!
I work in a special needs school and need more ideas for in class PE activities. I am working with small spaces. I have some ideas but can always use more. Thank you
Hey Steve, I’m not the expert on your situation, so I’d recommend connecting with someone who’s an Adapted PE Specialist – our kids are all mainstreamed into normal ed classes at my school.
P.S. Below are some APE resources that have been recommended to me by others, but I’ve never actually checked them out since I don’t have any self contained classes at my school (the kids are all mainstreamed in) – maybe you’ll find something useful
Texas- http://www.tahperd.org/web/Online/About_us/Adapted_Physical_Education.aspx
California- https://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/pe/cf/
Special Olympics – https://resources.specialolympics.org/unified-champion-schools-resources/
and http://media.specialolympics.org/resources/community-building…
Spark Inclusive PE – https://sparkpe.org/inclusive/
Discover Inclusive PE – https://www.nchpad.org/1402/6261/Discover~Inclusive~Physical~Education
MAPEC- https://mapec.wikispaces.com/
Camp Abilities SMART UP Manual https://go.efca.org/sites/default/files/resources/docs/2016/01/camp_startup_guide.pdf
YES!!! This is my first year back teaching elementary after being away for 15. My top two are telling them to worry about themselves and the more you talk the less time we will have to play the really fun activities I have for you. I have read and like that you go over the same three phrases every class period. I am going to start that with my students.
Awesome – hope it goes well! Congrats on getting back into it
When a student sits on a ball….
“You’re not a chicken and it’s not an egg”
haha – stealing that for sure
I used to use, “You get what you get and you don’t get upset” at the elementary level.
Criss cross applesause.
Eyes and ears on me.
At the high school level I feel that simply stating it is your time, or its your game time or free time gets the students attention. The sooner we get through directions the more time you have to play.
“Reach for your toes – and don’t bend your knees.”
I am so tired of saying the “don’t bend your knees” part. LOL!
haha – yea, common struggle over here too
Be an energy giver. Not an energy taker.
I like that
I like that – gotta hate an energy vampire
Be a faucet, not a drain
🙂 I like that one!
“The more you talk, the less time you have” is my number 1 saying with “Calm down, it’s just a game” coming in a close 2nd. All of your phrases I have used at some point but those two are my staples. The only difference is I’ve been having say it more with my 5th graders than anyone.
Glad you can relate!
Hocus pocus it’s time to focus!
🙂 I like it!
I say “Space” all day. “Space” means you are too close to someone, who are in their personal space, you are not safe or it is not appropriate. I say Space all day.
So true – Gotta find that open space!
When we work on individual skill tasks, such as tossing and catching, and I want students to watch me model the next task….I realized I say, “Everyone look at me,” A LOT. It became very obvious when I had a Kindergarten boy last year that was sight impaired. Every time I said that phrase, he would say, “Teacher, you know I can’t see you.” I would tell him it was okay he couldn’t see me, and I would come help him. But, he would still repeat it back to me every time I said it. (It was pretty cute!)
That’s pretty funny I say the same phrases all the time. Thanks for sharing.
Ben, I am not a PE teacher, but in my classroom (math/science 4-8) these ideas work as well. I have what I call my famous quotes. I begin the sentence, and the students complete it. Helps us all focus on the main idea or goal. By the way, this is my favorite entry on your blog so far:) Love, Mom ?
Awesome! Glad to hear it’s cross curricular 🙂
When ever my students are running and they walk too much we say, “Count to 10 then jog again” This helps them remember to start up again. We also say, “No walk and talk.” When they start walking with friends they get chatting and completely forget to put the effort in and challenge themselves.
Nice! I love those phrases, especially the “count to 10 then jog again” thanks for sharing
My favorite to use with 5-8 graders when they aren’t following the rules ( or trying to twist the rules ) is “nobody like playing with Cheater Elves”. I will have 8th grade boys come to me and say: ‘So and so is being a cheater elf’.
When a student comes to me and has a physical “ailment” of some sort, I pat them on the back and say “Just do the best you can”. They inevitably play and forget they had an ailment.
Haha, I say that all the time too – “Just do your best” … or sometimes I’ll just say, Are you OK? Then they say yes and go back to the activity…
I say that all the time
I feel like I always use so many love and logic phrases, especially, “I will start when you show me that you are ready.” And a lot of, “hands to self.” And, “please stop sliding and spinning around.” Definitely a broken record some times. I’m glad I’m not alone!
Nope, kids are very similar everywhere you go 🙂
Be a leader not a followe!
Love that!
“Leave it on the field!!” Whatever happened (good or bad) during the game stays there and you don’t bring it with you to the next class, recess, etc…
What happens on the field, stays on the field 🙂
Hello Ben! Thank you for the materials for the lessons. I’m your fan from Russia.
My favorite phrase for the children: “Today it will be difficult. Have you come here for difficulties? I prepared them for you.” So you will enjoy the victory! ”
After the team games: “There are no losers in the lessons, there are only winners and those who are learning to win.” They got smarter, they are at school. “
I love that mindset Victor – especially the “Have you come here for difficulties? I prepared them for you, so you will enjoy the victory”
I might steal that one – thanks for sharing
I tell my kids, mostly the kindergarteners, first and second graders the I am allergic to whining! I post the words inside of a stop sign and hang it in the gym after I demonstrate the difference between that and crying if you are truly injured!
I think I have that same allergy!
Look into the book “teaching with love and logic”. That’s super helpful! I use it especially when I have my 4/5 graders. They want to argue with me and I calmly say “Make an appointment for after school and we can argue then.” I’ve never had any student sign up. Things like that come from the book.
