All posts by alexandra picken

MOVEMENT JOURNAL WEEK 8- Lexi Picken

Reflecting back on my elementary school experience, I can always remember thoroughly enjoying track and field season. I was always involved in various relay races, high jump, long jump, as well as softball throw. With that being said, I really enjoyed Devon, Michelle, Megan, and Jen’s team-teach. Learning about the different movements and techniques to running was very beneficial. I will utilize the skills I learned on Friday, to help me teach track and field skills during my long practicum. I also enjoyed the groups instant activity referred to as “Rabbits and Roosters”. The game is inclusive, yet at the same time, allows students to work on individual skills. I thought this was great!

The chapter for this week looked at diversity in a classroom setting. As a future educator this is something to be expected. However, dealing with diversity is another question. In terms of physical education, I think that there can be many ways to keep it inclusive for every student. This could range from participating in the activity, all the way to keeping score. Diversity on a gender scale is a little more confusing for me, and is something I need more resources to understand.

Overall, this week was a fun experience. It was also nice to enjoy a sunny day outdoors!

Lesson Plan: Alternate Environment/Outdoor Education – Katy, Lexi, Brianna & Jackie

Lesson Plan: Alternate Environment/Outdoor Education

  1. Warm up: Brief stretching activity – reaching to the locations we will be going to

– 10:00 am (5 minute)

  1. Instant Activity: CITE POSSIBLE

-10:10 am (5 minutes)

AS A TEAM complete the following in order:

  1. Go hug 5 different trees
    2. Collect 6 leaves from the ground
    3. Line-up as a  canoe and “paddle” ten steps in one direction
    4. Create a bird call and call to a bird
    5. High-five 5 strangers
    6. Jump back and forth from grass to pavement 3 times
    7. Go to the flagpole and  yell “O’Canada” as patriotically and as loud as you can
    8. Take 10 deep breaths of fresh clean air
    9. Tell a stranger they are AWESOME and WONDERFUL
    10. Meet back with teachers and stand in a circle to signify you are done!

  2. Reading Summary: Facilitated by each of us

-10:20 am(10 minutes)

  1. Count off students 1-4 and divide into 4 groups
  1. Facilitators will introduce the main activity and take students to designated locations.
  1. Main Activity: Outdoor Exploration

Skill theme: Learning about nature while incorporating the outdoors into various educational subjects

Lesson: Outdoor Education

Grade: K-7

Objective: To get students outside, and away from the usual indoor classroom setting.

Class Length: 45-60 minutes plus walking to each station (10-15 minutes per station)

Times: Each station will be approximately 10 minutes long

Equipment needed:

Station 1: Paper

Station 2: (minefield activity) cones x4

Station 3: none (rocks, leaves etc. students gather from the area)

Station 4: Balloons x 2

Evaluation: See attached Participation Rubric

Safety: Stay within the designated boundaries at each station. Station 1: When throwing airplanes make sure to throw away from anyone’s eyes. Station 4: Pass the balloon gently to each other, be careful of not bumping heads.

Transitions: Students will walk in small groups to the next marked station. Once all four stations are complete, small groups & facilitators will walk together towards the grass area outside of Scarfe.

Introduction: Students will take part in a tour around the community which includes engaging in four diverse stations for various grade levels.

Station one (Katy): Air

Lesson one: Air (credited from www.davidsuzuki.org)

Location: Upside down tree (UBC)

Grade: 5

Guiding Question: How is air important to nature?                                                                              Purpose: In this lesson, students explore the properties of air and understand its importance to the survival of all living things. They learn how humans can affect air quality and identify ways they can help protect the air.

Demonstration: Ask if students have made paper airplanes before/Show how to make one version of an airplane.

What you do: Students will create paper airplanes. Once all are ready line up in a line and throw the plane to see how far it can go.

PLO’s Station 1:

A4 Set a personal goal for physical activity

B2 demonstrate proper technique to send an object(kick, strike, throw at varying distances in predictable settings)

C1 Demonstrate safe use of equipment and facilities to avoid putting self and others at risk

C3 Demonstrate fair play in physical activity

Station two (Lexi): Minefield

Lesson two: Teamwork

Location: Rose Garden

Grade: 6

Guiding Question: Why is teamwork important?

Purpose: Students will get the opportunity to experience why and how teamwork is important.

Demonstration: Use students as models to display game

What you do: Students will take part in a minefield game. With that being said, one student will guide a blindfolded student through a pretend minefield without stepping on any mines.

PLO’s Station 2:

A1 Relate to emotional health to regular participation in physical activity (eg, energy, fresh air and sunshine when activities are done outside)

B1 Practice learned non-locomotor and manipulative skills to improve

B2 Demonstrate offensive and defensive strategies

C1 Demonstrate safe procedures for specific physical activities (eg, wearing safe attire for activity) participation in warmup/cooldown

Station three (Jackie): Nature/Art project

Lesson three: Exploring your schoolyard (credited from www.davidsuzuki.org)

Location: Echo circle (UBC)

Grade: 2

Guiding Question: What parts of nature are present in our schoolyard?

