Expect the Unexpected: Inclusion

“An inclusive physical education environment is one which provides the opportunity for students of all abilities and interests to participate with their peers.” (Saskatchewan Curriculum 2010)

Inclusion…Hmm. How? Why?

                                                                                                       YouTube

Thanks to my sister, Haley George, for posting this video on my Facebook wall. This video helps people, and myself, better understand why inclusion is so important and how inclusion benefits all.

For most teachers we worry about accommodating for inclusion off all young movers. Well my answer is; allow for opportunities. Just like Jason’s Basketball story. Without his coach giving the opportunity for Jason to play, Jason would not have been able to feel the same amount of success just sitting on the sidelines. The Saskatchewan Curriculum 2010 suggests that “inclusion recognizes the inherent value, dignity, and worth of each student, and reduces perceived differences amoung students.” This statement is a prime example for Jason’s story. Jason was worthy of playing in the game, he gained dignity as the whole audience goes crazy after each 3 pointer, and for those moments on the court Jason was not perceived as ‘different’ Jason was just a young boy scoring baskets at a game. Opportunities like these can only be given to students by the teacher or, in this case, the coach.

Teachers need to provide these opportunities of successful achievement and active moving. These opportunities are not just given for those students who may have disabilities but it is also given to students who may not. With a variety of instructional strategies and opportunities all can benefit.

The only way any teacher will know how to teach in a physical education setting with students with ‘disabilities’ (The reason for the quotes is because I believe no child has a disability; that word is too negative. Children have challenges that can be overcome) is to gain experience in them. Becoming familiar with these challenges and knowing the student’s strengths, interests and abilities all teachers can make physical education positive and active for all.

What challenges do you fear about inclusive physical education?

Keeping Active: Dance

So, as usual I have my ritual of watching Ellen DeGeneres and today I witnessed physical education at its finest. Aunt Carol who’s welcomed onto to The Ellen Show after Ellen saw her dancing Hip Hop on YouTube.  (Watch the video to see Aunt Carol Hip Hop)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V755gIgP700

Now many would say dancing is not a part of Physical Education. Well I beg to differ. It is stated in the Saskatchewan EducationCurriculum that students in grade nine demonstrate body management activities and lists dance as one way of demonstrating this. This clip inspired me to think about dance differently. If Aunt Carol can keep dancing and keep healthy, than so can students in the classroom. (or in this case the gymnasium) So why not incorporate dance as part of Physical Education? I don’t see how this would be a problem to any Physical Education classrooms, do you? Let's try it!

What is Physical Education?

What is Physical Education? Is it developing skills for lifelong fitness, building relationships through the social activities, or building a sense of self, community and place? I believe it to be all three.

As I read through the curriculum documents I see that the above three areas (lifelong learners, sense of self, community, and place, and engaged citizens through building relationships) as broad areas of learning that students are supposed to learn as they go through their Physical Education careers. I have learned that in many cases this is not true.

Take for example in some cases many physical education class experiences involve dodge ball, the common sports (volleyball, basketball, badminton, and track and field), and capture the flag. But physical education is much more than that.

Physical Education has to be about developing important skills, strategies, and tactics that can be transferred to a variety of contexts.

Physical Education has to be about developing a balanced self. Being continued healthy individuals, making for healthy families and communities.

Physical Education has to be about enhancing personal well-being of self and others, by contributing to social, cultural and environmental activities.

Now all these ideas are great!  The problem comes to actually initiating them in any teacher’s physical education class whether it in Kindergarten or Grade Twelve. It is important to involve all these broad areas of learning so the next generation can have positive lifestyles.

Inspire

YouTube
I find this man so inspirational! Hope one day my difference can be like the one he has on students and people.

First Day of Classes 2012

Well first day of classes for 2012 and one of the busiest for sure! My new EPE 310 class runs for 5 pm until 8:50 pm. (Elementary School Physical Education for those who do not know what EPE stands for) I thought this class would drag on and on but today we had a lot of fun. We were taught how to cram into a one min speech our memories of our physical education experiences. It was good to hear about how others remember physical education and comparing it to your own. Sometimes I wonder if physical education is conveyed properly. Some remembered beep tests, running laps, gymnastics (O the joys of being in a neck brace) sports, yoga, while others remembered dodgeball and capture the flag. No matter our experiences in physical education we will always take them with us when we go teach one day. If we remember something negative about a particular event we might not be so willing to try it in our classrooms, but who knows we might be willing to jump back on that horse and try it again.

Onto some important note taking; there were three activities we played today.                One of which included a noodle passing game in which we laid on the ground head to feet in a linear line and, with a noodle, passed it taking the noodle from our feet up past our bodies onto the next persons feet. This created a lot of excitement, some competitive nature and got great involvement from all of us. The second activity was a Rock, Paper, Scissor competition called ‘Evolution’ having completing multiple stages of success all the way to the other end of the gym challenging those at your stage. If you win the match you move up and if you lose you move down. I really appreciated the respect involved. Before each match you would shake hands say “Good Luck” Rock, Paper, Scissor and high-five saying “Good Game.” This gave losing a battle a positive message. The last activity involved students running from all four corners of the gym into the centre to grab playing cards, all of the same suit from Ace to King. The challenge is having the cards face down and having to flip them over to collect the correct cards. I love the idea of this game being adaptable to all grade levels.

This new class gives us an opportunity to try different areas of social media. (Creating this blog for example) I never would have tried something like this before. I am too scared of writing my thoughts down for everyone to see, but I am challenging myself to try something new. I already had a Twitter account but our professor wants to communicate through this social media which I find fantastic. I can check it on my smart phone and not have to worry about logging onto my computer at home to see new e-mails. I believe this semester is going to be a great one! All us pre service teachers out there, “Let’s Get Er Done!”