A Differnt world!

    Our district has been working had on Academic Vocabulary, and the importance of our students talking and using those vocabulary words.  In addition to this, I am also in my second semester of ESL course work to complete my endorsement.  So, you combine these two idea's together, and boy is my PE world different!  It's good.....mostly good anyway!  Warning: This is a pretty serious blog post!
    What I'm realizing quickly is how little attention I gave my ELL students.  This was definitely not intentional, I just didn't realize the importance of helping them.  All students, regardless if they are ELL or not, need to have academic vocabulary.  After shadowing our district ESL instructional coach for a day, I had my eyes opened to the importance of this.  A statement that stuck with me was "the students language must grow, so that their reading skills can grow."  Wow.  This is powerful, and true! 
   So, my thought process has shifted a little bit.  Never, ever, ever will I think that movement is not important in PE.  After all, PE=Physical Education!  But, I'm starting to see how we as PE teachers, need to not only teach our students TO move, but we also need to teach them WHY we move the way we do, and HOW we move the way we do.  I believe there is a fine line between movement without purpose, and movement with learning.  It's hard to find that line, at least for me.  To "toot" my own horn just a little bit, a couple of weeks ago and instructional coach from our district came into my gym.  After a discussion she said, your TEACHING your students, not just COACHING them.  That has stuck with me, and motivated me even more.  I want to make sure when we are working on our basketball skills that we are learning EVERYTHING we can about it.  After all, who wants to play basketball, but not able to explain what it means to dribble or shoot?  Facts are important too. Right?  But, if we are teaching the facts, we are taking away from movement.  But, by teaching these facts are we encouraging future movement?  Maybe? Probably?  I think we are.  In addition, we are making these students better.  Better physically, better cognitively, and better communicators.  All of these three things are pretty darn important.  I guess the tricky part for me is figuring out how to get all of this done.  I have worked pretty hard at accomplishing this in the last couple of weeks.
   We are almost done with our basketball unit.  I am confident my students (most) can not only show you HOW to dribble, pass, and shoot, but they also can tell you WHY.  They also can define and describe these words.  They also can use them in sentences.   We have worked hard on having little "chats" where I ask them to talk to their team about different parts of the game. I also make them answer using the vocabulary word in their sentence.  Finally, I think they can tell you a little bit of history about basketball (see examples below).  In the future, they can hopefully be confident in their knowledge of basketball, and hopefully use it as a way to stay healthy!  If this happens, then I did my job.
    I decided to dig deep into our basketball knowledge.  I found an article about basketball online that was kid friendly.
 https://docs.google.com/document/d/1pQJ6BPrCdSlz70lMDbfruYRcWK6gmT10j1-nWBhvpsg/edit?usp=sharing 
      I selected a paragraph and made it a google doc.  I projected it on the wall, and allowed my students about 5-8 minutes to read it over and take notes, using their ipads.  There were exceptions made, and I had to read the article a few times to some students.  I reminded them the importance of what good notes look like.  Then, I had them bring their ipads back to class.  Their assignment, using only their notes, they needed to describe what they had read.  I have a couple ELL students in 4th grade, whom I made sentence starters for.  I also allowed a couple lower level readers the option of using my sentence starters.   I quickly found, that most of the students could have benefited from the sentence starters.  Overall, this assignment went well.  Did we miss out on some minutes of movement, yes we did.  But, did we learn a little bit more about basketball? Yes.  Did we see, hear, read, write and DO?  Yep, we did. 
    I still have some work to do, but I am okay with this "different" PE world.  It's tough.  I still believe in movement, it HAS to happen for our students to be successful and healthy.  But, we can "teach" them a little more as well.

A few examples of my amazing students work!

 

4th Grader

     Basketball is the only major sport that is completely American in origin.the

first professional league was the national basketball league,which formed

in 1898.the first teams emerged in the northeast in the turn of the 20th

century.these teams were instrumental in developing the game.

introducing key elements such as the bounce pass and the free throw

following a foul.basketball was invented in 1891 by Naismith.