Sounds like a good one – thanks for the tip!
Totally especially, “It’s just a game” and ” the more you talk the less time we have”. My kids are so competitive so countless times I will have to remind them we are not getting paid for particpating in elementary P.E. nor training for the Olympics it instantly brings down the tension and brings a little laughter.
haha – yep, I say that all the time too
Two ears One mouth = listen more talk less
If we we were suppose to talk more and listen less we would have two mouths and one ear!
haha – YES.
I learned a phrase from my co-worker and use it all the time. When a student comes up (to usually ‘tattle’ on someone else) we ask “Are you bleeding, throwing up or physically hurt?” If they cannot answer yes to any of those, we ask them to try to solve the problem on their own. They know that those are the three ‘adult’ times that we will help. We also have a conflict corner and have asked them to use it unless they are bleeding, throwing up or hurt.
Great managements strategy, conflict corner is a live saver.
Awesome and funny. I love the MJ quote.
i don’t know if you have hear of N.E.D (Ned) but it was a guy who came to our school and did tricks with some yo yos . He had a cartoon character (board) that stood up whose name was Ned. There was some good life lessons that were taught but i use his name in my class sometimes. NED stands for …Never give up, Encourage others, Do your best…..
I will check out PE geek and the other one I saw. Gracias!!!!
Very cool, thanks for sharing!
My favorite is mind your own bobber.
Hi Ben,
Loved your blog mate. This is coming all the way from Melbourne, Australia (sporting capital of Australia).
Without doubt, my favourite and number one used phrase is ‘ Try your best and forget the rest’. This simply establishes the notion of effort/learning being more important than winning or losing.
Kids sing it out loud before I get to the word ‘your’ , they hear at that often!
Haha – Awesome! Glad to have an Ozzy reader, thanks for sharing!
Hi Ben
Love your blog, videos and tips. Learning a lot (finally did my PE specialist) and sharing with staff too.
I have to say every time I teach the JK/SK classes it’s “look ahead with your eyes, away from walls and benches, and keep your space bubble!” Inevitably there is a collision between two anyway. Wish they could all read and I just hung a sign on me!!!!
Good suggestions from the other comments especially for those who don’t get the equipment they want.
Cheers from Toronto
“Let it go” is one of my most common. A student is upset about losing, not getting the partner they wanted, the color of equipment….. the list goes on.
Sometimes I add in, “Let it go, and I am not talking about a song from the movie Frozen.”
Sometimes a little humor can help the student forget about the problem.
Occasionally (if the situation is right), I start singing the song.
Haha, I’ve definitely busted out in a little musical rendition of this as well – kids always love it.
All of those are familiar, especially “the more you talk, the less you play.” My coworker told a class once “I get paid whether you sit there and talk or play the game so it’s up to you.” I spend a lot of time telling kids in Knd and 1st grade “we’re all friends” because someone will come up complaining that so and so said they’re not going to be their friend anymore. Drives me nuts!
Yep, K-1 friend drama is everywhere 🙂
I am new to teaching PE, I have been coaching in sports full time the last 10 years,
but in classes that I teach, I work with Middle and high school kids.
Some of the phrases are very familiar lol
I have some very intense competitive students that get caught up in the game and will argue with each other.
The phrase i use alot is “This is PE class, its Not the Hunger games” we are here have fun and stay active.
haha That’s awesome Jamie – I like that one.
If you had fun you won!
Definately use all of these slightly worded different. My favorite is who are you in charge of kids respond yourself and point to themselves. If they are whiny, laying down, not doing what they are suppose too I say I don’t get to go take a nap or do what I want …I have a job to do. what would happen if Mrs. Cosner came in or saw me not doing my job. Kids : you get fired. 5th grade has heard it all through elementary middle school too and I will also call out who needs to hear my good social and life skills discussion? They know that one really well! Have fun everyone! Teaching my student teacher the tricks if the trade!
Great points! I’ve definitely said that before as well.
Yes, yes, yes!!!! I use all those phrases and repeat them daily with my 5 Kdg’s and 5 1st Grades! I love your blog Ben!
Hi Ben,
I use one similar about students talking and it goes “The more you say, the less we play”
The classes can all finish the saying for me.
Thanks,
Brad
Ha, Love it. I might have to borrow that one.
When giving out equipment I say “You get what you get,” and the kids respond with, “and you don’t get upset!”
They’re indoctrinated 🙂
Hahaha so do my students! They sing it as a song sometimes just for fun.
Hi Ben I have found myself saying some of those phrases as well. When I want to get kids to not worry about what others are doing I use the phrase Stay In Your Lane. Meaning it’s your job to take care of you and what’s happening in your lane of life. Those that remember this will achieve their goals sooner than others and those that choose to take their eyes off of their lane and swerve into another friends lane or business could be causing wrecks i.e./problems or slowing down achieving their goals! So when I see students worrying about what others are doing I ask them “are you in your lane” they respond No coach I say we’ll get back in your lane and focus on keeping your eyes on the prize! YOu!
Totally makes sense. I can see kids reminding others about that as well, thanks for sharing.
I say, ” you get what you get and you don’t get upset!”
I say that too!
When students are more concerned with others than their own behavior, I say, “Take care of your own good self!”
Hi Ben!! You are absolutely correct! I find myself saying things 1 billion times it seems. 2nd graders are the newbies to our school (we have 2nd and 3rd in our building) and they have to constantly be reminded of the rules and expectations daily!! 3rd grade gets it (they are the “Seniors”)…they don’t like wasting P.E. time. They love it too much!!!!!! 😀
Haha, my third graders wish they were “seniors” that’s hilarious.