In the sample units, students explore, revisit and apply the concepts of Sending and Receiving in different ways, contexts and environments. The strategies for developing communication skills described below may be used in each sample unit and in most other physical education units as well. They not only contribute to the development of language, but also provide opportunities for students to think about their movement before, while and after doing it. This could be spontaneous, unplanned talk, or it could be directed, assigned talk. For example, the observers could be assigned specific elements of movement to talk about.
Students talk about the movement of others.
After observing movement, students talk about specific aspects of the movement that have been assigned by the teacher or that they have chosen themselves. This might include talk about the shapes of the body, the pathways, what they liked or found interesting, the refinement cues, etc. Students talk about their own movement-while they do it. For example, when students are moving to music, talking aloud might cause them to lose track of the beat or not hear the music. In situations such as these, students can be asked to whisper the words.