Parkour in Physical Education

Parkour SignTeaching parkour is a great way to get students active with their surroundings inside or outside, and to get them excited about taking safe risks and enjoying movement. Below are parkour learning targets, a sample workout, and a rubric/assessment. They can be used as a lesson, a unit, or a single day devoted to purely fitness. One of the best parts of parkour is that you can use your gym’s wrestling room or outside areas. It’s a versatile activity and a fun way for students to get their CREATIVE on! 

What is Parkour?

  • Parkour is an art of movement in which you train the body and mind to overcome obstacles.
  • It emphasizes strength, flexibility, balance, body control, creativity, fluidiyt, discipline, and precision.
  • Parkour movements include running, jumping, vaulting, climbing, balancing, and crawling.
  • Parkour training focuses on safety, responsibility, overcoming fear, and self-improvement.
    Source: Apex Movement

Parkour Student Learning Targets

​I use four learning targets with my students throughout our Parkour unit and use a rubric to assess them on each.

  1. I can show body control by the way I use agility on the course. Agility is the ability to change directions quickly.
  2. I can show body control on the course by the way I maintain my balance.
  3. I can show power by the way I jump vertically.
  4. I can show coordination and use various parts of my body by the way I run, vault, climb and roll.

Once we’ve established and reviewed the learning targets, we move into the activity (sample below).

The Parkour Workout

Girl walking balance beamWhen teaching Parkour to my students, I first introduce various movements and have them practice each in 2-minute circuits. Next, I combine the circuits into a workout. Finally, I ask students to work in small groups to develop a parkour course or workout.

  • 2-Minute Circuits for Practice
    • Jumps
    • Drop and Roll
    • Vaults
    • Vertical Wall Runs
    • Balance
    • Hand Stands and Wall Stands
  • Combine the circuits to create a workout
    • Students move through on their own
  • Design A Course
    • Have students work with a small group to develop a parkour course
    • Use the equipment provided without moving

Upon completion of the lesson, I use the below rubric to assess students on the learning targets as defined above.

Parkour Standards-Based Rubric/Assessment

7-8

The student recalls and applies a range of skill and techniques, recalls and applies a range of strategy, and recalls and applies information to perform at a high level.

5-6

The student recalls and applies skill and techniques, recalls and applies strategy, and applies information to perform effectively.

3-4

The student recalls skill and techniques, recalls strategy, and applies information to perform.

0-2

The student rarely/never shows skill or techniques, does not show strategy, and rarely/never works for achieve success.

Need additional resources? The Lets Parkour PRO app (available on iTunes® for $1.99) is a great resource for teaching parkour in PE. The app features 112 elements or movements with a detailed lesson and video of each.

 

 

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