This is a lifelong project for me — a mission to design lessons that teach academic concepts and fundamental movement patterns at the same time.

Ultimately, choosing teams is not just an SEL exercise for students—it’s also a test of restraint and observation for adults. As teachers, our instinct is to solve problems quickly. But Montessori reminds us: never do for the child what they can do for themselves.

When I first encountered this material, I was inspired to translate its central concept into movement. If the boxes shrink step by step, why not have the playing area shrink in a game to give students a physical, visceral experience of the same idea?

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When we think about coaching or leading an athletic program, the first things that come to mind are usually practice plans, strategies, and skill development. But there’s something even more powerful that athletic directors and coaches need to embrace: storytelling.

Throughout my teaching experience, whenever students ask "why" they need to know something, I make sure to have a solid answer. Because if I don’t, guess what, those kids are immediately going to tune me out. If I can’t answer why, then why should they need to know it? The phrases "It’s good to know” or “to be a well-rounded student” do not spark interest. There needs to be a reason why the student is going to pay the mental cost of attention to learn something, and a good explanation can motivate and inspire.

Here is a new exciting game: Capture the Flag Football!

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“His teammate balances the ball on his stick and runs towards the wood pole to score.”

My first reaction in my head was, "You don’t want to be a PE teacher." Yet, I am a PE teacher. Why am I telling my son not to be a PE teacher when that has become my chosen profession? I sincerely love what I do, yet I was advocating for him not to do it. Why the disconnect?