Space

Obviously as a physical educator there generally isn't a lack of space. This of course is with the exception of the instructor's office/storage area. The ability to hold a class of energy filled students in such a large area provides a great challenge. Especially in the age group of the middle schoolers I deal with this J-term. During this time period students begin to manipulate teachers and bend the rules to see how far they go. Needless to say the teacher literally has to have eyes in the back of their heads here. So how is space utilized effitiantly with physical education? Well to start class and gain all the attention it's essential to organize the class into simple yet structured groups they go to each day. At Bettendorf Middle School the students get into their squads. Once sitting in the squads announcements, attendance, and lesson instructions can be given for all to hear. After this step is over it is best to take advantage of the open space. Most games will use the entire space given allowing students more freedom for exploration. It is hard to monitor all of the students in such a large space but with the ability to maintain protocols to follow and keeping track of the usual suspects the task doesn't seem so overbearing. Sadly, these students aren't as fantastic as the teacher hopes and eventually with the large space a student or two will go missing at any given time, they might not even be noticed getting back to class ten minutes later. Another disadvantage of such an open area is the tendency to continue playing after the whistle. By being farther from the teacher it somehow makes students think they don't apply to these rules. Go figure. But with being in physical education having a large space is benefitial as well so the practice of a skill wouldn't be hindered by cramming everyone into a small classroom. For safety reasons it helps to have a lot more room when teaching floor hockey. Space also challenges the teacher to impliment a structured lesson because should something in the lesson flop, it is easy to change gears with all the students at one time. Space in physical education is a tricky object to work with for it can greatly help the lesson if used properly but it can also quickly render a teacher mad if underestimated.

Teachers are like Mirrors

I was surprised to watch the video more as a public service announcement opposed to what I imagined, some do gooder standing in front of a camera telling you why you are to blame for what education has become. I was really impressed by this very simplistic, yet incredibly accurate, video. I think that reading the text rather than listening to a speech really makes you reflect on the message presented. So, in turn I need to discuss this message. I agree completely with the presentation. I have seen many instances of how different upbringings foster towards different attitudes towards life. What the student's life is like at home no one will ever pinpoint exactly, or have the ability to change what goes on there. However, in the classrooms teachers can attempt to focus their students thoughts of themselves into more healthy views. I love the quote by Dr. Suess in that video because it instills a very powerful message of the importance of self-concept. The many aspects of one's self really does dictate the life ahead. If a child is continuously put down or ignored because he/she isn't the brightest of the students that is a stigma that will inhibit the effort put forth by the individual through the rest of their life. Depression today is becoming more and more of an issue and people can't find out why. This wouldn't be such a big problem if educators truly have compassion for their students successes and failures. Im not putting the cause of depression solely on educators, but I am stressing that they understand these young children are clay in their hands to be shaped however an educator puts forth the effort. Every day students will undergo new challenges in their lives constantly questioning self-worth and importance. No other group of people has the ability and obligation to foster this developmental time of life than educators. This is their chance to provide a loving environment for those who don't see one at home so take advantage of every second given.

Second Attempt

Seeing as the first attempt to publish my interaction blog failed I will try again.

I met a student named Gaedan during my 7th grade class who happened to provide insight so valuable to the influence family has on personal fitness. We were talking about why he, along with over half of the class, hadn't turned in his monthly fitness log (a simple form detailing any physical activity performed after school). He told me he didn't need to turn one in because he hadn't done anything fitness wise all month. Evidently this is a pattern for Gaedan. I told him how when I was a kid me and my friends literally spent every day, rain or shine, outside either biking around town or starting a pickup game of baseball or staying afterschool to play kickball, etc... This drove my folks nuts because I could have been in any number of places or friends backyards. I asked Gaedan what he usually does after school. I was shocked to hear that he gets home and raids the pantry for snacks and soda before he plops himself down infront of the Xbox to resume his marathon of videogaming. When he gets bored with that he watches any number of drama teen series on MTV for a couple of hours. If he should possibly get bored watching that he goes and talks to his friends with his instant messenger on his computer. Taken back by his response I asked him how his parents would think if they knew he acted this way while they were gone. He chuckled and informed me that his parents prefer him staying home and becoming the next Michelen Man model because they wouldnt want to worry about him getting into trouble. WHAT! I understand the world changes and parents can be concerned about certain places being rougher than others. But people, when will your kids learn for themselves? Growing up in the heart of St. Louis, me and my friends learned numerous life lessons we wouldn't have picked up had we not been tearin' up the town. For instance, I happen to be the unfortunate one to shatter a window in a pickup game of baseball. What happened? The wicked old lady came out saw me then called my dad. I could have lied to my dad and told him the lady broke it flying out of her house on her broom, or cried so he wouldnt take it out of my allowance later, but I didn't. Since I told my dad the truth about what had happened he let the embarassment teach me a lesson, along with some of my allowance to cover the window. But the most important part was he kept me there while he replaced the window. Not only did he teach me important carpetry skills, but the importance of honesty and taking responsibility for one's actions. After that I developed what most kids lack now a days, a conscience. Thanks to Gaedan I now see that individual motivation isn't going to be enough to get this couch-potato generation moving. It has to come from those closest to them so let kids be kids and quit protecting them from important lessons they must learn. Otherwise they will continue to lack respect for authority and plan their actions strictly around their benefits.

Styles of Learning

Learning in the physical education classes that I have participated in while at Bettendorf Middle School has been more limited than I had hoped for. The unit plan was well underway by the time I arrived so most students fully understood what was expected. However, there were some who found it difficult retaining the instructions for the lesson. For example, with a sizable grant from the administration the school was given heart rate monitors with digital displaying watches. In short the students strapped a monitor under their shirts and synched the watch to it so they could look down and instantly see if they have reached their target heart rate during the activity. Assisting the programming of these contraptions was in high demand with the 6th graders who were just too anxious to get going. So after showing one of the leading students in the class they took it upon themselves to show his/her peers what has to happen for it to work. Sometimes the teacher isn't always the best instructor. Once the monitors were working, the rules of the games being played were reinstated. During the game a handful of students obviously were not paying attention to the rules and had to be reminded, with some eventually sitting out to reinforce the importance of safety playing floor hockey. Teaching the rules seemed to work best when acting out a certain scenario rather than simply lecturing. Most learning in these classes seemed pretty standard without too much variety. However, a certain class did need a helping hand to comprehend. The adaptive physical education class, which happened to be my favorite, took a lot of patience and open-minded thinking to impliment the instructions. Whether it's the student with Downs, or a severely autistic student it was always providing a challenge. Teaching here it is imparative to instruct to the strength of the learning style the individual students possess. I seemed to notice a lot of visual instruction utilized here along with verbal cue words keeping the big ideas short and sweet and easy to remember. Although many think learning isn't appearent in physical education I would disagree completely because of the constant challenge of teaching new skills to kids who are to anxious to sit quietly and listen.

Meeting My Observing Teacher

It's early Friday the 4th and I am meeting my respected teacher in an hour to discuss expectations, routines and such. I am looking foward to the opportunity this upcoming Monday to begin my classroom experience.