Why I *HATE* when teachers us Phys Ed as punishment

Image courtesy of Ed Yourdon (Some Right Reserved)

One of my biggest pet peeves in schools that I see regularly is teachers using physical education classes as a punishment (or reward).  Teachers take away phys ed class (or a portion of the class) and make them sit on the sidelines, or maybe stay in the classroom doing other work.
There are a few specific issues I have with phys ed as a specific reward or punishment.

1 - students are usually not physically active for the 30-60 minutes per day recommended by Participaction. If teachers take away a 30-45 minute phys ed class they are not helping their students become healthy, active children that will grow into healthy, active adults.

2 - When we use running laps as a punishment for bad behaviour students will start to hate going to phys ed class, and it might turn them off physical activity all together.  Being physically active should be an enjoyable lifestyle choice, and not a chore or punishment.

3 - Physical education is a curriculum subject the same as math, science, language arts, etc.  I have never seen a teacher threaten to take away math or science if students are not listening or are misbehaving.  There are reasons for all subject areas to be in the curriculum and I don't think it's appropriate for a teacher to omit one subject area because they are using it for classroom management.