5th Grader
 Basketball is a amazing sport. It is the only major sport that is completely American origin. A smart man named Naismith invented basketball in 1891. They have basketball court every were even out side. Chicken wire and rope was placed around the courts to separate the players and fans. The first pro teams emerged in the turn of the 20th century. Nowadays the pro teams are named the NBA which stands for national basketball asoshuets (association).

4th Grader

First, I learned that the only sport that was completely American in Oigin was

basketball. Second, basketball was invented in 1891 by Naismith. Third, in the 20th

century the first professional teams came from the northeast. Next, the professional

teams introduced the bounce pass and the chess pass as well. Finally, back then in the

basketball games the basketball teams had to put a fence to keep the fans and the teams

sepreacted probably so the fans won't get hurt with the ball.


Ell Students using sentence starters.  They are also working with a student who can speak Spanish and English fluently.

 

 


Get connected.  Check out Google Drive.  Keep on making a difference!

AB

Chatter world!

     It's Saturday, and I'm blogging!  I managed to use every spare minute I had this week to do things other than blogging!  So here I am.  My older son is at basketball practice, so I decided this was the perfect time.  Watching College Game Day (rock chalk) and reflecting on a great week of teaching!
  
   The last time I blogged, I talked about opening up our Basketball unit, with focus on dribbling!  We continued and wrapped up this part of our unit this week.  I have worked really hard on having my kids "talk."  I have touched on this in a few other blogs, but it's a game changer.  I was skeptical at first, but it's changing my world.  When I combine this "talking" with technology, my PE world is expanding.....and I like it.  I'm honestly seeing my students learn more.  Seems crazy to me, talking=learning more? Now if I can just conquer assessments!  Eeek....still struggling with that, it's a little blurry to me...but I'm seeing it a little more clear each day!
   Okay, so our last lesson on dribbling the basketball.  It was a two day lesson, including the use of ipads (shocking, right). 
Wednesday and Thursday: Today I am using my ipad to assess my dribbling skills, so that I can see what I know.  I'll know I've got when I score at least a 3 on all of the assessment questions.  This was the objective I gave my students.  This lesson was for 1st-5th grade.  I'll explain how I watered it down a bit for 1st grade.  Everyone brought their ipads to PE starting on Wednesday.  After a quick warm up, I asked the students to find a partner.  Their assignment for day one was simple, have your partner record you for 20 seconds dribbling with your right hand and left hand.  In addition, they needed three pictures dribbling with each hand.  1st-5th grade all were able to do this.  Something happens when the students know they are on camera, they seem to concentrate a little bit more on what they are doing. 

 

1st grade students working hard!

       Day two of the lesson, the students returned with their ipads.  There were a few students who had not been there the day before, so I quickly caught them up by making quick videos with them.   I prepared for this unit by using Google docs and QRstuff.com.  I knew I wanted the students to have access to the questions they had to answer, without giving them a worksheet!  Google Docs allows you to type a document and create a link.   This is a VERY easy process, if you haven't checked out Google Docs, do it now.  It's a game changer.  When you have a link, you have what you need to make a QR code.  Simple.  Useful.  Makes everything a little easier.  I also wanted my kids to be able to have the scoring rubric at their finger tips.  I wanted to them to self assess after all!  (By the way, I will attach the Google docs at the bottom of this. Feel free to use them).  So I made the questions and the rubric into a QR code.  This means that when they walk in the gym, they can quickly scan them and BOOM they have them on their device to use when they need.  I was impressed how some of the Students used them, you'll see in a minute.  When they walked into the gym, here is what they saw projected on the wall:

Dribbling Assessment

1.  Answer the questions about dribbling using an app of your choice.  You must include a video or picture of yourself dribbling.

2.  You are working ON YOUR OWN

3.  When you are done, you must show your work to Mrs. Baugh or Mr. Castillo

 



I quickly read the questions out loud, and then told them to get work! Every five minutes, I had the students stand up and do jumping jacks or burpees' for 45 seconds -1 minute!  Brain Breaks! :)

      Before I show you some of the awesome, creative work my students turned in, I want to share what I did with first grade!  I still had them bring their ipads back.  While setting on their homebase, I instructed them to watch their video three times.  Then, the same questions that the older students got from the QR code, were displayed on the wall.  I asked the question, then had them view their video looking for that particular item.  Example: Where your eyes up most of the time? Never? All the time?  Would you give yourself a 1?  2?  3?  4?

