Content Knowledge: Blog #1
1. Outside school experiences have deepened my subject area content knowledge 100%. I didn't grow up wanting to be a teacher and it wasn't until I subbed and began coaching basketball that I knew being surrounded by students is where I wanted to be. I wanted to teach students about the importance of a healthy lifestyle and well as guide young athletes along the path of being a student-athlete. It's been my outside school experiences that have given me the drive and motivation to continue to do what I do which is teach life skills through sports and exercise. I'm not the stereotypical PE teacher that just throws out balls and let's the kids run around. I believe in teaching life skills and creating a well balanced individual. Being a basketball coach and former athlete, I have been able to learn teaching practices and ways to communicate to my students that I could have never have learned by reading a book. If it weren't for my athletic background and experiences outside the classroom, I can't say I would be a well balanced PE teacher.2. I thought we had a great class discussion on Ball's article. There were several questions that were asked and it seems that we all could agree that subject matter preparation is a never ending cycle and all teachers should have the will and want to pursue more knowledge outside the classroom textbook. Also, I think it's clear that there are several other factors in education (tenure, seniority lists, politics, poor administration, etc. ) that make it hard for teachers to remain up to date in content knowledge. My initial judgment or opinion of Ball hasn't changed based on the discussion.
3. The more and more I research Physical Education the more questions seem to arise making it hard for me to narrow down a specific question. I know I want to answer the question of what are the mental and physical benefits of having Physical Education in schools, but questions surrounding obesity rates and media are also coming up:
- What are the major factors the have contributed to the rising obesity rates especailly in children? Has budget cuts and the pulling of programs contributed to this?
- Is there a link to child obesity and the deteriorating PE programs in schools?
- What are other countries doing for PE?
- Compare and contrast USA PE to another country
"Youngsters are most likely to develop physically active lifestyles if they are provided with physical activity experiences they enjoy and with which they can be successful." -Russell Pate
4. Umm I don't really know what to put here in the "express yourself" section, but I guess I'll put a picture of me back in the day playing college hoop since that was a time in which I learned a lot about myself as a person and athlete. It's those experiences that make me a better teacher and coach. Also, I added a pic of one of my favorite group of girls to coach. GO CAL HIGH!Responded To:
Courtney Lyon
Troy Bristol
Julie Wegher
