OUTSIDE!? Where did the gym go?

Lab 5 was very interesting for us because it was the first time we have been outside. Usually we are in the gym but for lab 5 we were outside and downstairs where the children eat and play with board games. It was more difficult to teach and maintain the children's attention outside, rather than in the gym, because it is a new environment and has more distractions. Despite these new last minute challenges it was a great experience and practice for when we have to think on our toes when we become teachers ourselves.

Easter at St. Marys

This weeks lab was very interesting. The theme of the lab was Easter. This theme was a very creative combination with the skills observed which was the overhand throw and catch. My group and I were assigned to special projects for the first time. We put together posters, hung them up, and towards the end of our time at St. Mary's we lead the whole group in a game, song, and cheer. One thing I noticed is that the children really like when you bring in props for the games that they can take home or that you wear even if it makes you look silly.

St. Marys Lab 3

The theme for Lab 3 was dinosaur train which allowed us to be creative with our activities and things we brought in. My group worked with the Pre-K which was different for me but very fun and full of great experience. We read dinosaur books to them and brought in pictures of dinosaurs for them to color in. The children really liked the books and pictures, allowing us to keep their attention, which was a big relief for me. We also had Blaze as our guest appearance and the children instantly fell in love with him, running up to him and holding his hand. Blaze coming in was good, but one challenge we met was getting the children motivated to do the activites instead of just clinging to Blaze. Luckily Blaze helped out and participated in the activities which motivated the other children to go along and participate as well.

Childhood Growth and Motor Development

http://prezi.com/7y2ncnhdlyjr/

Developmental Physical Education

There are three critical issues that face children in the US today. These issues are a rising in childhood obesity, in school and community violence among youth, and the psychosocial effects of early puberty. Fortunately we have developed goals through the concept of "Developmental Physical Education" to try and face these issues. Some of these goals are to teach our youth how to move, how to lead a healthy and active life, how to learn through movements, become fit, and become active learners. Through these goals we are trying to develop the whole child, but there are 3 main factors that can explain the relationships that lead to the development of the whole child. These factors are the biology of the individual, conditions of the learning environment, and the requirements of the movement task.

To help us develop the whole child we have to understand the concepts of individual appropriateness and group appropriateness. Individual appropriateness is based on the individuals levels of fitness, cognitive development and affective growth. Group appropriateness is influenced by age and grade level, it is second to individual appropriateness and ranges from general to specific movements. Each person is different and is at their own level of life, once we understand these two concepts it will enables to connect and understand what the individual needs and we can formulate those needs into group activities.

To develop an appropriate plan you have to consider the fundamental movement skills which include locomotion and manipulation. Some Locomotion skills are walking, running, and leaping. Some Manipulation skills are throwing, kicking, and volleying. Not only do you have to consider the fundamental movement skills but you should also consider the patterns of stability when developing an appropriate plan. These patterns can be observed as axial, static and dynamic movements. Examples of axial movements would be bending and twisting, and static/dynamic movements would be rolling and upright balances.

Once we consider the fundamental movements skills and patters of stability we will be able to develop a plan appropriate for the individual as well as the group. By doing so, we will be able to not only reach our goals, but also face the issues faced by children in America thus developing the whole child or physical fitness, which is both health and performance related.

Am I in The Right Program?

I, and I am sure I'm not alone, from time to time ask myself "what I am doing with my life"? My experiences at St. Mary's have been reassuring me that I am in the right field. I love what I do and what PE has to offer. I love working with the kids, interacting, playing games, and/or figuring out puzzles with them.
The more I lead activities the more confident I become in my teaching skills. I believe that I am getting through to the kids and they have a full understanding of the activities I do with them, and of course having FUN along the way.
At lab we have been experiencing a lot of different behaviors from the kids. There are kids who love the activities you come up with. They listen well, participate, and are always ready to play another game. Some other kids want to play other games or don't want to play at all. All these different experiences have helped me grow as a future teacher, and are enabling me to be more diverse, and be on my toes ready to go all the time.

St. Marys Labs 1 and 2