In my class I rarely have this problem. The students know that they will be penalized, although I do encourage them to participate in class even though they did't change their clothes. I used to have them write reports, or take a zero, all which isn't good. I want them moving. Also, you could have them walk the gym, jumprope, or lift weights, the object is to keep them active!

I think having a very simple set of expectations that all students understand. I teach a fitness class for grades7/8. Their grade is based on their numbers improving. What that means is that they are competing against themselves. If they can improve on what they did the previous week, they get their points. I think this gives them a comfort level where they are not being compared to the rest of the group.

Good Morning,

I teach PE/Health at the high school level. We have had a similar issue with motivating high school students to participate in our classes as well as changing into appropriate clothes for activity. I will personally allow students to participate for some credit if they have proper shoes on, but are not fully changed. I think it is more important to have them physically active instead of being punished because they do not have sweats/shorts on, but are wearing sneakers. As a department, we have come up with some ideas that we are going to implement in the future which include student choice of activities and rotating through a variety of activities throughout the class to keep motivation and student engagement levels high.

Enjoy!

I'm surprised your principal said that this is tied to your observation. I'm surprised because if a student does not participate at the school that I teach at, they lose credit for the day. They are "allowed" one miss but then after that, they go down a letter grade.
If a student is prepared by changing, but does not participate they still lose credit.
That's part of their responsibly, my job is discuss this with them and to remind them of this. Most of the students remember this daily objective because they want the "A" average

I have been teaching for 20+ years and I finally have a great solution. Yes, I tried the sitting out, reports, detention etc. We want our students active. I teach middle school so this is the first year they change clothes. I explain why they need to change, deodrant, among other health and fitness concerns. i have come up with a rubric I hope helps,

Grading Policy

Individual grades are based on a daily point system. Each class period is worth 10 points.

Breakdown of Points

Dress Out/Suit-up 3 points
Active Warm-up 2 points
Active Participation 2 points
Sportsmanship/Teamwork 1 point
Conduct/Behavior/Effort 1 point
Safety/Cooperation 1 point

Point Deductions

Late to class/Warm-ups
Lack of effort in warm-ups and/or class activities
First “time out” of activity
First inappropriate comments
Poor Sportsmanship
Non-Participation
Disruptive behavior
Not following safety rules
Ignoring instructions

Loss of Entire Daily Points and/or Principal Referral

Cut/Unexcused Absence/Suspension
Second “time out”/removal from activity

I agree with you 100%! I have the same issues in middle school. I have talked to the counselor about bringing back credits in middle schools. I think that could help motivate students to participate. Not sure that will happen though. For the past few years we have had changes in our grading policies for PE. We started at 10 points per day, now 5 points per day. We were told by our Dean of physical education a few years ago that we can't take points off for not dressing. We have to assign a detention for not dressing. WE implemented this and it has helped somewhat. We still have students who refuse to come, or after talking to parents we have to move the detention time. We have also had to change the way we have done things due to our principal overriding the Dean of PE. So we will see what the new year brings.

For my younger students, I have them read a Sport's Illustrated Kids magazine. When they are done they have to write a reflection on an article that interested them. It has worked out pretty well, although I don't have a lot of students who sit out of class.