Teaching in Assessments

On thursday I have to teach the class for the first time. We are doing a basketball lesson on the bounce pass. We made a peer and self assessment rubric. I think this will really help me gain confidence in teaching classes. I like being able to design a lesson plan on my own and do anything I want. Hopefully I can use these same skills and rubrics for my future in teaching.

A trend that seems to be growing in the American public schools system is the banning of the long time childhood game, tag. This game not only is fun for kids to play but is a great way for the children to run and reach their targeted heart rate, a key component when exercising. With children being active at a young age they will be more prone to pursuing a more active and healthier lifestyle. With the schools trying to please the needs of one parent who thinks this game is harmful to their kids emotions rather than looking at the big picture of keeping kids active and in shape, schools are banning the game of tag because it makes a child be “it.” At this rate, the kids will be allowed to do nothing but stare at each other during recess, when they should be free to run around and play.

Assessment Strategies

Today was my first day of Assessment Strategies. I have heard really good things about Dr. Nichols so it should be a fun class. I think this class will also be very beneficial. I am excited to be able to teach the class. I have not taught a class yet so I hope I can benefit with each class activity we do.

Kick Ball

Yesterday in Movement Ed class we played kickball. It wasnt just an ordinary game of kickball. We were split up into 2 different groups. Half was the kicking team and the other half was the fielding team. The "pitcher" constantly rolled the ball, therefore everyone had to keep kicking and running around the bases. The fielding team had to catch the balls and throw them to a person standing next to a hula-hoop where all the balls were placed at once. When there were no balls in the hula-hoop to be "pitched" then the team won. Its hard to explain but I think this is a better way go about the kickball game. Everyone had to be constantly moving and everyone had fun at the same time.

Skiing

I went skiing over spring break up at Seven Springs. I didnt realize what a good work out you could get from skiing. I think it would be beneficial for physical education classes to have a piece of equiptment that imitated the skiing motion. Most kids would enjoy that and hopefully be more willing to do physical activity. Also, it would be cool if they had a monitor that looked like you were actually skiing in the mountains.

PE Uniforms

Today in my one class we talked about different school who required their students to wear uniforms for PE. Having uniforms is both good and bad. On the good side, students will always have their PE attire and kids wont have to worry about 'being up to style' on their clothes. On the bad side, students will not be allowed to express themselves and be able to choose what to wear, also some schools might not be able to afford unifroms for every student. I could go either way on the uniform topic... What does everyone else think?

Portfolio's

I had to put together a portfolio for my Introduction to Teaching class. It wasnt as hard as I thought, course we didnt have to put much information in it since we havent had many PE classes. I am hoping that some of the papers I used in it I can also put in my Electronic Portfolio. That one seems alot harder. I was never good at computer stuff so it will probably take me a while to do! Oh well...