Do you want your students to deeply engage in a new skill? Or want to encourage them to work harder and longer? Try adding a “talent show” portion to your PE class. I tried this last week with fun results. I set out jump ropes and hula hoops in the gym. I told my 3rd and 4th graders that I wanted them to become an expert at one trick. They were to choose a piece of equipment and practice with it for about 18 minutes. Their trick could be on their own or with a partner. I saved about 10 minutes at the end of class for a “talent show”. At talent show time I had them sit on the floor with hands off equipment. We used the stage and had volunteers come up one or two at a time and show their trick. Almost everyone volunteered. We had some really fun and creative tricks! The students loved showing their stuff and really worked hard during class time. It also stopped the constant stream of kids trying to get me to come watch them during class. You could try this with other types of equipment too. Basketball dribbling tricks, tossing and catching tricks, etc.