Drum roll, please. Here is a summary of some of the most popular blog posts from 2023. From the most popular to the fastest read to a perennial favorite and popular guest posts, here are five posts to which you should reintroduce yourself.

Most Popular Post of 2023: Dimensions of Wellness by Andy Milne.

Written in 2019, this is me at my most creative. Introducing the “10 Dimensions of Wellness” from Sarah Benes and Holly Alperin, the post shares how I engage students with a captivating activity. Students analyze the wellness of a fictional student through card-dealing, injecting an element of randomness that keeps the lesson exciting. Their positive feedback highlights its success, with students even crafting backstories for their fictional counterparts.

What sets this post apart is its practicality. Not only is it engaging, but it seamlessly ties into goal-setting lessons, making it a valuable, real-world teaching tool. For educators seeking innovative approaches to wellness education, this post is a must-read. It includes downloadable resources, including the card set and a personalized Coloring Wheel, provide practical tools for implementation. Inspired by success stories like Sarah Gietschier-Hartman’s, this post showcases the transformative power of interactive teaching methods in promoting holistic student well-being.

Most Popular Post Written in 2023: #OneWord to Rule Them All: A Fresh Take on New Year’s Resolutions by Andy Milne.

In this, now annual post, I challenge the conventional New Year’s resolutions and introduce the potent #OneWord concept. Unlike resolutions, which often result in disappointment, a #OneWord serves as a gentle guide toward self-improvement. I suggest identifying a word that, when applied universally, can yield the most positive changes in one’s life, emphasizing its flexibility and effectiveness.

The post shares tips for success, including keeping the word visible in daily life, turning it into phone wallpapers or framed reminders. Readers can share their chosen #OneWord through a Google Form, receiving personalized images as a reminder of their commitment.

This post is essential for those seeking a more impactful and sustainable approach to personal growth in the coming year. Look out for 2024’s update to this post, that you can use in your personal life AND with students in the classroom.

Most Popular Guest Post in 2023: Addiction: the Highs and Lows by Shelby Hosmer.

In this guest post by Shelby Hosmer, discover an innovative method to teach health as she introduces “Addiction: The Highs and the Lows.” Designed for students of all ages, this board game explores the complexities of drug use, self-medication, detoxification, and overdose.

Inspired by a history teacher’s creative lessons, Shelby’s game engages students in a dice-driven journey through the ups and downs of substance abuse. With a game board incorporating essential knowledge and “Addiction Story” cards detailing various scenarios, students actively participate in discussions about the consequences of their character’s choices.

The game’s unique strength lies in the rich post-game dialogue, where students showcase a solid understanding of addiction’s nuances. Shelby generously shares editable materials, emphasizing collaboration among educators.

Most Popular #Microblog Post of 2023: Lessons from Ted Lasso: 5 Lasso-isms We Can Practice in Relationship Building by Jen Heebink.

What a great year Jen Heebink has had! In her very popular microblog she reflects on the profound influence of the TV show “Ted Lasso” on her teaching and life. Jen shares key Lasso-isms that have become guiding principles in her teaching journey.

“Be curious, not judgmental”: Inspired by Ted Lasso’s advice, Jen emphasizes the importance of asking questions before forming conclusions. She recounts a powerful moment when curiosity unveiled a student’s personal struggles, reinforcing the idea that students may carry more than meets the eye.

“Be a goldfish”: Jen embraces Lasso’s encouragement to forget quickly, move on, and find happiness, a mantra particularly valuable in navigating daily challenges and setbacks. The goal is to advocate without complaining and focus on what truly matters.

“I believe in hope. Believe in ‘Believe'”: Jen shares the impact of the #physed community’s resilience during the pandemic, highlighting the strength found in hope and the collective belief in the significance of teaching. The experience reinforced her conviction in hope as a driving force.

“Just listen to your gut…”: Jen reflects on the power of intuition and listening to one’s heart when making decisions. Drawing from personal experiences, she credits these instincts for the success of her inclusive Unified PE class.

“I’m a work in progmess”: Jen embraces the idea that everyone is a work in progress, beautifully capturing the essence of Ted Lasso’s journey outside of coaching. Despite facing challenges and messy situations, progress is continuous.

Fastest Read Blog Post of 2023: Teaching Physical Education with Purpose: Embracing the Meaningful PE Approach by Andy Milne.

Boy, did this post blow up! I’m predicting that it will be the most popular post of next year too.

In the fastest growing post of 2023 I write about how I implemented the Meaningful PE approach in my Lifetime Activities elective. Focusing on golf and Ultimate Frisbee units, I intentionally integrated key features such as social interaction, challenge, fun, motor competence, personally relevant learning, and delight into my lesson plans.

During the golf unit, I emphasized personal performance goals and self-reflection, while in the Ultimate unit, the spotlight was on social interaction, fostering community building from the outset. To address concerns about team selection, I adopted a democratic approach, balancing friendship and ensuring an equitable distribution of abilities.

Throughout the units, I leveraged cooperative learning strategies, student-led warm-ups, and jigsaw learning to enhance the learning experience. Specific attention was given to developing Ultimate skills, with a focus on leadership and communication.

The peak of this journey occurred during the final Ultimate Frisbee game, where my students, joyous and immersed, continued playing beyond the typical end of the lesson without realizing it. The sense of delight, a crucial element of Meaningful PE, created a state of flow. The lesson concluded with thoughtful reflections from students, highlighting improved communication, collaboration, and a profound sense of accomplishment. Look out for more Meaningful PE posts next year!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to the continued success of the slowchathealth blog site. If you read, shared, or wrote a blog post, you have played a role in keeping this site going. If you ever have a desire to share your thoughts, a popular resource, or a reflection on something that worked with your students, please do not hesitate to get in touch!