Task Variations

During Wednesdays class we reviewed some teaching techniques and tools. We first did some Rebus puzzles to get the ball rolling. The puzzles were fun and and where an interesting way to start off. This little activity really help shape the tone of lecture and the way it was received.  Needless to say, physical education is just about teaching physical active but developing the whole person. This activity will be something that I store in my bag of trick for later use in the classroom. 
We also took a look at what intratask variation is and how it can be used. If a single student is able to perform the task it would be appropriate to increase the difficulty of the task for them. For example, in jump roping activities if one student gets the activity you might ask them to see if they can perform a more complex activity. Conversely if the task is too challenging you might want to simplify the task at first to create successful experience that they can build upon. There are numerous ways to alter task difficulty that are relativity easy to accomplish. Changing the environment (space or equipment, open or closed skill), or changing the number of players, time requirements or skill movements. It is important to keep all students fully engaged within their individual levels of development.

Benefits of Scaffolding and Pinpointing

On Monday's class we completed Lab B. There were some good things that came out of this class. The activities that we did today where more complex, however they were taught with in a way that made they ease to accomplish. It is really important to simplify thing where you can, especially at the beginning stages of learning. Also there was a common theme between lesson to pinpoint students and have them show off they 'stuff". This is good for a number of reasons. It reestablishes the correct form and and develops individual self-accomplishment/self efficacy. Additional an opportunity presented itself were scaffolding was extremely helping in teaching the task, as in the case of Stephanie lesson where she scaffold on Dan's lesson. This teaching technique really help understand the task. On another note I really liked the progression of Dave's lesson. Everything (cues, demonstration, lead up progression) was well thought-out and this came across effectively.  Some of the hooks were motivational which help create an certain climate. Pretty much up to this point student have been cooperative. However there was a handful is students who acting out. This was done intentionally to help teacher not only improve their  ability to manage and monitor their class. Basically more really to life. It is important to be able to keep everyone on task while simultaneously keeping your eye on everyone and everything that is happening in your class.

Learning from Students Teaching Their Jump Rope Activity

Wednesday’s class marked the start of Lab B. A few students taught their jump rope activity and already the learning can be witness, as there were many positive teaching components were present in their lessons. A few things that stood out such as having a really appropriate hook, as Trisha did: "Don’t step on the crack or you’ll break your mothers back". It was fitting and highly supported teaching the movements involved in her activity. Also, Justin used a student to help demonstrate which just transformed the classroom environment. It was impressive to see the transition and the benefits of this student involved. My professor did mention that in this situation you would be best have both a boy and girl demonstrate, as to not exclude, but to have both genders represented. Eric did a great job in his ability to push on when he experienced an equipment malfunction. Unfortunately, these sorts of mishaps will occur and as an instructor you need to also be prepared to improvise your lesson accordingly. Everyone one gave feedback that was congruent with their teaching cues to both reinforce what they taught and help students understand exactly what is except of them; this sort of feedback is necessary to solidify the learning process. Also, another thing that I think was especially important was simplify the task. The simpler the task is presented, the easier it is for student to grasp and respectively will have a higher success rate of task performance. All in all there were some very good teaching/learning experiences in the class.

Shot Gun

During Monday's class we played Shot Gun!. It an interesting way to teach the key components of being an effective teacher while keeping us activity. Basically we paired up and each group was responsible for a critical element of teaching ie. introduction, task and cues, demonstration, feedback, safety, closure. It was a good experience, as it solidification teach elements. Although I have a better understanding of the important of each components  I find that my public speaking skills are still very weak. I'm worried that this program will get the best of me because I can speak well in front of others. As the anxiety spikes and my mind seemly goes blank. I need to find way to overcome of my nervous. If you have any suggest please let me know.

Learning to Jump Rope

Yes, we all know how to jump rope but as I've mentioned in previous blogs our class has been experimenting with different jump rope activities. Our next teaching Lab will require each of us to teach the entire class a new jump roping skill. In class on Friday we had some time to practice the skill that we will be teaching in the next week or so. More importantly we got the opportunity to talk to and get feedback from the TA's, which I found to be very helpful. Got some good tips from Danielle and the rest of the crew. Thanks much guys! Got some ideas on how to get student to line up in a way that I'll be able to see them all, as well as keep them all safe. It was also pointed out that if during my lesson I'm going to ask students to start with their right foot it would probably be best if I started with my left, so they'll have an easier time understanding the movements. Furthermore since the activity that I have to teach is a bit complex if might be best to have students perform the footwork before using the jump rope to make sure they first understand the movements. Also, I want to try and give students positive reinforcement followed up instructional feedback and than encouragement. All in all I think I gained some useful tools to that I'll be able to use it this teaching lab and in my PE career.

Jump Roping Day 2

We had another fun class: jumping rope. We worked in groups to make a new routine. We were encouraged to be as creative as possible and try to include some skills that we saw in this You Tube video from last class. Check out these kiddos, they’re quite impressive:



Although none of the groups in class looked this good, we ALL IMPROVED. It was fun to see just how creative the class was. I also felt like I was able to contribute to my group. Jump Rope is great for children of all ages. Through this experience I've developed more of an appreciation for what jump roping can offer students. It certainly is a cardiovascular workout. If you don't believe me give it a try. You'll break a sweat in under a minute. Awesome right!. Furthermore jump rope reinforces one of the basic locomotor movements: jumping. In addition reinforcing jumping it promotes integrated coordination and can be adapted to meet the needs and skill levels of students.

Jump Roping ("Fun"damental)

We had a class dedicated to jumping roping, pretty spectacular! At the start of class our instructor gave us some unstructured time to jump rope to get back in the "swing" of things. This was followed up with various instructional variations such as: finding a new way to jump rope, jump rope while traveling distance, keeping your body as low to the ground while jump roping. It's was impressive to see how creative the class was (typical of children). These activities all lead up to the Jump Roping Extravaganza, in which we were give time to work in groups to create a jump roping routine that we would perform in succession with music. As each team completed  their routine they joined the TA's as they lead a dance in the corner to keep everyone active while in waiting.  It was simple yet great theme for a class and I had a lot of fun. At the end of the activity we re-grouped back in the classroom and talked a bit about developing lesson plans that meet specific goals. That being said these jump roping activities supported a number of health-related fitness goals and skill-related fitness goals. Clearly cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and coordination are high on the list. As a teacher it is important to be able to determine what your goal is for your students and how best to achieve that goal. PE can't just be "playtime" as we are trying to teach and promote the physical benefits of life-long activities and longevity.