This is a great management system that I created in order to cut down on the time I spent dealing with students who were unable to participate in class. It allows the teacher to focus more time on teaching, gives the student some accountability and increases parent communication.
As a new teacher I realized that many of my students were coming to PE class without the proper shoes, wearing dresses or claiming they did not feel good. I found that I was wasting time at the beginning of class dealing with these issues and wanted to create a system that would automate and take care of the majority of these issues without forcing me to waste any instructional time.
So I created this worksheet, which I go over at the beginning of the year with students so that throughout the year, I don’t waste any instructional time and parents know if and why their child is missing any PE time.
I have created a full page worksheet and a half page worksheet for those that want to save paper.
Check out the video below for an overview of the system:
The best way to implement this management system is to have multiple forms already on clipboards hanging on the wall and explain the procedure to students. Our students know that when they walk into the gym with inappropriate shoes or are injured/not feeling well they to go directly to the wall, take a clipboard and pencil and fill out the form.
This decreases distraction for the teacher and streamlines the beginning of the lesson, which can sometimes become delayed when students immediately come up to you with excuses about being unprepared for class or excuses about not feeling well.
We also use this form if a student needs some “re-focus” time or needs to go to time-out after 2 warnings. They fill out the form, we have a quick talk and then they return to the activity, the parent signs it to acknowledge they are aware of the incident and then they bring it back.
I will add that as PE teachers I think it should be our main goal to create active kids. For this reason as long as the shoes are not a safety concern I usually let the student participate after filling out the form. For example, high heels will never be safe for PE class. Flip flops might be OK, but not if we are doing jump rope activities or soccer. I allow kids to participate whenever possible because I want them to get the activity and hate to see kids missing out on instruction. This way the parent still gets a note from me about the student being unprepared and the student still gets to learn the content and participate in the activity.
If the student is physically unable to participate I try to find an alternate activity for them. For example, if they have a sprained ankle, I’ll put an iPad workout on for them (see the Instagram post below or check it out on instagram here)
That’s just what I’ve found to work for my program, but you can make your own decision about what is best for you. Also, remember that the best motivator for kids to come to class prepared is to make sure that what you are teaching is valuable to them and fun to participate in – that way they won’t want to miss out on it.
I hope it works for you as well as it has for us!
Another idea you could use is this one from Greg Climan – create a class challenge to use some peer pressure to motivate students to wear the right shoes to class – great idea!
Download the form you see in the video below:
UPDATE: I created a new form recently, you can find it below:
P.S. For tips on how to handle “Fake Injuries” check out our FAQ Page
Cathy Smith says
How much are the posters for the gym walls?
Marcus says
Most of the posters in our gym are available for free at the link below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/pepostertour/
The exercise posters and the cues posters come at a cost of $12 and $14 respectively.
All of the posters and resources are available within our membership, info can be found below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/info
Christine Hickey says
Thank you for all these helpful tools!! I stole some of your slide show 🙂
Marcus says
Sharing is caring Christine!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Katie Covar says
I would love to see the on the bench form
Marcus says
Hey Katie,
You can access the “On the Bench From” at the link below:
On the Bench Form
Hope this helps!
Antonete says
Thank you!
Marcus says
You’re welcome Antonete!
Glad you’re enjoying the resources!
Jacob West says
Hey Ben,
I am now teaching middle school 6-8 physical education and have been wanting to implement the on the bench in PE or out of PE form.
How do you handle the issue of students not taking the forms home, getting it signed, and returning it to you? In addition, what about if a student refuses to fill a form out and/or take it with them? Sorry if these questions are already answered somewhere!
Thanks!
Marcus says
Hey Jacob,
Thanks for reaching out!
Great question! It depends on your situation.
If students are not taking the forms home, or getting them signed, or not returning them back to you then you can communicate directly to the parents. We usually do this if students become a repeat offender.
Everyone situation is different so we just want to communicate with the parent.
If a students refuses to fill out the form, we mark it down on our attendance sheet and if need to, can communicate the issue with parents as well.
You can see how Ben does his recording on the attendance sheet at the link below:
How I Do Grades
Hope this helps!
Lisa Davis says
Hey!
First time PE teacher here… I’ve got 3 lines of primary PE. I LOVE your site and all your expertise!
I was trying to download the “orange sheets” to use as part of my program but they don’t seem to want to load? I wondered if they could be emailed?
THANK YOU so much for sharing your knowledge! I’d be lost without so much of it!
Lisa
Marcus Nellems says
Hey Lisa,
I have attached the link to download the sheets below:
https://www.thepespecialist.com/downloads/on-the-bench-in-pe-v-2-0/
Thanks for the kind words!
Jackson says
How can I do some pe education
Robbie says
I need a health unit for the end of year. I would like to use games to insure kids know about healthy eating or habits. Any ideas?
Ben Landers says
Not a huge health guru, but sometimes the schedule works out to give me a random class coming twice a week for an extra PE class, if that’s the case I do a little health integration with them, which I’ve blogged about at the link below:
* https://www.thepespecialist.com/health/
Hope that’s helpful!
Karen Hika-Borrello says
I have taught PE for 22 years on the secondary level and have thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This year, my retirement year, I was asked to teach in one of our elementary schools. I came upon your sight 2 months ago and it has been a God Send. I love your approach (as I watch your videos) and all that you share. It will definitely make this year so much easier for me and give me the opportunity to enjoy this new experience as well.
