Introduction to Kinesiology — Substitute Lesson Plan

High School Physical Education (~45 minutes)

Objective

Students will be able to:

• Explain that kinesiology is a broad academic discipline, not just "sports and exercise."
• Identify multiple career paths connected to the study of kinesiology (e.g., exercise physiologist, prosthetist, sports medicine, teaching, coaching, athletic trainers).
• Describe the range of topics covered within the field of kinesiology, based on the chapters of the resource.

Materials

• Printed or projected copies of the "Introduction to Kinesiology" resource (Table of Contents and Chapter 1 excerpt)
• Whiteboard or chart paper and markers
• Notebook paper or exit ticket slips for each student

Warm-up (~5 min)

1. Write this question on the board: "When you hear the word 'kinesiology,' what do you picture?"
2. Have students jot down 1–2 words or a short phrase on paper (no discussion yet).
3. Call on 3–4 volunteers to share their answers aloud. Write their responses on the board without commenting on whether they're right or wrong — this list will be revisited later.

Main Activity (~25 min)

1. Read aloud the Chapter 1 opening passage together as a class (the paragraph beginning "Have you ever thought that kinesiology was solely about sports and exercise?").
2. As a class, list on the board the career paths mentioned in the passage:
3. Exercise physiologist
4. Prosthetist
5. Sports medicine
6. Teaching
7. Coaching
8. Athletic trainers
9. Discuss briefly: "Notice how none of these are just 'being an athlete.' What does this tell us about the field of kinesiology?" Guide students to see that kinesiology connects to many professions.
10. Distribute or display the Table of Contents of the resource. Have students look at the chapter titles (Chapter 1 through Chapter 10).
11. In pairs or small groups, have students skim the Table of Contents and pick three chapter titles that sound interesting or surprising to them (e.g., Philosophy, History, Sociology, Psychology, Motor Behavior, Biomechanics, Exercise Physiology, Becoming a Professional, Careers).
12. Have each pair share one chapter they picked and guess (based only on the title) what that chapter might cover.
13. Wrap the activity by pointing back to the Chapter 1 Objectives listed in the resource:
14. Discuss the discipline of kinesiology and its relationship to physical activity.
15. Discuss physical activity and its impact on kinesiology.
16. Help students understand what a profession and career pathways are.

Ask: "Based on today's reading, how would you now answer these three objectives in your own words?"

Wrap-up / Exit Ticket (~10 min)

Have students answer the following on a slip of paper to turn in:

1. Name two career paths connected to kinesiology mentioned in the reading.
2. In one sentence, explain why kinesiology is more than just "sports and exercise."
3. Pick one chapter title from the Table of Contents you'd like to learn more about, and explain why.

Collect exit tickets before students leave.

If Time Remains

Revisit the list of words/phrases students wrote on the board during the warm-up. As a class, discuss: "Now that we've looked at the Table of Contents and career paths, would you add or change anything on this list?" Add any new ideas to the board.