Speaking of crazy things in US PE classes, if you learned to Square Dance, it was because Henry Ford was a racist who was afraid of Jazz.
That might be why it was added to the curriculum at first, but that’s certainly not why it stayed, nor why we did it at my school. It’s a pretty fun activity too, so a good use of that PE time.
There’s usually a dance section included in PE instruction, mostly to break up hard physical activity snd allow kids to have fun. The type of dancing depends on the school and the state, we did salsa dancing in Florida.
“Allow the kids to have fun”
Should have told that to my PE teacher in grade school. I’ve never been good at dancing, and I got pulled aside multiple times in front of the class because I just couldn’t follow some of the dances we were supposed to do. These weren’t for competitions or anything, just as an activity.
That’s when I learned that not all bullies are children.
I’m over 60, growing up in SoCal we had Square Dancing and the Maypole but also the Mexican Hat Dance, plus Tinikling, the Filipino one with two poles. Oh, and I think a bit of Hula.
(Later as a teacher I taught my 2nd graders some Russian dancing I had learned from my ballet teacher, because little kids are bouncy and kicky and we could do it inside when it rained.)
We did square dancing, but I’m from Texas, so our families joined the hoedown. I was so proud of my bolo, fond memories.
And I don’t think it was part of the curriculum, I think they were just throwing a party for graduation or something. It’s been years, and this was when I was little, in elementary school.
I still have my presidential physical fitness award. I’m old, mine is signed by Nixon. It’s a very official looking certificate with a patch that I put under the glass in the frame. Back when I used to hang my work awards on my office wall, I used to have that one in with them. Most people didn’t ever notice, but every once in a while someone would be looking at them and I could always see the exact moment they realized what it was.
Is that the same flex as the “I ate a grilled-cheese in Woolworth’s” badge of honour?
Did you know all of those sit and reach boxes were manufactured by Halliburton? Follow the money…
I remember doing the presidential fitness tests; but my school didn’t have any equipment for it… My school didn’t even fund a rich asshole?! We just did it for funsies?!
I had to impress Bill Clinton. I failed to do so, so he came to my house to call me a loser.
Before going to the comments section, I was like “wtf is this post?”
After reading a few comments, I’m fully bewildered. What the fuck is up with your crazy country?
