Online PE Assignments

Have you ever tried an online assignment with your students?  I think this would save time in class and paper.  I was worried about computer access for all students, but our school just started before and after school computer lab time.  The students have planners where they can journal their data and transfer to the computer at a later time and submit.  I would like to hear some thoughts and/or ideas that you've tried to incorporate.  Our district is very interested in display of written work and I believe this would be a great opportunity to assign it out of class and keep them more active while in the gym!

Other Blogs

Does anyone use a different blog to communicate about PE?  If so, what blog(s) do you use?  If you don't blog, are there other ways that you communicate with others in the field? Maybe a forum, etc.  I was just curious if anyone uses or will begin to use this type of communication in the future and if you think it is beneficial.  

THE END IS NEAR.....

Although we have several assignments left, I feel like the end is near. It has been quite a busy semester in addition to working on Phase I of the practicum project. I might feel like something is missing once this is all over. These classes have kept my time so occupied over the past few years. Is anyone else close to the end and completing the program? Do you feel the program has been beneficial?

Game Bikes, DDR, etc.

Does anyone have a fitness room equipped with some or a lot of the DDR, game bikes, etc.? We are in the process of acquiring new space at our school and I'm looking at different ideas. If you do have this type of equipment, how long have you had it? are there any issues with functions or other problems that don't allow for use when needed? I'm trying to get an idea of how long equipment like this will last. We all know technology has an end or a time when problems begin!

Epulse Heart Rate Monitor

Did anyone look at the epulse heart rate monitor on Saturday?  I would like to try this monitor out to see if it would hold up with students daily.  The idea of not having them wear a chest strap is great.  That is the biggest complaint I get while having the students use them.  My one concern after thinking the monitor over was how do you clean it?  I looked for information online and saw that it can be cleaned with soap and water, but not submerged in water.  The monitor has an elastic band that goes around your forearm, but how sanitary is that after a student sweats during a class period.  Then, the next student comes in to put it on and is grossed out by it.  Also, how sanitary is it if there is not a way to clean it in between each class? Just some thoughts and concerns I wanted to share!  I guess there is no perfect answer to heart rate monitors.  They all have pros and cons.   

Presentations

Today, all of the students presented a chosen technology topic during a workshop.  It was interesting to hear all of the researched ideas and how to implement them into our programs.  The other participants seem to enjoy the topics.  I was particularly interested in seeing how Mohawk created their fitness room and the cost involved.  I will look to attend that session at the PSAHPERD convention in Pittsburgh.  

Fitness Center Layout

Our district is in the process of remodeling the larger gym in our high school.  I requested additional space for a larger weight room to add fitness equipment that has never existed. Construction will begin in February and I'm on the hunt for ideas of fitness centers, fitness/cardio lab, etc.  Can anyone offer some input or ideas of what you have?  I'm the only PE teacher that has a strong interest.  The other teachers don't care much if any changes happen at all.  I would appreciate thoughts and what works for you. Thanks!

Electronic Portfolios

Our school has recently changed their senior project to electronic portfolios.  They previously developed a project of personal interest that resulted in a learning stretch.  Does anyone else use this process in their district? How do you feel about an electronic portfolio as a senior project?  The district feels it can be used for general job interviews or possibly in college.  I would like to add information to the portfolio such as a lifetime activity project, fitness plan, etc.  

Any ideas?  It would be a beneficial addition if they were going into the health, exercise science, or PE field to have some kind of project attached.

Pedometer Brands

Does anyone use pedometers? I am looking to buy a new set of pedometers for my practicum project in the spring. I have a set now, but am not impressed. They were bought two years ago and already having issues with not working, etc. I'm still looking online at different models, but I would like a recommendation from anyone with experience. They will be used at the 7th and 8th grade level.

Thanks for any help!

Injuries in the Gym

This year I'm dealing with a grade level of very needy students -7th grade. During the first few weeks of dressing, I got some excuse why someone can't put a shoe on because of a band aid or I can't run today because my finger hurts, etc. These are actually the sad excuses that don't make any sense to why they can't participate in class. Even further I get notes from parents like, "my son/daughter cannot participate today because their homework is not done and I want them to finish it during PE class time". Even better is the doctor excuse I received from a student who is an excellent athlete and wants to participate in class consistently. It stated that the student is not permitted to take class for a week because of a football injury. OK, that makes sense, but then the student begins to tell me that he's permitted to start back at football that Thursday??? How is that possible??? And my favorite is the new teacher who wrote an excuse for several cross country runners who she didn't want to have take class so they could rest their legs for a meet almost 48 hours later. Our class that day consisted of team building activities??? To even add more, I saw a few of these students at basketball practice as I left school that day???

