Heart Rate Unit

So I feel like I keep stealing Alex's ideas, but they're really great. He had the idea on how to do our heart rate unit and still keep the kids' attention. Its really working out really well. We walk/jog for 5 minutes, then record our heart rate. Then, we go and do an activity we've already done in the past. We take our heart rate in the middle of the activity, record it, and then again at the end of the period/activity. So, we have a resting heart rate and 3 heart rates throughout the period. Its really going well and we keep the students interested throughout the entire period. Oh, and if you want to hear the beautiful sound of absolute silence. . .tell students to take their heart rate. Its amazing how quickly they get quiet and stay quiet.

On the first day, we introduced how to find and take their heart rate and introduce why cardiovascular fitness is important. On the second day we teach how to figure out the target heart rate zone, low target, high target, and why its important to stay in the zone.

Again. . .its great to see students doing well.

Oh, I also figured out during the 5 minute walk/jog. . .that happy people skip. Some students asked if they could skip and I said why not, they're moving, they're staying active, and it brings a smile to their face during fitness. But, did you ever notice. . .grumpy people don't skip, only happy people! :)

Garage Band is My Hero!

Ok, so because of this 'podcast' adventure I finally was able to figure out what this GarageBand program was on my Mac. Needless to say it is the best invention. . .EVER! Its amazing! Not only can you record podcasts and such and make your own music, but you can edit songs! For instance, I just moved Pink's song 'So What' over and edited out the one swear word in the entire song. Why do I care about one swear word? Well. . .it was the only word preventing me from playing the song in my classroom. Now, however, with a little editing help from my new best friend GarageBand, I edited out the one and only swear word and POOF!, its a good song to play in my classroom!!!

It truly is the little things in life. Oh my gosh, I'm so pumped!!!

PS - I realize there are edited versions, but now-a-days the edited versions still have profanity in them. So, I'm excited that I found a way around the unedited "edited" versions of the songs. Thanks, though Mike! I appreciate it!

Tests

So I finally gave my kids the football test on Thursday. Some did fantastic, while others completely dropped the ball. Its funny watching the freshmen, who have never had one of my tests, take theirs. They look at it like. . .whaaaaat?. . .she was serious when she said there would be labeling, true/false, matching, fill in the blank, etc. . .how do you guys set up your written tests?

Umm. . .

Does anyone else have those days when they are annoyed by everything? Perhaps I shouldn't be admitting that as a teacher, but I think part of being a decent teacher is realizing your flaws. I mean, I realize that I have to try to "step above" the crankiness and go on with my days. But, those little irritating things like whistling the same pitch over and over again, slamming lockers, whispering, all those things. . .some days its like they're magnified at least a hundred times. I guess in the end we're all human, even teachers. As much as I try not to have those days, they're going to happen. All I can do is learn from it and move on. It just comes down to a day with a short fuse.

Hopefully (well kind of) people could agree with what I'm saying. . .if not, I just seem like a whiny piece of crap! :)

Hockey

So, I'm beginning to think of my other favorite unit throughout the year, which is hockey. We don't teach hockey until the end of our year (when the playoffs are in full swing!!!), BUT I need sticks. Alex and I had the idea of just getting old regular wooden sticks to convert into PE sticks. Why? Well, we did it last year with a couple of sticks kids brought in. They worked WAY better than those crappy flimsy ones from any of the companies. All we did was cut off the blade if it was bad and replace it with one of those replacement blades. They worked wonders. I asked my hockey team I play for if they had any used sticks they were retiring to let me have them. So far, all I've gotten is a goalie stick. Some of the team uses wooden sticks, but mostly their of better quality. At any rate, if you know of anyone who wants to unload some of their old hockey sticks OR of any company willing to donate or make a cheap offer, please let me know. I'd definitely appreciate it!

Finally!

Alrighty then, we finally got to play an actual GAME of football. I realize that it seems I've been on this unit for awhile, but with the random 2-hour delay we had (church fire down the street) and so many other school day disruptions, our unit lasted longer than I wanted it to last. So, finally we are done with the football unit. My first period did the best with the actual playing. It was awesome though! We used flag belts and to see the girls running plays and playing defense and being successful with it was awesome! Some of the girls asked why we went over all this stuff for 2 days of actually playing. But, we had a team practice in there so the girls could get used to running the different passing routes and using the terminology to help them remember and make the game play more exciting. I replied to them with the question: "Do you think if we just jumped right into playing football, it would be as fun or would it be confusing and boring?" To which they replied (shockingly I might add), "Oh, I guess you're right. It would have been annoying if people didn't know where they were going."

So, even though it took longer than I wanted it to, the days of team competition was a blast! Woot. Woo.t :)

Proper Attire

So finally the fall weather is upon us and no matter how much I preach about bringing the proper clothing to class, I still get the student that is cold. I even tell them to bring a jacket, borrow a hoodie, or knit a scarf before coming to class because we ARE going outside regardless. I could understand if I taught elementary or even middle school (sort of) that they might not understand how to dress themselves accordingly. However, I teach high school and I have issues with students not being able to plan ahead or figure the weather out. Heck! just step outside! Anyone else find that students are sometimes incapable of bringing warmer clothes to class? Oh, and one of my favorites is when they tell me they're cold, so they're going to sit out of class. And, no matter how much I try to convince them that sitting out will only make them colder, they assure me I'm wrong. :) I do believe that's why I have found some gray hairs lately. Even though I voice my frustrations. . .I still love me job, let us not forget this fact.