Here are the links to my rubric and to the questions the students had to answer.  Notice I threw in the question about how they "feel" when they are dribbling.  This was a great reflective tool for me, this allows me to see what students are confident, and who needs extra attention.
Rubric
Dribbling Questions

     When reflecting on this lesson, I should have set this up on Showbie, so that I didn't get so many emails with assignments. 

Check out this students work!  I love that he recorded his voice!  He was so upset he forgot to record his score!  He decided on a 3, because he had some trouble with control, but he did do what was asked.  Adobe Voice 

 

      Throughout the next week, I will ask all the students to show me their work.  Then I will be giving them a grade (1-4) based on their dribbling skills and effort to complete the assignment!

 

   This week we have a Elementary PE all day inservice.   It's always good to meet with my colleagues.  We have some big time work ahead of us, but I am ready to tackle it! 

 

AB

 

P.S.  Get connected.  Get involved.  Twitter is a fantastic place to start!

 

 

 

Basketball world and so much more!

       Ahhhhh.....did you hear that?  That was a sigh of relief, I just got observed.  I actually didn't even realize it was my year!  Thank goodness we are just beginning one of my very favorite units, basketball.  I was far from a basketball player (I was a cheerleader during that season) but I still know enough to make me dangerous!  Roooccckkkkk Chhhhalllllkkk.....sorry, I got off track! :)
   Today was day one of the basketball unit.  I break this unit down over about a months time.  There is just so much to be taught/learned!   This week we are focusing on dribbling the basketball.  Today's specific focus was how we use our hand to dribble.  I of course wanted to incorporate a little bit of technology (just another way to get my point across).  I also wanted to make sure we were doing ALOT of dribbling! I have mentioned before how during a pervious observation by our district administration team, I was told how important it was to have the kids talking.  I know, I know, it almost seems like counter productive.  It's not. 
   I started the unit by talking about all the different aspects we would be covering in basketball.  Then we focused in on today's task, using our hand correctly to dribble the ball.  I found a picture on google docs of a cartoon-ish man dribbling the basketball.  I opened it up in Google Drive, which then allowed me to open it up in Notability on my ipad.  This allowed me to draw on my image, and help the students to better understand what they needed to do!  After this quick little lesson, (I left it up on the wall, using airserver and my projector) we moved on to putting our knowledge into action!
Each student got a ball, and their instructions were to dribble the ball with whichever hand they wanted to.  (After we talked about how the ball looks when we need to be "quiet," between our feet on the floor).   I played music, they dribbled, I walked around and observed.  After stopping the music I reminded them that they shouldn't be making noise with their hand on the ball (slapping).  Then we did it all again.  After a few minutes, I told them to "chat" with a neighbor about what they think it takes to be an all star at dribbling.  After about a minute, I quickly asked for some answers.  The the kids dribbled some more, thinking about "what it takes."   I am always amazed, that with the right management skills, I can get the students to refocus after our "chats."  My next instructions were to use their other hand to dribble.  After a few minutes, I asked them which hand was easier?  Then I had them chat with their neighbor about why the hand was easier. (Remember, our chats are never more than one minute, usually about 30 seconds).  Of course, most of them said the first hand they used was easier, because that's the hand they right their name with.  YEAH!  This lead me to tell them the importance of learning to dribble effectively with both hands! Next, I had them evaluate each other.  Watch your partner dribble for 30 seconds, when the music shuts off, tell your partner one thing they rocked at, and one thing they need to work on to be like Billy (he was the guy on the airserver that we critiqued).  After both partners had their chance, we then put into action what our partner said!  IT WENT GREAT!!!! 

Here is a picture of the fun!

One of my weaknesses is accessing my students.  It's haaaarrrrdddddd!  I discovered an awesome way to assess...guess where I discovered it.....TWITTER!!!!  I immediately knew, I was going to make it my own!  We discussed it today, and I had the kids tell me where they thought they measured! 


I need to share more with you about our VIP's at our staff hockey game, but I gotta go!  Back to doing my dream job, yep this is pretty darn close to my dream job....more about that later!