These all do eventually work out where the students get better at understanding once they are in class for a while and realize it is a non threatening environment. My thoughts are, maybe their elementary experience is not that great and when they come into the high school at 7th grade they are intimidated at first until we get things going.

Any thoughts?? or similar experiences??

Web Page

I've been working on my web page for technology class. It has become very time consuming and frustrating...I chose to work on my page through word since I am familiar with the functions. Everything goes fairly well until I view as the web page??? and not in the word program. Tables will shift sometimes and random text will change to a smaller font. Is there anyone else having these issues?? and does anyone have a solution?? I would appreciate any help.

Integrating Physical Activity into the Complete School Day

Did anyone read Naspe's posted information on integrating physical activity into the complete school day?  It offers resources for classroom activities during the day, before and after school activities, staff wellness days, and walk to school programs. 

Does anyone feel they would get the support from teachers to incorporate physical activities into their lessons? or just think we are crazy? Dr. Nichols had talked to me about this idea during the spring semester for our "make a change project".  I was just wondering if anyone has tried this approach. If so, how is it going?  

Team Building/Adventure Activities

For the past few weeks the seventh graders have been working on team building/adventure activities.  This unit is so interesting to watch.  The seventh graders come from five different elementary schools into a junior-senior high school which is somewhat intimidating.  Most of them only know an average amount of 20 students.  They are mostly shy and not sure of how to work together to achieve goals.  We work to develop positive communication and problem solving skills for three weeks (they have PE every other day) until they demonstrate an understanding of working together to achieve a common goal. The best part will come the first week of October.  The students are placed in groups, handed a challenge and organizer card explaining their challenge and begin by making a plan for their challenge.   Over the next two weeks they work together with the same group to solve six different challenges demonstrating their social development.  After completing each challenge they fill out a team report card explaining how they were successful.  The challenges range from beginner, intermediate to advanced.  Sometimes their plans don't work and they get frustrated, but they try different attempts until they figure it out.  It is so great watching how well they develop the skills to work together. Every year I invite administrators down to watch and sometimes join in...It's a great way to start the year!

A Day of Celebration

After three years of fundraising through our PE club, we have been trying to raise enough money to install a rock wall at our school.  This year we are so close!!!  We still roughly need another $1500 to $2000.  Over the summer I applied for the Highmark grant and just received notice and a check this morning for the total rock wall cost!!!!!!!!!!!!  I am soooooo excited and wanted to share my excitement with you.  Now we can use the other money for a future fitness center and a field trip we want to take the club members on.    

What a great day!!

PDA's & Starting Class Strategies

Does anyone use the hand held computers? What are your pros and cons about having one?

I am curious about different ways to begin class and save time! This would be at the middle or high school level when students are changing and you have to take role.

It would be nice to have finger print scanners when they come in and we didn't have to worry about it??

Pedometer Thoughts...

I was wondering who incorporates pedometers into their lessons? or a unit? Has anyone done the walk across a map situation? What are some different ways you can motivate students using pedometers to increase their steps taken during a class period for a unit over time. I personally like using a pedometer, but I already have the motivation!! I am using them with 7th and 8th grade students, which takes some time getting started. I don't have outside facilities available for walking so I have to plan utilizing only the gymnasium??

Fundraiser and Technology Assessment

Hello!

I hope the weekend is going well. I have been trying to raise money through our PE club for a rock wall and was wondering if anyone had any good ideas for fundraising? We've done a few, but I was hoping some of you would have some great ideas. Also, what kind of technology would you use to assess rock wall climbing?

I appreciate any help!!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend.

lisasru3 bio

I am a graduate of Slippery Rock University in 2005 with a HPE degree and am in my fourth year of teaching at Lincoln Junior-Senior High School in Ellwood City. I taught several programs before becoming a teacher including cardio kickboxing, taekwondo, gymnastics and began a kidfit program for community children. Because of the rewarding experiences and encouragement of others, I became a physical education teacher. This is also my first year for having student teachers from SRU.