Decisions! Decisions!

I was a member of the Board of Education and I was apart of the group that had to really make sure that we chose the most prepared group that was ready to respond to any situation we may have handed them.  We listened to the three groups debate and had them prepare questions for one another to battle out to see which sports/skills would be most suitable/important for the students.  I thought that the individual skills group did a very good job because I feel that every student should learn the fundamentals of where it all begins in stead of jumping right into a sport.  Everyone should be exposed to different environments and learn how to adapt to different tasks.  As the debate was being broadcasted live I saw numerous people tweeting in response to our debate.  Some of the responses/questions they asked really helped us as the Board of Ed members to decide which presentation would help our students further their physically active life because at our school this is only the beginning.  The final decision made was to the lifetime sports/skills and locomotor skills groups. We as the Board of Ed felt that both groups did a really nice job presenting their arguments and had good points to prove that their group was very important to the wellbeing of the students.  We felt that these groups could collaborate together and create a way that they will work together to incorporate both aspects of these skills.  I would also like to thank the Sticks and Sports group because even though we did not choose them I felt that they still did put up good points and we could possibly use their games in the future.   Watch the debate now!
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Hey St. Mary's! How Do You Do?

My past trip to St. Mary's my group and I were special projects so we had to organize and take inventory on all of the equipment in both of the closets. We also took pictures of every piece of equipment so we could label the boxes accordingly so finding a specific item would be easier for everyone. Next we brain stormed on what we think the bulletin board should be and I thought that we could make a collage of different locomotor movements/lifelong skills and title it something like "St. Mary's Leap Toward Physical Change." After we played with some of the students in the gym for about twenty minutes and then the Sommersaults brought everyone together for a game/song/cheer. We played a game called "Have You Ever?" and if the question applied to you then you would find a new place in the circle and whoever did not find a spot would be the person in the middle to lead the next have you ever question. Then Ryan led the Baby Shark song and everyone was involved in the song. It was a lot of fun plus Professor Yang filmed it so I am eager to see everyone participating. Finally I ended the day with a cheer I learned from my High Schools Cheer Leading squad. It is called the circle cheer. You begin the cheer by saying "Hey St. Mary's! How do you do? The Sommersaults team has got a boogie for you! Then after that I would lead the group by saying "Were gunna turn around, touch the ground, shake our booties, and get on down!" We repeated the cheer twice so everyone could understand and have fun with it. I was a little bit nervous at first but in order for it to work you have to be confident and cheerful. Then I had everyone gather into the middle, put our hands together, and cheer St. Mary's on three. I would say that the day was a success and I had a lot of fun interacting with the students. I love going there and I am eager to return! Check out lab three!

Staying Fit With Dragon City

Maintaining a physically active lifestyle is my new years resolution.  My team and I help influence each other to keep going and not to give up on any work out.  This support really motivates me to want to keep pushing my self and working hard.  I think that I should be voted for because its not about how far you run or what you eat, its about the fact that I am trying to do something on top of my conditioning in season, I have the mental toughness to keep myself motivated, and the ability to keep my self going.

Is This A Hall Of Shame Game? Simon Says NO!

The ever so famous Simon Says has been considered to be under the PE Hall Of Shame Games.  Personally if you adapt the game to be more physically active it can be just as effective as any tag or game with physical activity.  No you may not need a B.S. in PE but having that backround will enable you to incorporate locomotor movements into the activity.  I can remember playing this game in elementary/middle school but we did not incorporate these movements so everyone was stationary and would complain to play tag or kickball.  If I were the instructor I would say Simon Says Squat and sing the national anthem the students will be having to use multiple parts of their brain to perform both activities.  I could have the students lead the class by using only skip, run, hop, horizontal jump, gallop, leap, and fast walk.  This activity can be very effective for the students.  You could even have the students solve riddles because it really makes the students think and concentrate.  If you want to make it even more challenging you can incorporate topics that are being discussed in the classroom such as name the Presidents or solve a multiplication problem.  There are many modifications that you can do to this game to make it more challenging for the students but it will also be fun!

Make sure to check out:
NASPE
PE Learning Standards
Hall of Shame Games

Cupids Path to Valentines

I have to admit I was pretty nervous walking into Saint Mary's because I never had the opportunity to practice teaching my game during our lab because we did not have enough time.  I practiced saying my instructions out loud to myself, peers, and on the phone with my family to get all the stutters out.  Even though I practiced I was still nervous to teach the students.  I called everyone in and most were hesitant to listen at first because they wanted to go on the other side of the gym to do whatever they wanted because Dave's game did not run as smoothly as we all would have hoped.  I assured them that my game would be just as fun as their's and we can even play their game after.  I explained how we were going to weave in and out of the obstacles in Cupid's path to collect our Valentines Day hearts.  I asked Suzy to help me demonstrate the game so everyone can understand.  I had everyone give me a thumbs up to show that they are ready to start.  I separated the students into two groups and had them work on their individual skills on my cue to either hop, skip, or gallop.  All of the students seemed pretty interested in my game and were laughing and having fun.  One student in my group did not know how to skip so I taught him; he caught on pretty quick.  I was proud of myself because my directions and the tone of my voice had the students intrigued, quiet, and willing to follow instructions.  I spoke loud and confident over the music playing and I proved to myself that I am able to do this without second guessing.  Once the game was complete everyone came together and was willing to pay attention to Ryan's game.  We all participated together in skipping, hopping, running, walking, and galloping while the music was playing and when it stopped we all had to get into a hoop with someone else and ask "Will you be my friend?" and shake hands.  It was a good ice breaker activity for those who may not know each other and it could also be used for an opening activity.  I was proud of myself and my group members for working together and making our gym games as fun as we possibly could.  We learned from our mistakes and we now know what we individually need to fix and how to help each other with any errors we may have picked up on.  After we followed the students we were assigned to for the day down to the cafeteria for some snacks.  We all sat together and talked about our favorite animals and how fun the game Mouse Trap is.  We then moved over to the next table and played Seven Up.  We basically had to have our heads down on a table with our thumbs up and those who are "it" go around and push the thumbs down of seven people.  Then those who had there thumbs pushed down had to guess who touched them.  My thumb was never pressed down so I was kind of disappointed but it was just one game.  Then we moved upstairs to go out side and play on the playground for a bit.  I played "Birds" with a few girls.  We had to collect some sticks, leaves, and rocks and cook them so that they would be good enough for the baby birds.  We had specific areas for where the kitchen, living room, and bedroom goes for them. Then I had the girls join me with a few other students and play no tag back tag.  We ran around just tagging some students even if they weren't playing to get them to join in and most of them did.  Then we moved back into the gym and played with everyone whether it was basketball, jump rope, or hand ball which is a combination of basketball/soccer.  More and more students/TA's joined in on the hand ball game and it was a big competition.  One of the Saint Mary's students on the other team asked me "Do you have game?!" and I responded yes and he takes the ball and shoots in the basket and scores.  I did not know how to respond to that because I was clearly "owned" as he said.  I played in that game for the remainder of the time at St Mary's until one of our  final activities for the day which was Aerobic Walk Tag.  Then we all sang/danced to "Were Going To Have A Party" and concluded with a Saint Mary's Cheer.  The day was a success and I am eager to go back next time to bring new games to the table for the students!
Click here for lab two

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.