Julie, Helen, and I were in charge of the group teach activity last week and I must say, it was a nerve-racking and fun experience at the same time. One thing we realized is that no matter how prepared you feel like you are in your lesson plans, there will always be something that needs to be altered during your actual lessons. You cannot predict everything! I think that was one of our biggest take-aways we got from Steve. Nonetheless, we had a great time teaching and we were so pleased that everyone enjoyed the activities and playing badminton!
Something else I wanted to mention during last week’s class was the case study of Billy during the physical literacy reading summaries. The scenario was similar to something that happened when I was in Grade 6, when I received my first C+ in PE class. I was always an active child and participated in PE class regularly, so the letter grade was basically a slap in the face for me. I remember thinking what was I doing wrong? Back then, I always thought PE was built solely on skills and athletic ability, and the term ‘physical literacy’ was all but non-existent for me. But after the short discussion during our summary circles, I finally have a better understanding of what the new school curriculum is shifting towards. This change towards an holistic understanding of healthy living and physical well-being is going to be vital for children and youths today, teaching them about the importance of physical literacy and the motivation to stay active for life.
I can’t wait for the rest of the class’ group teach!
Great post Fiona and great team teach!
Not being a huge fan of badminton I was a bit apprehensive about our P.E. session last week. But it was so much fun! I really enjoyed how you incorporated a round robin of four people on each side of the court. It made the game less competitive and more enjoyable. Plus, it kept everyone engaged and active as we ran around trying to keep a rally going.
Starting the lesson by teaching basic techniques was an important step to lay a foundation upon which to build our skills. As we got into the spirit of things we tended to forget about how the hold the racket so it was good to have a mid-game reminder.
I also wanted to touch upon our physical literacy discussions. Since we have been learning about literacy in a few of our classes it has been on my mind. At first it seemed a bit of a lofty concept and I couldn’t quite put my finger on what exactly literacy was. After the reading summaries last week I felt I had a much clearing understanding.
I now appreciate that literacy isn’t just a specific skill set rather it encompasses many different contexts and environments. Physical literacy is life long learning and it involves not only physical competency but also motivation, confidence, knowledge, understanding and responsibility.
Not everyone can be good at every sport but that doesn’t necessarily mean they aren’t physically literate. If teachers help provide knowledge and understanding then from that grows confidence and eventually increased activity.
I think the key component here is exactly what your group exemplified in the team teach. Keep it fun! If students are having a good time with the basics in mind then their confidence will grow and so will their skill level.
Good job!
Jennifer
Hi Fiona!
I have to say first that the class your group led on badminton was so fun. I really enjoyed playing Kings Court and was so impressed with how well it incorporated our whole group and kept everyone moving. I noticed too how often you as leaders checked in with us while we were playing the game. Making sure students understand the game and are enjoying themselves is really important. I feel that students are less inclined to participate when they don’t understand what’s going on in the class. This scenario is common and might lead to the student seeming as if they are uninterested in P.E. in general when in reality they just don’t understand the rules and therefore do not feel motivated to join in. Checking in with the group every so often is a really good way of avoiding this confusion, and a skill that I hope to put into practice in my own group teach!
I am also really glad to read how you enjoyed the case study in physical literacy. When Gemma, Julie and I read that the first time it really struck us as interesting because it’s such a departure from the traditional way we all were assessed in our past P.E. classes. I think it will be a challenge to explain to parents who are unfamiliar with physical literacy the specifics of why just being able to score a basket isn’t enough anymore. I know it will be difficult at first to learn how to navigate these types of interactions with parents, but I think it will be interesting and am looking forward to learning more about it together.
Emily
Hi Fiona!
I thought that you and your group did a great job at your Team Teach presentation. I had a lot of fun, and it was a great learning experience for the rest of the class.
I thought that it was very well organized and structured, especially since you guys managed to organize everyone in a way that allowed maximum class participation. No one was left standing or waiting! We were always moving and working together as a team, which emphasized group cohesion and communication.
Also, I totally agree about your statement regarding planning. We felt that way too when we did our Team Teach for target sports. No matter how planned you are, things always need to be adjusted when you are actually running the lesson plan. It can be overwhelming how many variables go into a real-life lesson.
Nice job guys!
Anna
Hi Fiona,
Enjoyed reading your post and loved participating in your group teach activity! You, Helen, and Julie did a great job! You made the activity fun and comfortable for everyone, even for people who never played badminton or did not have a lot of experience playing. I liked how you concentrated on 3 skills so we (and your students) would not feel overwhelmed with a new sport. We had enough time to practice before playing with others. I liked how you made teams of 4 so everyone was playing and nobody would feel uncomfortable playing in front of others. When I think back to my PE classes in school, I always felt anxious when teachers singled out students in class and you had to practice or perform in front of others. It just adds that extra bit of pressure in a class that is suppose to be fun and safe. And it will most likely lose the interest of students who feel like they do not have the same skills as the ‘athletic’ students. This is why physical literacy is so important in today’s classrooms. Everyone should be knowledgable and confident with physical activities and be motivated to stay fit and healthy throughout their life. Thanks again for a great class!
Amy