THE IMPORTANCE OF GAME

SENSE APPROACH VIA

TEACHING IN PRIMARY PE
CLASSES
17781552
MASOUMEH KAMANDI
 WHAT IS GAME SENSE?

GAME SENSE IS AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH TO COACHING AND PHYSICAL

EDUCATION THAT PLACES THE GAME AT THE HEART OF THE SESSION. IT
ENCOURAGES THE PLAYER TO DEVELOP SKILLS IN A REALISTIC CONTEXT, TO
BECOME MORE TACTICALLY AWARE, TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS AND TO HAVE
MORE FUN LIGHT (2012).

LIGHT (2012) ALSO ARGUES THAT GAME SENSE IS A COMPREHENSIVE

APPROACH THAT DEFINES AND EXPLORES KEY CONCEPTS AND ESSENTIAL
PEDAGOGICAL THEORY (P.2).
 BENEFITS OF GAME SENSE APPROACH
WITHIN YOUR CHILDS CLASSROOM
GAME SENSE APPROACH FOCUSES ON SIGNIFICANT MODIFIED GAMES WHICH HELP
DEVELOP FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS ALONG WITH COGNITIVE SKILLS. STUDENTS
ARE THEREFORE CONSTANTLY CHALLENGED TO DEVELOP TO THEIR FULL POTENTIAL
(MANDIGO ET AL , 2007).

Game Sense Approach encourages students/players to become more tactically aware

and make improved decisions throughout the game. Students are able to develop a
comprehensive understanding of the game being played. Game Sense primarily focuses
on cognitive aspects of physical education. the game is often paused as players are
asked to reflect on their tactics.
 GAME SENSE TACTICS

GAME SENSE ALLOWS YOUR CHILD TO EXPERIENCE A VARIETY OF DIFFERENT TACTICS THAT
HELP FOCUS ON MODIFYING SPORTS THAT:

INCREASE PEER MOTIVATION

ALLOW PLAYERS TO DEVELOP TACTICAL AND STRATEGIC THINKING
DEVELOP GAME PACED SKILLS
PROMOTE PLAYERS TO DEVELOP THINKING STRATEGIES
ENGAGE PLAYERS IN BOTH MINOR AND MODIFIED GAME STRATEGIES THAT GIVES THE PLAYERS
OPPORTUNITIES TO DEVELOP THEIR SKILLS AND UNDERSTANDING A VARIETY OF TACTICS OF THE GAME
MODIFY THE RULES OF A GAME, THE EQUIPMENT/ RESOURCES OR THE PLAYING AREA AND
ENVIRONMENT.
 GAME SENSE CATEGORIES

TAKE A SNEAK PEAK IN TO OUR PE LESSONS THAT WILL INVOLVE GAME

SENSE APPROACH!

GAME SENSE APPROACH GROUP TEAM SPORTS INTO 4 AREAS:

TARGET: GOLF, CURLING, ARCHERY AND DARTS
STICKING: BASKETBALL, CRICKET AND SOFTBALL
NET AND WALL: VOLLEYBALL, BADMINTON AND SQUASH
INVASION: HOCKEY, SOCCER, FOOTBALL RUGBY
 DISCUSSION AND RATIONALE ON THE
STRENGTHS OF GAME SENSE AS AN
OVERALL TEACHING APPROACH WITH LINKS
TO THE NSW SYLLABUS
The NSW PDHPE Syllabus outlines the key learning areas that teachers/ schools are required to provide
students with regular and frequent opportunities to acquire, and apply movement skills, enhance
their creativity and aesthetic awareness and develop positive attitudes towards regular physical
activity ( Board of Studies, NSW, 2012)
Based on the NSW K-6 PDHPE Syllabus game sense is approached through the use of loco- motor skills
and manipulative skills.
Implementing game sense approach within our PE lessons will help your children to experience:
Enhance communication skills
Cognitive thinking
Inclusion
Challenges
 WHAT ARE THE STRENGTHS OF TEACHING
APPROACH TO GAME SENSE WITHIN 3K?
THE FOCUS OF THE MODEL (GAME SENSE) IS PLACING THE STUDENT OR ATHLETE IN A
GAME SITUATION WHERE TACTICS, DECISION-MAKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING ARE
CRITICAL
- WEBB & PEARSON (2012)
My teaching approach in introducing Game Sense within physical education classes
will focus on ensuring that my students / your children are able to apply skills in
games and sports that enhance their communication, cooperation and decision
making. Through the Game Sense teaching approach within my class my students are
more likely to use strategies developed and learned within our PE lessons in
stimulated situations that are relevant to real life contexts.
 REFERENCES

BOARD OF STUDIES, NSW. (2012). PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT, HEALTH AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION
(PDHPE) K-6 SYLLABUS. RETRIEVED FROM HTTP://SYLLABUS.BOS.NSW.EDU.AU/DOWNLOAD /
MANDIGO, J., BUTLER, J., & HOPPER, T. (2007). WHAT IS TEACHING GAMES FOR UNDERSTANDING?
A CANADIAN PERSPECTIVE. PHYSICAL & HEALTH EDUCATION JOURNAL, 73(2), 14.
LIGHT, R. (2012). GAME SENSE: PEDAGOGY FOR PERFORMANCE, PARTICIPATION AND ENJOYMENT.
ROUTLEDGE.
WEBB, P., & PEARSON, P. (2012). CREATIVE UNIT AND LESSON PLANNING THROUGH A
THEMATIC/INTEGRATED APPROACH TO TEACHING GAMES FOR UNDERSTANDING (TGFU).NEW
ZEALAND PHYSICAL EDUCATOR,45(3), 17.