Ben Landers says
Awesome to hear that – I hope you have a great year at the Elementary Level, it can be a lot of fun 🙂
Tai says
I can’t seem to download the “on the bench in PE” form using your link….I’m a new PE teacher and just love your site! Thank you for putting your experience out there for newbies like me. I’m trying to be as prepared as can be before school starts next month. Can you email me the form? Do you happen to have printable versions of the self assessment charts you use on the gym wall as well? Thanks!!
Ben Landers says
Sorry about the issue!
Usually, this issue is related to a school filter, pop-up blocker, or browser caching issue – so we’d recommend trying from another computer, switching browsers, clearing your cache and making sure all pop up blockers have been turned off.
As a another option you can also find some of our products on our Teachers Pay Teachers Page Here: https://www.teacherspayteachers.com/Store/The-Pe-Specialist
Rita Tucker says
When my students don’t wear the correct shoes for P.E., I usually have them walk in a designated spot, out of the way of the game/activity, but close enough for me to see and interact with them. This way, I am ensuring they get some activity, and usually helps them remember to wear the correct shoes next time. I then send a Shoe Reminder slip home with them. I like the piece where the classroom teacher circles the days they go to P.E., since they come to me on a rotation, because it helps remind the students/parents and keeps everyone to be in the loop. As for returns, I haven’t been tracking returns beyond making a note in my composition book that I carry. If it becomes a chronic problem (more 2 days or more), I try to call the parent to follow through. If they have an issue with obtaining tennis shoes, I like the idea of having extra, but worry about foot diseases. I suppose if I had a way of spraying/sanitizing the insides of the shoes between wearers, I might feel more comfortable.
Ben Landers says
Sounds about the same as what I do Rita – I feel the same way about the donated shoes as well
Dawn Perry says
Forgotten tennis shoes are not an issue in my classes, their shoes and socks come off and they can do PE in their bare feet. I teach girls PE so if they come wearing dresses, I hand them a clean leotard and direct them to go take off their dress and change into the loaner leotard. It usually only takes coming in a dress once for them to remember the rest of the year. But some of them have tough feet and actually like doing PE barefoot. That’s a problem …
Ben Landers says
I like the idea of always having kids participate – but I feel like letting kids play barefoot could be a legal issue if they get hurt. Unless it’s an activity like tumbling/gymnastics I always have my kids wear shoes because I just don’t feel it’s safe and don’t want to be responsible if they hurt themselves.
Deanna Solomon says
Hi Ben,
Another great resource, thank you.
How do you follow up with the students to make sure that they get the form signed and returned? I was thinking of having them add their name to a list for the day so I know to follow up. I am just thinking of grade 7/8s who will use it as a way to get out of participating and then not doing anything about the form.
D
Joel says
I was wondering the same thing, Ben…Do you make a record on your roster/attendance/assessment sheet? What do you do with the forms when a student returns it? What happens when a student doesn’t return it?
I’m totally fine with there being no consequence – just an attempted communication piece between parent-student-teacher is good enough sometimes 🙂
I enjoy your resources and insights as well!
Joel
Ben Landers says
Yep – I just put a note on my roster when it goes home, but I don’t track the returns.
Nicart says
Hi. Im a PE teacher here in Dubai and by far your site is the
most practical and simplified amongst all the PE sites ive been to. Your modification and the way you connect to kids are what PHYSED learners need. You inspire me a lot looking forward for more
Ben Landers says
Whoa! Thanks Nicart! I really appreciate the comment and I’m glad it’s been helpful!
Brenda Simone says
I keep a couple baskets of donated tennis shoes that I keep in the gym for my elementary kids to wear if they forget their tennis shoes. I never want kids sitting out of my PE class! Being prepared for class with tennis shoes is an expectation so a “shoe alert” note is still sent home.
Ben Landers says
Nice, I know a few teachers that do that in my district as well – thanks for sharing.
alicia whalen says
Thank you very much Ben I appreciate the response.
Alicia says
Hi Ben,
I am a second year Phys Ed teacher…loving all your resources! Thank you.
My school gym is shared with the community rec centre. The rec centre staff allow my students to play in the gym with their socks after school hours. When they come to P.E. they think its completely normal to wear socks too…which I am against. I don’t see it being an easy switch during rec centre hours but while I’m teaching sock use has become a pain / constant reminder. I teach k-12.
My idea is if they refuse to go barefoot they cannot participate because its a safety issue. Is that fair? Would I have them fill out the orange sheet and return to their homeroom? I hate kicking students out of class. What is your recommendation?
Ben Landers says
I share my space with afterschool as well – the expectations in our afterschool program are TOTALLY different from the expectations in my class. I think you decide what you think is safe and stick with it, you can’t control what kids do afterschool, unless you have a good relationship with the director and can make a request.
I don’t allow kids to go without shoes in PhysEd class bc it’s a safety issue (with exception for our gymnastics unit). If kids are wearing flops, crocs or boots – I make them fill out the form then let them participate or find an alternate activity for them (lifting weights, doing an iPad workout, resistance bands etc.)
So I wouldn’t allow socks or barefoot – that’s just my opinion/view on it. I’ve also heard of people having a “Shoe library” that kids can borrow from, but that seems a little gross to me and then your dealing with sanitizing shoes all the time…