The Sommersaults

Yesterday, the Sommersaults made their first video of the semester.  They lip synced to Taio Cruz's Dynamite performed by Kids Bop.  I hope everyone enjoys it!

Virtus Training Program

Last week Sister Harriet Hamilton came in to our class and showed us two videos about sexual abuse/harassment through the Virtus training program.  The videos had heartbreaking stories about victims, their experiences and had interviews with those who committed the horrific crimes.
As future teachers we can never learn too early on how to protect our students, our selves and our fellow faculty in any form of harassment.  It sickened me hearing how the sex offenders spoke so nonchalantly about the matter.  We were informed that one of the abusers said that he had to go through seven years of treatment under the impression that he will be cured from his desire or need to sexual abuse children.  The man was asked after completing the course if he had the opportunity to be around children again would he be able to conduct himself in a professional manner and he said no.  It is so true because no program can truly stop someone from committing an act that they truly desire.  It really upsets me to know that there are so many children out there that have been abused and have not spoken about it.  I want my future students to know that if something is bothering them that they can talk to their parents, me as their teacher, a social worker in the school, or to call the child abuse hotline.  There are so many resources available that some people many not know exist.  After going through this program really opens my eyes on how to protect my students and myself.  I have to remain professional twenty-four seven and catch the warning signs as early as possible and acting upon my instincts if necessary.
There has been many different cases regarding sexual harassment in the media lately and one in particular is the case at Penn State.  Former Penn State football assistant coach Jerry Sandusky was arrested and charged with over forty counts of sex crimes against young boys.  There is no one else to blame except for Sandusky for these heart wrenching stories.  Jo Paterno was to blame for a lot of this because he was informed about this once before.  In the state of Pennsylvania he was not mandated by law to report these cases.  Although if his child was apart of the many victimized, I believe he would feel that the person first notified should have contacted police or the child abuse hotline.  Either way I feel that Jo Paterno was wrong in not following up on this because he is a role model to many aspiring football players and fans.  Many people at Penn State should have been more involved in the programs to protect the children coming and I feel that this could have been stopped even if Jo Paterno did not do anything about it.  But there is no one more to blame than Jerry Sandusky and he should be severely punished for hurting these boys in more ways than can be imagined.  I cant even imagine finding out that information and keeping it to myself.  It is just mind boggling!
For more information on the Virtus program click here.

Screenr

I watched the video through screenr on Wikispaces and it really helped me a lot.  I was pretty confused at first on how to publish my lab but the help of the step by step video made it so much easier.  I really am enjoying blogging and completing my labs.  I wish I had more to do because I keep finding myself on my blog editing it and changing its colors.  I really like being able to do this for class.  I never have done anything like this before.

Learning Through The Physical

After reading chapter one I have received a better understanding of what "learning through the physical" means and how physical activity impacts affective growth.  According to Developmental Physical Education for All Children by David L. Gallahue and Frances C. Donnelly the learning-through-movement aim of physical education is based on the fact that effective physical education can positively influence both the cognitive and affective development of children.  Cognitive learning is demonstrated by skills through comprehending information, organizing ideas, and evaluating actions.  Physical activity impacts affective growth through the movement experiences and patterns that children engage in.  Affective learning is demonstrated by behaviors indicating attitudes of awareness, interest, attention, concern and ability to listen and respond to others.  It is also a social-emotional development.  When children understand that they can control themselves that is when their is an enhanced sense of self and affective growth.

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The First Day!

This week was the first time we went to St. Mary's to interact with the students.  I had so much fun playing with them and seeing what some of their interests are.  It enabled me to take some mental notes on what I should incorporate when I have to plan activities for them.  At first we jumped right in with the TA's to help with the parachute games which was a lot of fun.  Then we broke up into different groups to see the school and try to connect with students.  It was interesting to see how well they responded to me.  I helped swing the jump rope in the gymnasium for a few students and I couldn't believe how well they were doing it at such a young age! I also was building some lego structures with some students in the pre-k room and played dinosaurs extinct with some other students in the cafeteria.  It is imperative to be fully prepared in any situation because you will never know if you have enough space for the students to participate in physical activity.  I cannot wait to go back next week and have something prepared instead of just observing!
Click here for lab one