Upcoming Week

I'm planning on continuing my Frisbee Unit this week. I used it as a "filler" before the big football unit. I went over throwing and catching techniques and have found that the girls are interested in Frisbee, but find themselves not wanting to partake in the activity because they're afraid of throwing and catching it. So, I spent a little bit of time on the throwing and catching aspects of it so they could get used to it a bit. We then went into Ultimate Frisbee, which is one of my all-time favorite activities! Some got into it, and others didn't. I found that when I participate, the amount and speed of the activity increases and when I don't, it just kind of fizzles and drags on. Anyone have any ideas on how to motivate the students when I can't be involved in every game? I keep thinking. . .music, shorter games with more opponents, dividing teams differently each time, etc.

BF PE, Yo!

I handed out the cooperative assessments this week. The kids seemed to responded really well to it. Alex and I like to ask the students what they think of different activities we do or the assessments, too. While some of the comments aren't helpful, I trust the opinions of some of my students and take some notes. Some students said they thought it was a different way to "test" and they liked it. Others were worried that even though I said to grade on performance and not the person (whether they like the person or not), they still felt like some people would sabotage their grade. I assured them I would be able to tell. Overall, the students seemed pretty fair while grading each other. The only problem we are finding is the amount of paper work that is involved in this process. Hopefully for next year, we can have an online assessment. . .hopefully.

Cooperative Unit

Since we have everyday PE for an ENTIRE year, we have the luxury of spending time on units we feel are more important. So, we took the time at the beginning of the year to focus on cooperative activities and developed a unit based on those. This past Friday was the last day of the unit and we had been trying to figure out how we would evaluate them on their unit. So, Alex came up with a brilliant plan of self and peer-assessments. I may or may not have stolen the idea from him (with his permission because after all the best teachers steal, right!?!?). Anyways, our biggest hurdle now is that it is taking an incredible amount of time to do these evaluations. Some students STILL don't know who everybody is in the class, so we had them stand up and be evaluated on paper. This allowed the face truly to be recognized with the name. I'm excited about how our new unit ended and the overall effectiveness of it. You'll always have those token students that could care less about what you're doing and are completely above working with other individuals, but, again overall. . .it worked really well!

5 or 10 Year Plan!

So Alex (my fellow PE collegue) and I had an epiphany of what we want to do down the road in our program. We read an article about what other programs are doing and had the "Why can't we do that" thought. So, we spent all of our lunch duty scheming and talking about what, how, and when we were going to change the whole thing around. Then, we started brainstorming and writing lists upon lists down: "Who to talk to," "What equipment we need," etc. Well, we first need to talk to our principal and see if he has any suggestions. I know our guidance department is a must to have on the team, so we already checked with him and he's on board (naturally, because he is a former PE teacher. . .in fact mine at a different high school and my coach!).

I don't know, I'm extremely excited about the process. I absolutely know and realize how much work it'll be and I think there will be a ton of hurdles to climb. But, in the end, it'll be worth it because we'll have an amazing program. Well, in theory we will and this will all happen. So, if anyone has any ideas or information or tips on ANYTHING or where to begin, that'd be fantastic!

Music in PE

You know, its funny. . .I absolutely LOVE music and the fact that I have the perfect classroom environment to use music in my classroom is awesome. I was sitting behind my superintendent at the preview show for the band this summer and the band started playing one of the songs I ALWAYS play in my classroom. Naturally, I said, "Oh, I love this song. We always play it in my class." Haha, she just about broke her neck turning around and looking at me as if I had gone and lost my mind playing music in class. However, I cooly and calmly assured her how much it adds to a classroom if its used right. Oh, and I didn't forget to mention I always check out the lyrics and what not to make sure its appropriate. But, seriously, it adds so much to an activity its amazing! And, it allows you to save your voice by using the music to start and stop activities for you, instead of yelling to get the kids' attention.

At various points in the school year, I ask each student what their favorite songs are, what kind of music they like, who their favorite artists are, or what random songs they would love to hear played. I try to find clean versions of all of them, and of course, I check out each songs' lyrics. The last thing I need are parents or school board members calling me in to discuss my song choices. It take a bit of time, but I'm willing to do it because a) it adds so much to a classroom and b) I love music :)

OH! Also, I usually do a fun segment on "TV Theme Songs" during the Fitness Center. Then, I go around and quiz the students on who can name the Them Song the fastest. Its pretty fun :)

I did find, however, that its difficult finding clean versions of rap or hip/hop tracks without suggestive lyrics in them. Rihanna is the artist that delivers the most for my playlists in school. She has great lyrics and great, uptempo beats. Oh, and I have found that oldies, are goodies and 90's music is awesome :) My students can't relate all that much to 80's music, but N'Sync, The Backstreet Boys, Criss Cross, B*witched, and some other one hit wonders are perfect for fun music! I have about 20 playlists now on my iPod specifically for school. I also have created Christmas playlists as well. Have I mentioned that I love LimeWire, iTunes, my iPod, and everything else I use in my class pertaining to music!?!? I do. . .

Let me know if you are in need of any good songs for your classes. . .I'll be happy to share my playlists or make you some cd's!

Sooooo. . .

So, I'm creating this blog because it is a requirement for one my graduate classes at Slippery Rock University. I am currently teaching high school girls' phys. ed. at Beaver Falls High School. I graduated from Mount Union College, where I double majored in Health and Physical Education. I minored in Multi-Age Education. I'm sure you're not at all interested in this part of me, but I figured that would be a good place to start.
Actually, the whole reason I decided to name my blog "Random Goodness" is because 9 times out of 10, I'm random. There is no reason to my random ramble sessions, so perhaps its a good thing I have a blog now.
Aaaaat any rate, my fellow classmates are harrassing me for typing too much, sooooooo, I'm done! :)
Have a great day and make good choices!