G.E.T. C.O.N.N.E.C.T.E.D.

AB

Hockey Hype at Linn!

     We are in our second week of hockey at Linn!  What fun we are having.  Each year when I plan this unit, I remind myself of the "chaos" that sometimes comes with it.  Especially for my little's.  Just when I start to consider planning a different unit for the K-1st graders, I am reminded that they actually do learn from it!  Who knows, maybe that first grader will someday remember that they played hockey and decided to play it as part of a healthy lifestyle!  Adapt, adapt adapt, that's how hockey works for K-1st!  Every lesson is adapted to suit their needs/abilities (also my sanity).  As you read through my plans below, remember "adapt to meet your students needs."  (I will also try to explain my adaptations)!
     The weekend before beginning my unit, I decided to hop on the internet and search for some additional lead up activities for my hockey unit.  I seriously spent less than an hour researching and came up with TONS of new ideas!  I was quite excited.  So, excited that I created a "note" on my phone just for Hockey! 
     Our unit kicked off by focusing on safety.  Definitily a requirement for hockey!  We discussed proper hand placement, keeping the blade down, etc.  Then I put out a lot of different sized cones, and challenged the students to move their sticks safely around the cones.  Eventually we added yarn balls (no plastic pucks for a long time).  I increased the challenge for my older students (Thank you PE Central) by giving all of them 5 points to start.  If any part of their body or stick touched a cone, or a person, they took a point away.  After a few minutes, I quizzed on how many points everyone had.  It was a great lesson!

     After a couple of days of activities centered around the safety concept, we did a little class quiz to start the day.  I found a worksheet on PE central that was about how to hold the hockey stick.  I saved the link and opened it on my ipad using the EDUCREATIONS app.  This allowed me to draw on the worksheet. So, I put it up on the projector (using air server to make my ipad "talk" to my laptop).   Suddenly, I had engaged students who couldn't wait to tell me which person was gripping their hockey stick correctly.  I did this for ALL grades!  We spent less than five minutes on this, before moving on to shooting goals! 

    I wanted the kids to be moving.  I set up several buckets around the gym.  I should say, I laid several buckets on their sides against the wall.  I instantly had 20+ goals around the gym.  The music played....they dribbled.  Music shut off, then shot goals!  What I quickly discovered, is we didn't talk about accuracy.....the definition....how important it is......you get the back!  Brakes on, time to back track!
   So I got out my cup stacking cups....don't shreak....no harm was done to them!  I put them out all over the floor.  Simple lesson, accuracy.  The students were instructed to aim for a cup and attempt to move it with their "puck" (ball).  I also encouraged my students to "chat" with their shoulder buddies about what is more important in accuracy, speed or aim?  (I will do another blog post about getting your kids talking.....scary sounding, I know). 

    After several days, I created a SOCRATIVE quiz for all grades.  K-1st grade did not bring theiripads to take the quiz, instead I read the questions (projected on the wall, using airserver) and we voted as a class for the correct answer.  2nd-5th grade took the quiz on their own.  It was a short quiz, the final question was open-ended.  What does the work teamwork mean in hockey?  I was impressed by their answers.  Additionally, TEAMWORK is one of our key Vocabulary words!

 



   At this point we were ready to combine some elements for a lesson.  Insert Hockey "Mad ball."  All the yarn balls scattered in the middle of the gym.  Two teams.  Music starts, you are trying to get as many pucks (yarn balls) into the goal before the music shuts off.  Again, K-1st did this, but I left out "as many goals as you can," instead I inserted "shoot goals."  Works.  Today we did the same thing, just added the role of a "goalie."  Awesomeness.  Kids leave the gym dripping sweat.  More importantly, they may have found something to keep them active and healthy.  Check! :)
   One Wed. a month (maybe more, I'm not exactly sure), we have late starts.  Which means I only get the kids for 20 minutes instead of 25. Which really means I only get them for 15 minutes once we get in/out and settled.  So, perfect day for a ipad assignment.  I found a student friendly ice hockey highlight video on YouTube.  I made it in to a QR code, because there is no better way to get info. on the students ipads quickly than by using QRAFTER!  I also made a GOOGLE DOC with simple instructions, (made this into a QR code as well) watch the video, get with your team, and use whatever app you want to tell me (typing, speaking, acting) two things you saw in the video that looked familier to what we are doing in hockey!  I was impressed by the variety of apps that students used to CREATE!!!  YEAH!!!  When using the ipads, creating is one of the BEST things you can have your students do!  Allow them to be CREATIVE!!!

