Websters Dictionary defines physical as concerned or preoccupied with the body and its needs and defines activity as the state or quality of producing or involving movement. I agree with Mr. Websters definitions. I see physical activity as doing some kind of movement in order to assist in improving or maintaining a bodys level of health. By maintaining or improving that level of health, physical activity also plays a big role in a persons quality of life. How happy or complete a person feels many times depends upon, how their body looks, how they are feeling inside, or how fit they feel. This is where I see the physical educator stepping into the picture. As a physical education teacher, you need to be able to instill the meaning and importance of being physically active. In her book, Lumpkin defines physical education as a process through which an individual obtains optimal physical, mental, and social skills and fitness through physical activity. Not only do teachers need to impress upon the students the effects activity can have on their lives physically, but also mentally, and socially.For as long as I can remember, I have always been physically active in some way, shape, or form. When I was five I was enrolled in dance classes, both ballet, tap and eventually jazz/modern dance. It grew to be something I loved to do. I was also beginning to develop a love for softball, which I played competitively until I graduated from high school. At the age of ten, I became captivated with basketball. I played on the school teams until the ninth grade, but I still enjoy playing for fun. Field hockey became the greatest sport known to me when I reached ninth grade, and I still think it is the best sport to this day. All these sporting activities, plus the walks and bike rides in the woods I love to take when I am at home, helped to develop my love and passion for physical education. Without realizing it, physical education had beco...
