The implication of this is that if students have a higher attitude toward physical education, they would be more motivated to learn the skills taught, become more competent in them, and may seek more physical activity (PA) opportunities outside of school to further enjoy them. The results suggested that more students had a higher positive attitude toward physical education when taught using the skill themes approach. Gosset (2015) compared 4th- and 5th-grade student attitude toward physical education within different approaches, one being the skill themes approach. In these times when youth obesity is running rampant ( McKay, 2012) and children are watching more video games than going outside to play ( Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2003), the profession needs to focus on ways to encourage children to be more active. This is not an uncommon scenario when upper elementary physical education is taught using the skill themes approach: a high percentage of students enjoying physical education class. I had fun last time with the soccer ball and I convinced my parents to bring me to a park to dribble.” When the game is finished, one question asked by the teacher is: “What similarities did you find between dribbling the basketball today, and when we used the soccer balls recently?” One child responds, “I kept the ball close to me.” “Correct!” the teacher exclaims, and continues, “Has anybody been able to practice on their own at home?” Another student says, “Yes, I did.
In this lesson they seem to be choosing to retain control, rather than attempting to push away others' balls. “Dribble Tag” is underway! You remember… the activity where everyone has their own ball and they all dribble, trying to push away another student's ball while you maintain control of yours. With the basketballs some move quickly, some a bit slower, but they all manage to keep their balls under control. A few classes ago they were dribbling soccer balls. The 9-year-old children are dribbling basketballs, moving throughout the gymnasium.