Some Resources and Websites!

Here are a few websites you can look at if you would like to find some games for your PE class, or if you would like some cool team building activities for your team. These websites can also show you some of the key benefits of games and relays and team bonding exercises for the children.

1)        http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/sports-athletic-games/chalk-pavement-games/      

This is a family fun website. It lists all the games that can be played at home, around family, and at school. This website shows some games that children can potentially play at home. They are still activity based games, however because they are safe to play around the house too, they implement self motivation. Which is one of the things we like to focus on in pe class, if we are able to teach the child to be able to motivate him or herself, then they will feel better about themselves because they will be confident enough to do activities on their own. In addition to this the website also suggests games that can be played in class too.

2)    http://www.livestrong.com/article/341975-team-building-activities-for-kids-sports/

Live strong is a health and well-being company that’s been founded by Lance Armstrong. This particular page is more of an article. It gives some stats, and it states that 39% of children between the ages of 9 and 13 participate in organised sport.  This site puts a strong emphasis on the benefits of team building activities. And that such activities intern benefit children on and off the fields. In addition to this it lists a few activities that a sports team can do to bond better as a team. However I believe some of these activities can be implemented in the classroom, not only to improve the relationships between the students in the class, but the students will be able to take many skills into the outside.

3)         http://weissice.com/games.htm

This website lists all the different PE is very similar to the first website. This website is specifically aimed for Physical education classes. It lists the less conventional games, they are games that somebody has created, and for instance there are games such as Qudditch.  There is a small news segment on this website, where the author tries to implement new exercises and methods. It also suggests some other links that teachers can look at for more information.

If you' are the type of person who needs more information here are some books you might like to consider reading:

“Catch them being good”

It's about a journey of US Women's soccer Team who had a massive success in the past. Even though it’s a success story of a sporting team, the book mentions some games and relays that are more specific for team building. In addition to this some team building activities can definitely be beneficial in the class room, because team building activities and games have many components that children can take away into the real world too.

Creating our Games!!

Monday’s class involved the group being split up into groups of 4 or 5. The gym was set up so that there were 5 different stations with various equipment. The groups were instructed to create a game that included the use of all equipment.

Game 1:

Game 1 consists of the use of a parachute and 2 balls. This game is aimed at children between the ages of 12-16.

Rules:

•           4 people are to hold the parachute on the edges, and one person holds both balls standing back      from the parachute.
•            The group of 4 must launch the parachute up (but keep holding the sides) and they must sit under the parachute while they are pulling it down.
•           The person on the outside throws the balls and aims to get them through the middle of the parachute (in the hole).

Modifications made:

We started off by running in a clockwise direction while holding the parachute, and the aim was to keep the balls on the parachute, however this didn’t work as it was too hard to  keep the balls on the parachute.

Game 2:

Game 2 is more intended for high school children.  This game was different because it was a relay. The equipment used was: 8 cones, bean bags, metal baton.

Rules:

•           2 teams (one team of 2 and one team of 3) on the team of 2 someone goes twice.
•           Place a cone on each arm, you must run to pick up a bean bag at the other cone where the bean bags are.
•           Pick up the bean bag with the cones, and run back to place it on top of the starting position cone.
•           Your team mate then passes you the baton, and you must carry it with the cones on your arms and place it through the hole in the top of the cone that is located next to the bean bags.
•           Pick up one more bean bag on the way back and place it on top of the first bag.
•           Pass the cones on to the next person and they do all of that again.

Modifications:
If you drop your item you must start again.

There were many skills that we used to create these games including: teamwork, leadership, being able to put various ideas together, multi tasking, decision making, running, psychomotor, balance, communication, encouragement, imagination,  and no matter how bad the idea seemed we were able to try it and modify it if needed.

General comments:

I feel that my group worked well together, we did a good job of being able to put everyone’s ideas together into the one game, so everybody contributed. The game with the parachute was a fun one, however it was difficult to get a game going that works and keeps going, but we got there in the end. I believ my group did very well in thinking outside the box, this is especially clear in game 2.

My Teaching Philosophy

There are many important aspects to consider when it comes to the education of a child. Today’s society demands a healthy lifestyle, and thus the education system is enforcing this to the children of society. One of the key components to a child’s education is participation in PE class. Through games and sports related activities children will not only be active, but they will also be exposed to many other skills that they will use in life outside of the gym. My Teaching Philosophy is to make sure that each child is educated about inclusion, teamwork, cooperation, respect and at the same time have FUN. Because children can take these skills and use them in life outside the gym.

First of all it is safe to say that most games and relays are comprised of team work components. The aim for my classes is to implement and educate children about how to behave around others, and make the best out of themselves and motivate others to do the same. This is going to be done by tying in components of learning to be respectful and cooperative to others.

Secondly, it is important for all children to be involved, especially in classes such as PE. Because involvement in physical activity is not only beneficial for their health, but games and relays can also be used as a confidence booster. By rewarding the child if they perform their assigned responsibility (such as leading a team, or collecting the equipment after class) they get a confidence boost by knowing that they did a good job. This can be especially beneficial for children that are not confident in sporting abilities but for instance are great leaders.

Thirdly, Games and Relays is the type of class that children will be having a lot of fun in. For instance it could potentially be a “release” to stressed children. Because once they come in to play sports games, they do not have to focus on things that are stressful to them outside of the gym. It is also a way for children to socialise, and communicate, especially when the game is team related. In addition to this children will have the opportunity to be imaginative, especially when they get the opportunity to create their own game. Because the children will be having “FUN” with the activity, it is safe to say that fun is used as a motivator. Initially for the first few lessons, the motivation will come from the teacher, but as the children realise that games and activities are fun, they will potentially learn how to generate self motivation.

A huge part of teaching is being able to educate children in a way that they can take the skills they learn and use them outside the classroom and gym. In my belief skills such as respect, cooperation, and responsibility are going to be beneficial in every aspect of their life, and not just games and relays. With this in mind fun is also a key teaching point. If I can implement fun into my lessons I believe that the children will be motivated to complete their tasks, and hopefully they will learn how to create their own motivation by implementing some fun things into other tasks they particularly dislike.