Making a Prezi!

Here's a tour through one of my highest and lowest moments in physical activity. Check it out!

Starting an e-portfolio

We thought it would be a good idea to have a digital copy of everything that goes into a portfolio. If you're interested here's a link to what I've got so far! Click Here

Target Portfolios

Today the college had a presentation of the best portfolios created by students. It was a rather small event but the materials presented were outstanding. There were about 10 students there each with their own unique and very well down binders. After getting a good look at them and picking some ideas to use for my own I complimented many of them on their hard work. Reading the instructions on paper is one thing but actually seeing the finished products was very eye opening. I'm glad I went and it will be much easier now to finish my own!

Giving Thanks at St. Mary's

This week we had the pre-k group. I was in charge of craft with another group member while the others read to the children. We had them make turkeys by tracing their hands and feet and gluing them together. They all seemed to have a lot of fun with it! For more about this week's lab look here

A Halloween of Activities!

This week we returned once again to St. Mary's for a Halloween themed day of fun. Many of the students from the college dressed up in costumes and really got the kids in the seasons spirit. We had a lot of fun and can't wait to go back for Thanksgiving! For more about the week look here.

Back to St. Mary's for sports themed week!

We returned once again to the school to work with the students. This week we all wore our favorite sports jerseys and played sport related games. The students got really involved and knew many of the players on our jerseys. We worked with the older kids this week and it was much different than working with the 1st graders. Go here for more info on how it went!

Second Trip to Saint Mary's

We went back to Saint Mary's with games ready to be taught. We had practiced them and went over them with out peers and we were ready to give it a try. We had the younger students again, around 1st grade. Things began well and kept going well until one of our games became to difficult for the students to understand. It got to the point where we just had to move on for times sake. Due to that I had to alter my game into a completely different game. It worked out fine and it was a good lesson in dealing with the unexpected.

For more check this out!

Dodgeball in PE Class

I disagree with inducting dodgeball into any kind of Hall of Shame. Dodgeball has always been one of my favorite PE activities for a variety of reasons. It's extremely active and motivates kids to move around in a unique way. If there are students who are unable to throw or catch the ball go over pointers with the whole class to not single them out but still make sure they get the knowledge. It's the way that most teachers run dodgeball that is the problem. You shouldn't just roll the balls out and say "play" without any explanation. Maybe start the first day off by teaching the students and helping them with anything they are having problems with. The biggest issue I have is when people say we shouldn't play dodgeball because of what it does to a child's psyche. That it may hurt their feelings or put them in an uncomfortable situation. Our job as PE teachers is not to shield our students from what the world is really like or be the source of their self esteem. The many perspectives of dodgeball from being the best to being the worst are no different than those the students face in the hallways or outside of school. I believe too many people are trying to get behind the "wussification" of America. Students are supposed to run around and get hurt from time to time. It's not like the game is any more dangerous than anything else. Everyone needs to learn how to deal with things like humiliation and people are just trying to make sure kids never experience any kind of negative situations anymore.
 

St. Mary's Lab 1

After observing the students in the school I learned much about what they were capable of doing. My time there was very enjoyable and look forward to returning! This was the first Lab