The Art of Teaching in the Rain

While many PE teachers can rely on a significant amount of sun for outdoor activities, most will also encounter weather that forces them to change their plans. If unaccounted for, inclement weather can wreak havoc on a PE teacher’s curriculum, throwing significant portions of the year into disarray. However, when anticipated and planned for, weather patterns do not have to interrupt the flow of instruction, and can even become a teaching tool.

A Rainy Day Does Not Automatically Require Rainy Day Games

Perhaps the most insidious way in which nature disrupts a teacher's plans is the odd day of rough weather, the classic example being the rainy day. While class time spent playing heads up, seven up is not going to bring your year's plan crashing down, enough rainy days (or their equivalents: extreme cold, high heat, etc.) over the course of a month can put your curriculum significantly out of whack. A good way to prevent this is to be prepared with indoor PE games and lessons that continue the learning that began outdoors.

This article details a number of excellent ways physical activity can be brought indoors when necessary. Remember that physical education is not only about running, jumping, and playing sports; it is also about dexterity, flexibility, and precision. Here is an excellent collection of indoor PE games and activities that exercise these skills.

Plan for Weather Disruptions

Almost every PE teacher will have to deal with uncooperative weather at some point in the year, be it extreme cold, heat, or rain/snow. Knowing the climate in which you are teaching and understanding weather patterns will help you plan your curriculum effectively. If you have access to an indoor facility dedicated to PE, this makes life a lot easier, but even if you don't, a little planning will still pay off.

Research weather trends from previous years and keep on top of current forecasts. Estimate when you will need indoor activities or units and how long they will need to run. Obviously, it's impossible to be exact, but the more units and lessons you have prepared, the easier it will be to transition indoors. Lastly, do not miss out on prime outdoor time. If you have a gym and want to play volleyball in it, save this unit for your indoor time, and take advantage of fair weather while it lasts!

Using Weather as a Teaching Tool

What weather policies and precautions need to be observed at your school? Every campus has a different philosophy when it comes to students and the weather. Maybe your pupils are allowed to play in the rain and mud, the snow, or high heat. If you are going to conduct a class during rough weather, give your class the necessary safety information. 

If you teach in areas prone to high heat, lessons that teach students about hydration and the effects of prolonged exposure to heat can be effective. There are also resources such as this lesson, which give real-life examples of weather related health risks and teach a proactive approach to avoiding them. If your young athletes are going to be exercising in rain and mud, make sure they are staying warm or can get to a warm place if needed. If they are going to be in the snow or freezing temperatures, make sure they are staying dry. This science lesson could easily be adapted to teach students about the importance of keeping warm in cold weather.

Staying Safe in All Conditions

Above all, make certain that you are fully trained and capable of responding to a weather-related injury. If your class is going to be conducted in high heat, know the signs of heat stroke and how to prevent and treat it. If you are in cold or wet conditions, know how to spot a student whose body temperature is too low. Take the time to make your own judgment call about the risks posed to your class by the weather and make sure your young athletes are safe.

Whether you are going to be staying indoors or toughing it out on the field, make certain you are properly prepared and that your students are educated on the specific conditions they will be facing.