February 14, 2023<\/b><\/p>\n
Observations<\/b><\/p>\n
Today I watched a physical education class. The students played a four-team soccer game in the gym that they were excited about. I also got to help lead a basketball practice. She also introduced information for my lesson plan at the end of the day and explained what she wants me to do for next week.<\/span><\/p>\n For PE, she chose the four-team soccer game because it gives students a lot of fitness and they seem to find it exciting. She explained to me some of the struggles she observes in students and how she will mark them on the proficiency scale based on their performance. Several of the girls were walking around and chatting instead of playing, so she said they will have to receive emerging for this activity. She also told me how she noticed certain students who were stuck in their heads and too anxious to properly engage in the game. These students played, but they didn\u2019t put in as much effort as they could. I don\u2019t remember her telling me her strategy for helping kids with this. She also pointed out to me that some kids with learning disabilities also have mobility issues and find it more challenging to run in games like this.<\/span><\/p>\n In the basketball practice, she let me help facilitate a small group with another teacher. The girls were practising shooting baskets because their main shooter was away and most of the girls are not confident to shoot. They often pass the ball to other players instead of aiming for the basket themselves. She told them that she just wants them to shoot in games. \u201cThis is middle school. I don\u2019t care if you miss, but I want to see you each at least try to score the ball on your own.\u201d She did not want them to only rely on their top shooters.<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Reflections<\/b><\/p>\n I found it interesting how much the students loved the four-team soccer game. I noticed the teacher chose that game deliberately because the students would like it. This works well with meeting students where they are at rather than forcing them into activities they won\u2019t enjoy. This is closer to student-led education (in a way) than what I observed in her class previously.<\/span><\/p>\n I liked the way she encouraged them to believe in their shooting abilities rather than relying on individual players. This encouraged all students to try, and it let them believe in themselves. I know as kids grow up, many believe they \u201cjust are not athletes\u201d and are afraid to try new sports. Encouraging all students to try might help combat this risk and benefit the health of children as they grow into their teen years.<\/span><\/p>\n I also appreciated her concern for students with disabilities and am grateful she pointed this out to me. This aligns with my Exceptional Education (EDUC 310) course by making activities inclusive for all students and noticing difficulties instead of shaming students. She assessed students in PE according to effort and paying attention more than physical skill.<\/span><\/p>\n When I saw the girls who were unengaged, I wondered what is behind this. Were they bored? Were they falling into peer pressure? Were they embarrassed about not being good at sports? Were they anxious? Did they not respect the teacher? I want to think through ways I can motivate students like these to engage and find material relevant and exciting enough to participate. I noticed these girls liked art. I wonder if there is a creative element that might attract them more to PE. I want PE to be a safe space where students can try hard with minimal fear of being teased or called out if they make mistakes.<\/span><\/p>\n It has been nice to also take the time to get to know a few students individually. This is connected to one of my practicum goals. I value knowing students, so I am aiming to ask at least one student to remind me of their name each week and get to know about their personality.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" February 14, 2023 Observations Today I watched a physical education class. The students played a four-team soccer game in the gym that they were excited about. 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