Purpose: Students will explore their schoolyard and get to know nature within it. They create an art project based on what they have found and experienced.

What you do: Students will utilize their natural surroundings to create a piece of artwork in pairs.

PLO’s Station 3:

A2 Describe physical responses that take place in body during physical activity (increased heart rate, breathing becomes more rapid, muscles feel more tired)

B1 Move through general space incorporating directional changes

C1-Demonstrate safe behaviors when participating in physical activity (eg, listening to and following directions, staying within activity boundary)

C3- Respect for others during physical activity (eg, respect varying ability levels, take turns, giving encouragement)

Station four (Brianna): Balloon Activity

Lesson four: Teamwork

Location: Flagpole (UBC)

Grade: 3

Guiding Question: Why is teamwork important?

Purpose: Students will get the opportunity to experience why and how teamwork is important.

Demonstration: Use students as models to display game

What you do: Students will break off into two teams and participant in a relay type game. Each team will be given a balloon. The goal is to transfer the balloon to the end line without using any hands. The balloon will also have to go through every player before the end line. If the balloon pops or drops, players must restart.

PLO’s Station 4:

C1 demonstrate safe behaviours while participating in a variety of physical activities

C2 demonstrate respect and encouragement for others during a variety of types of physical activity

C3 demonstrate leadership in physical activity (e.g., lead small groups, provide assistance with equipment set-up)

  1. Closure-Cool down: Everyone comes together as a group in front of Scarfe on grass.  

   Students will participate in various yoga exercises, and reflect upon their experience.

  1. Modifications to meet needs of learners: We have provided various activities that  

   can appeal to a variety of skill learners.

Meeting physical, cognitive and affective objectives:

Station 1: Physical controlling the production of own paper airplanes and altering the design to improve the distance the plane flies. Imitating the design shown by the teacher/creatively folding own styles. Cognitive: understanding the characteristics of air, predicting and judging which design could be better to use. Affective objectives: Following directions, and demonstrating appreciation for nature and formulate ideas around protecting the environment (air).

Station 2: Physical: Discovering the strategies to guide a person blindfolded across mines. Controlling the verbalization of directions (ie, one person tells the directions, so that not all are yelling at others. Cognitive: Organizing who will do the talking to the person walking around the mines. Analyzing the best route for the person blindfolded to make it to their destination. Affective Objectives: Taking turns directing a person to reach the destination, giving an opinion on strategies used, listening to instructions from your teammates.

Station 3:  Physical: Identifying resources for the art project, performing collection smoothly, creating an idea for the art project. Cognitive: Telling in own words the description of what the project is about, producing an art masterpiece. Affective objectives: Noticing which resources are best suited, complying with others opinions about what the project should look like or manner to be put together.

Station 4: Physical: Imitating each other’s movements to ensure enough coordination occurs so that the balloon can be passed between peers. Altering body position to accommodate changes as the balloon slides down peoples bodies/clothes. Discovering new ways and speed of passing the balloon. Cognitive: Inventing new ways of moving the balloon between people, Applying any new strategies to passing the balloon for the next round of the game. Comparing previous technique (if a particular move failed) to future ideas of movement (apply). Affective objectives: involving others by not skipping anybody when bassing the object, give opinions to the person next to you as to how they should receive the balloon, appreciate the team’s work in getting the balloon across gently without popping it.

  1. Sources:

Lessons Adapted from:

www.davidsuzuki.org

Evaluation rubric attached from: http://www.ed.gov.nl.ca/edu/k12/curriculum/guides/physed/intermediate/appendix_c-samples_of_assessment_tools.pdf

Plos taken from: http://www.bced.gov.bc.ca/irp/course.php?lang=en&subject=Physical_Education&course=Physical_Education_K_to_7&year=2006

Air characteristcs:

http://www.tvdsb.ca/webpages/cmacintosh/science.cfm?subpage=170323

Alternate Environment/Outdoor Education – Katy, Lexi, Brianna & Jackie

Collaborated Summary of Chapters 4 & 5 

Planning for Instruction

Curriculum documents gives general statements of student outcomes at each grade level

Educators must tell students: intended learning outcomes, assessment plans & how they relate directly to the learning outcomes, how the outcomes will be reached so that students will be prepared for the assessment, and how the needs of individual students will be met

Educators must ask students: What do I want students to know/be able to do/value?  How will I know? What will I do or how will I get there?

Planning Considerations: official documents, be aware of the school culture and surrounding community, student considerations, physical educator considerations, and other considerations

Examining Curricular Documents: Planning process begins with the end to meet exit outcomes

Yearly plan options (3):

     1) Solid block: where you give a few lessons of one skill

     2) Modified solid block: have special days e.g. “Dance Friday”

     3) Multiple block: teach two or more units at the same time

Objectives(3): Motor (“doing”), cognitive (getting knowledge), affective (attitudes towards fitness)

The methods + strategies used to maximize learning opportunities for students (6 phases)

1.) Introduction: appropriate warm-up + overview of the learning goals of the lesson

2.) New skills: teacher explanation and demonstration of new skills and concepts

3.) Consolidation: students practice new material in guided/ controlled settings e.g. drills

4.) Application: newly practiced movements/skills are done in a more formal setting e.g. games

5.) Closure: students gathered for overall feedback regarding performance + info for upcoming lessons equipment put away and cool-down activity

6.) Clarity: Use analogies to instruct—example: “extend your arms out like an eagle’s wings” vs. “extend your arms out to the side”.· Use demonstrations and visual aids.

