Ultimate Frisbee

The Ultimate Frisbee section on my journey to becoming the best teacher I can be was yet another huge bump in the road. Listening to myself teach was truly a wake up call to myself. I'm very good in front of people but for some reason as of late I have been crashing under pressure. Though it is not an excuse, I was not prepared to teach on this day and tried to give it a shot anyway. I frequently used the word alright, easily over twenty times! I have many things I need to work on before my next lesson with Matt. The one thing I feel I need to work on other than saying alright a lot is having something to do for all the students. For some reason I always have kids not doing any activities.

Don't Smile Til' Thanksgiving

On Thursday night February 12, 2009 Paul Alexander gave a presentation in the Corey Union. Alexander is the assistant coach of the NFL's Cincinnati Bengals and a graduate of Cortland's PE program. This presentation focused on Phys Ed majors that also want to coach and touched on some issues and fun that is along the way. Mr. Alexander, though a professional football coach, made his presentation relevant to anyone who is looking to coach any sports. Alexander touched upon topics such as his own philosophies, philosophies handed down to him, and the advantages coaches with PE degrees have over those that don't. I feel the most important aspect of Alexanders presentation was when he recalled a phrase his mom (a teacher) once told him," Don't Smile Til' Thanksgiving!" Mrs. Alexander was saying the the line between student and teacher must not be crossed. Sometimes it may be easy to let your guard down with kids that you trust and you might kid around with them and say the wrong thing. Students should view you as a teacher not as a friend.

Lab A2

The second time around felt much better while I was teaching, however after watching my lesson I found it was even worse. Though my teaching was better I had kids standing around doing NOTHING!! The activity time was basically not present at all and all in all it was another disaster. I need to work on my class managment skills and learn to maximize class participation. The evidence of my massacre can be found here.

1st Teaching Video

First and foremost I have ALOT of work to do. I'm usually pretty good infront of people but the whole idea of being surprised like that really threw me off. I didn't do any pinpointing and certainly didn't check for understanding. Over all this first attempt at teaching was a disaster, it was actually humiliating how horrible of a job I did. I need to bounce back from this and really do a better job next time.

No Dodgeball In Gym Is Like Peanut Butter Without Jelly!

I have been waiting to be able to write or debate about the topic of dodgeball in PE classes for a very long time. Within the past couple of years most schools across the country have banned the game of dodgeball in their PE classes. Granted this is a very heated debate and I do indeed have a very strong opinion of my own. I have been a very good athlete my entire life I have played in so many different sports it would be hard to list. I guess you could say I'm your "A" typical jock or gym class hero. I like to look at myself as a competitor that strives for the best at all times. Some people can take that either way and think that I'm thick headed and just another dumb jock, but that isn't the case at all. I can very easily see the argument people have with not wanting dodgeball in PE classes. There are obvious hazards and risks involved in the game just as there are in any other athletic activity. The whole point of the game may seem barbaric but there truly are some great benefits from the game. The game of dodgeball is extremely exerting and quick speed bursts are crucial. Hand eye coordination is key when knocking the ball away with another ball. I feel the most crucial aspect of the sport is it builds character and both physical and mental toughness.

Our society has taken to this attitude of being "soft" just turning the cheek and not taking resposibility for our actions. Now you may say what does dodgeball have to do with anything I just said, but quite honestly how doesn't it? Our society is in shambles right now because people are afraid of their shadows, maybe dodgeball should be made madatory for classes. This is a sport that builds toughness and teaches people how to handle failure and if you do get hurt you bounce back up and play the next round, just like in life; or how our lives used to be. I'm not focusing on the physical aspect of the sport because to me it is a no brainer that it is physically exerting and requires a ton of movement and agility. Maybe this is why one in every three children in the Uinted States are obese. I'm not being ignorant here I really do see how some people don't want dodgeball for fear of head injury and other possible injuries. A well taught PE class will not have these injuries occur with the watchful eye of a good teacher. I feel in general our society needs to stop worrying about their little Johnny or Mary getting hit with a dodgeball and learn to let their kids grow up and toughen up and get ready for the ups and downs life is going to be thrown their way. You have to get up when you get knocked down in dodgeball, you also have to get up when you get knocked down in life.