 

 

 

 

     I also had a student use ADOBE VOICE!  Awesome, still pretty new to me, new enough that I was not able to figure out how to get a link of his video!  I'll learn though and share soon!

  

  Okay, still have a few more hockey lessons to share, but the bell is about to ring and it's FRIDAY!!!!!  Have an awesome weekend!  Move, learn, create!  GET CONNECTED, it's the most convenient professional development EVER!!!


AB :)

My world is so rewarding!

     Last year as part of our Tiered Instruction (district Wide) I worked with Mrs. B's 5th grade classroom.  She and I worked together to come up with ipad projects for my group to do.  This summer I attended a Project Based Learning workshop.  So, fast forward to this year, and I am back working with Mrs. B.'s 5th graders during tiered instruction.  Basically, this means I spend about 30-45 minutes a few days a week, enriching these students minds.  What a privilege, right?  I think so.  Last year I started what I hope to be a tradition at Linn Elementary.  I do a hockey unit in the time between Thanksgiving and Christmas break (usually about 3 weeks).  As most educators know, this time of the year is rough....for everyone, kids and teachers!  The teachers just got a tease of a break and cannot wait for the next one, and the kids have to be peeled off the ceiling each day, or awaken from their deep sleep!  So, I decided to have a staff hockey game, where the student can watch (and correct) the skills they have been working on.  In addition, they also can earn VIP seats for this game, by meeting a certain criteria.  Insert, my 5th Grade Tiered Instruction kids.  I wanted to challenge them, make them learn from "doing."  I served as the guide, asked them meaningful questions, otherwise they "drove the car."
      Their task?  Figure out the criteria for VIP's, figure out how they want to market it to students and teachers, and how they would distribute it.  We worked on this for about 6-8 days.  It was amazing to watch leaders emerge, strategies to form, and behaviors rise up.  They not only did well, they excelled!  They made an iMovie (figuring out who would play what part, where they would record it) about the three behaviors they felt were deserving of the title of VIP.  They then realized they needed a way to get this out to the teachers.  Offering a little guidance, we came up with using QR codes!  So, with a little of my help, (logging into a secure Youtube account) they made their imovie a QR code.   Then they decided each teacher would need a flyer, and each "pod" would need a poster.  Awesome.  Rewarding.  Great kids!

Sorry, no PE today, just awesome students, doing awesome things!
Stay tuned for a massive Hockey post....it's coming! After 5 days of hockey, we did a quick "knowledge/vocab" quiz today, using an app called Socrative.  WONDERFUL!

Have a great weekend!  ROCK CHALK!
AB

Fun Frisbee world!

   I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  The Baugh's certainly did!  It was a fantastic little break, I loved spending time with my little family, as well as both of our extended families!
   Before we went to break, we continued with our Throw/Catch unit.  We added in the use of Frisbee's!  It was awesome!  We did this for three days, next year (or maybe even this Spring) we are going to do a full unit....maybe two weeks!  I love it when a unit works across all age levels, and this one did for sure!  I quickly discovered that  few of my Kinder students could throw the Frisbee as well (or maybe even better) than some of the older students!

   The pictures will give you a better idea of this all worked.  The first two days, I set up 15-16 targets for the students.  They were then divided into groups of three (a couple groups of 4).  There were three different targets, and we used my handy dandy red line as our throwing point!  I pulled out Large cones and set a ball on the top, with the idea of the Frisbee throw knocking the ball off the cone.  Another station was a hula hoop, simply attempting to throw the Frisbee and have it land in the hula hoop.  The last one (and my favorite) was the big blue buckets. (I buy them at Walmart, they are the best equipment storage/multi use containers I have).  The goal was to throw the Frisbee, have it bounce off the wall and into the bucket.  I then played music, and had the students rotate about every two minutes.  The kids loved it!  We talked about "fitness" (one of our key vocab words) and how you can be active and fit by doing a variety of things.  I helped them realize that although it seemed like they were just "having fun," they were also quite active! :) 