Tips for creating a lesson plan

Gradual release of responsibility is key; this can articulate their learning.

The learning Environment: Students are all at different levels; skills and abilities. Use a variety of activities. Practice is key to master a skill – can’t be too easy/done wrong, or no skills will be learned. Promote equitable and fair participation and sportsmanship.

Rules and Routines: need strategies/guidelines unrelated to curriculum to ensure safety e.g. getting changed, setting up equipment, attendance. Have a plan in place for violators of rules.

Organizing students: Have a mixture of structured and unstructured supervised play e.g. squads

Choosing partners/volunteer vs ”voluntoldism”: Try not to embarrass and avoid exclusion

Transitions: warm-up, new skill learning, individual practice, application, closure

Student engagement: Use extrinsic rewards e.g. phrase. Motivation will come from enjoyment/interest level in the lesson. Make learning relevant to students prior experiences

Going outdoors: For safety concerns organize lessons/groups inside before going outdoors. Equipment should be controlled, since it is a larger environment. BONUS: there is more room

CITE Movement Journal 5 -Lexi Picken

The focus this week was on invasion games. Vivian, Zoe and Jenny all did a wonderful job of making the activities fun, and exciting. I also enjoyed the surprisingly intense workout I received from participating. What made the activities so appealing was that there was continuous active participation. Everyone was constantly moving, and no student was left out or excluded. The group provided quick, easy instructions, and left little down time. Sitting for long periods of time isn’t always ideal for elementary aged students, so I appreciate the group for keeping that in mind.

This weeks team-teach was also able to factor in some concepts of physical literacy. For many physical forms of activities, one needs to master the basic skills before he or she can move on. For example, in volleyball, we need to understand the basic skills of bumping, serving, setting and spiking before we can actually participate in a game. With that being said, I enjoyed that there were various levels of improvement provided on Friday. We started of with basic skills, and gradually improved them as the game intensified. In return, this created an environment where students needed to strategize, as well as work together.

Reflecting back on my personal elementary experience with invasion games, I noticed that they were very independently focused. When playing games like Capture the Flag, students usually just ran and grabbed the flag. Teamwork wasn’t always a factor when playing. In regards to the team-teach, students were forced into working together. Every student needed to cross the end line in order to receive a point. In terms of keeping active participation amongst all students, this style game is the way to go!

Week 3 Journal: Alexandra (Lexi) Picken

During Friday’s lesson, we focused on the topic of “Physical Literacy”. Although a variety of definitions were examined, I connected with Margret Whiteheads the most. She notes physical literacy as the “motivation, confidence, competence, knowledge and understanding to value and take responsibility for engagement in physical education for life”. I was drawn to this definition, because it made me look at physical education from a different perspective. Growing up, I only ever thought of gym as a fun activity that we did every other day or so in school. Learning about the important impact that it had on my health and wellbeing didn’t come until later in life. With that being said, I feel it is important that children have a good understanding of physical literacy early in life. Rather then just attending gym class, student should understand its purpose. This includes being literate in body awareness, nutrition, and active living. Younger generations need to mindful that physical literacy isn’t just limited to school, but that it can be applied to everyday life as well. Whether it be choosing to go outside over playing a video game, or eating a banana over candy. These are all aspects that children should be conscious of. In my future classroom, I hope to incorporate physical literacy as much as possible. This could range from teaching students about healthy eating/living, all the way to utilizing the outdoors as part of a lesson plan.

Lexi Picken – Physical Education

Reflecting back on my childhood, I can always remember being and still remain an active individual. Physical Education was something I looked forward to in school, as I have been fortunate enough to have a predominately positive experience with it. During our EDCP 320 class we had this past week, it became clear to me that not everyone had the same mindset towards Physical Education. Many of my fellow classmates could recall negative experiences that they had with the subject. As an aspiring educator, this is a very important aspect to keep in mind when creating lesson plans. Underlying factors such as games that may initiate bullying or ignite personal insecurities should be avoided. Taken from last weeks lesson, as teachers, we need to think of the gym as a bigger classroom and give each activity a purpose. These activities need to maintain explicit rules, and should never leave or single a child out. Playing Chuck the Chicken not only highlighted these types of strategies, but allowed us to see first hand, how beneficial the game is. My colleagues were developing strategies such as throwing the chicken further, or maintaining tighter circles. As a result, the game seemed to create an engaging atmosphere where students had to work together as a whole in order to reach an end result. This type of game, along with the strategies I have learned from this experience will be something I hope to use in my future Physical Education classes.