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
Sheridan, you mentioned in class and again in the blog that part of PE, for you, is teaching student’s real life skills and the application of using those skills to be successful. I think that this is an invaluable aspect that you bring to the table as many times the hustle and bustle of the classroom tends to overlook some of those “real life” skills. Part of showing up on time and prepared is a habit that should be demanded of all students regardless of the specific class. It is refreshing to see that you take an outside of the box approach to physical education and demand more then running the track of throwing a ball. The skills of accountability are ones that many students seem to be unaware of and it is important that as educators we prepare them for the real world.
ReplyDeleteI think your inquiry question is engaging and one I would be interested in hearing about. The cutting of funds for athletic programs and physical education classes should cause panic in many parents, yet not much is being done about it. It is in PE classes and sports that many valuable qualities are fostered. I think it would be interesting to see what other countries are doing and whether or not their approaches have a higher success rate. Or, another approach might be to examine the skills and qualities that are fostered, promoted and learned in team sports.
Sher-
ReplyDeleteYour interpretation of how to teach P.E. is intriguing. It seems only natural that you bring in your experience as an athlete and coach into the classroom. Being an athlete and a coach almost require you to learn life skills as you go (if you want to be successful or meet your potential in either). I am curious to know what experience you had as a student. Often times, we as teachers consciously or unconsciously take on the positive and negative qualities from teachers we have had in the past. Did you have PE teachers that just tossed a ball out and said have at it? Did you have coaches that were able to teach you skills on and off the court?
I think it would be very interesting to focus on the difference between PE program in other countries and compare that to the U.S. We have one of the highest obesity rates in the world so I feel as though it would correlate in some way. I mean, how is it that people in Italy can eat all that pasta and pizza and still have lower obesity rates then us Californians?? Also, in Europe they have a lot of ways to remain competitive post college. So, people our age still have competitive athletic leagues that allow them to stay healthy.
And finally, take down that garbage Kobe Bryant picture.
Sheridan -
ReplyDeleteI love that you mentioned teaching life skills to your students. The PE environment that we teach in is so perfect for this kind of learning and we have so many opportunities in the kinds of situations that arise between students, when asked to participate in a team atmosphere and when we ask them to push their bodies in exercise. I agree with what you have to say about being a well-balanced teacher because of most of you athletic background; I also think that it helps us to reach students with our experiences. God is a Gael :)
Your questions revolving around obesity are good ones and ones that are very important. Our district completely cut sports from our high schools a couple of years ago and although there was a foundation that stepped up to help fund the programs, it is still a huge possibility that many kids could lose their only motivation to participate in physical activity. How would this effect those students and their families in terms of remaining healthy and active if there isn't an age appropriate outlet. I look forward to hearing more about your research.
Thanks for sharing.
Jenn
Hey there,
ReplyDeleteI think that your topic is extremely interesting and really hits home with me. Your questions around obesity are good one and are very important. Personally, I am frightened that schools are getting rid of physical education and sports. I cannot imagine having grown up or going to school and not having PE. I think that PE teaches kids so much more than just being "physically fit." All the games and sports that you are taught teach you about life, cooperation, teamwork, determination, and work ethic. I am who I am today because of sports and being physically active/playing on a sports team. I think it's sad that all kids want to do when they get home from school is play video games. Kids imaginations are very limited, compared to when I was a kid. It is a scary question, but where will kids find any time for physical activity outside of school?
Ben