 

 

   The assessment part of this lesson came on day two.  We eliminated the cone and hula hoops.  Now, we were just using the blue buckets.  I had each class bring in two ipads (we have 8 teams, so two teams per ipad).  Now we had a contest (also a show of skills, but they didn't realize that).  Each team was attempting to score points by 1. hitting the bucket with the Frisbee, 2. bouncing it off the wall into the bucket, 3. just making it directly into the bucket.  I used an app call COUNTER UP (very simple, and of course free) as a scoreboard.  Each student was in charge of putting in their own score.  As long as AIRSERVER allowed, I had all ipads on the wall using the projector.  The competition level was HIGH!  This allowed me to walk around and take notice of who was throwing the right way, who was working as a team, and who was being honest when recording their scores!  It was great!!


   Sorry for the short blog today! I am finishing up my ESL work for my night class!  We started hockey this week, I have lots of plans and lots of use of technology!  I promise I will share soon!!

Get connected!
AB

Oh my Stars, they are creative!

    It's been a fantastic week of learning and moving at Linn Elementary!  We are still working on throwing/catching/hand eye coordination.  We started the week by doing a simple toss/catch sequence that I found on.....wait for it.....TWITTER!  One of the amazing PE teachers I follow on there posted a link to a video showing 20 (20!!!!) different tossing/catching sequences for students to use.  In addition to the awesome hand/eye coordination, the students also had to memorize the sequence that was given.  Example: Toss/clap front/Catch.  All grade levels seemed to enjoy it.  This also gave my co-worker and I the opportunity to assess the students hand/eye coordination.  Here is the link to the awesome video! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=PAD0Gb7ojds&feature=youtu.be
    A few years ago I taught with a girl who was fresh out of college.  She had an activity called Quarter Stations that she had done while student teaching!  Talk about collaboration with "regular" classrooms, this activity has it!  There are nine stations set up around the gym.   Since it's called quarter stations, the students must do each exercise/activity 25 times (or for 25 seconds).  After they complete each station, they come and get their "quarter."  (I use tokens that I have a bunch of).  The challenge for the students is to see how money they can earn in the given time.  With about five minutes left in class, I have them return to their homebase and count their money!  I love doing this activity, and use it several times a year!

    As you all know, I am a techny nerd.  A week wouldn't be complete without the use of technology/ipads.  Still working on our PBL project, we focused on sugar content.  The students were told to find five foods they would like to eat.  Then, they used Educreations to write down the name of the food, and how much sugar was in it.  After they finished, they took a screen shot to use as their research.  After everyone finished this task, I had them scan a QR code I had created.  This lead them to a PADLET (very cool computer too to use for collaboration).  I had the padlet prepared with their first question- How much sugar did you eat?   After I saw the answers appearing on my screen (it's cool like that), I was able to continue questioning those who were ahead.  I told them that they were suppose to have near 32grams of sugar in a day.  They had to figure out their difference (if they went over, which most did).  They took this difference and multiplied it by two, giving them the number of pushups or setups (their choice) to do. 
   I selected a 5th grade class earlier this week to do a special project.  Why not have students plan what they learn?!?  We discussed what the SHAPE national standards were, and what each of them meant.  I then divided the students into groups and assigned them a standard to research.  After using their ipads to research, they were asked to create an instructional video teaching their standards.  I reminded them to be creative.....they blew me away!  They are still working on them, but I will definitely post them later!  I really feel the other students are going to be thrilled to learn from kids in their school!  Exciting!

     This was one of those weeks where I was reminded that I am doing what I love.  Seeing those 5th graders get excited over knowing the standards was awesome.  Watching them use technology as a vehicle makes me giddy inside!  Technology doesn't have to be something that makes us lazy, it can also be something that makes us move, makes us think, and makes us create!
    
If you are not connected, you are disconnected!!!!  It's doesn't have to run your life, you don't have to spend hours on twitter to benefit.  Honestly, 10 minutes each night will suffice!

Rock Chalk!

 

(even after the meltdown on Tuesday),
AB