Entry 32

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/14/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Today is the first day back to school from our fall break (aka Columbus Day) so we are running a Monday schedule, even though it is Tuesday.
Sports Medicine (2nd, 4th - short periods) - Today I finished up Chapter 6 (Sports Physicals) with notes (PowerPoint) and a short activity; the lesson focused on clearance from a physician. The activity consisted of a compilation of sports (I typed up 32 different sports on a sheet of paper, then cut them into individual sports). After a short discussion about different classifications of contact sports, I distributed 5-7 sports to every pod of students. The pods were asked to discuss each sport and label it as a full contact/collision, limited contact, or non-contact sport. When they were confident with their decisions, 1 member of the group wrote their sports on the board under each category. A class discussion was held to make sure we had an understanding between contact/non-contact sports and the risks associated with each. *Dr. Brenner also joined us for 4th period today - God bless her soul after that class!
PE (5th period) - Because the upper/middle divisions were running a Monday schedule and the Lower division was running a regular Tuesday schedule - there was a small scheduling conflict in the gym. We had to wait about 10 minutes before we could take the court, so I tried to explain to the class (while they were sitting on the bleachers) about the next unit we were getting ready to jump into - Soccer. However, it was super loud in the gym and I think I wasted my time and effort on that one! When the 3rd graders left the gym, we lined up for exercises in our new placements. We also struggled a little through the exercises today - I need to start pondering new exercises to keep them fresh and on target. After exercises, I brought them back to the bleachers to have a better discussion about our new unit. For our pre-assessment, I chose a "hot seat" approach which had its pros and cons (see discussion in reflection). *Dr. Brenner also joined us for this class - she might think we are all crazy now!
AP Stats (6th period) - Started off with a z-score practice Warm-Up as I checked for their homework. As we transitioned into our lesson of the day - Standard Normal Calculations, we practiced solving a few problems using our new "checklist." I never have enough time to get everything done in this class- it is already time to go!
Middle PE (7th) - Dress out, daily exercises as usual. We introduced a new game to the middle division today called Battleship. The class is divided into groups of 5 - 4 people with knees on the mat (battleship) and a runner/retriever. Each group is given 2 bowling pins to protect (can only use your body to shield). At the sound of the whistle, the retriever runs to the middle to collect balls to give to their group. The groups start firing balls at other groups in effort to knock down other groups bowling pins and protect theirs in the process. After each round, the group rotates the runner/retriever. The students absolutely loved this game!

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

Since I had the pleasure of Dr. Brenner joining us today - I will reflect on what she had to offer. Apparently, I'm in such a habit of running chaotic class discussions it is going to be harder than I thought of getting out of that routine. I need to stress to my class that discussions can only enhance the class if every voice is heard (so talking over top of each other is counter-productive). Students to be called on before offering their opinion/suggestion. Another thing that could be altered for better deliverance is the "hot seat" pre-assessment in PE. The purpose was served, but the production needs to be addressed. Instead of having the students raise their hand to answer the question - I think I should incorporate a soccer component - such as raise the ball over their head, pass the ball to the goal, or dribble to a certain place. I like to incorporate movements appropriate the to the unit where possible. Just a suggestion for next time! 

Entry 31

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/7/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Planning and grading as usual - this tends to be the part of the year where I can't catch up if I tried. As always, assessments in all of the classes ended up piling on top of each other and there doesn't seem like enough hours to plan for daily lessons, grade, practice/game, and anything else at the moment. However, I know at some point I will catch up - Winter break.
PE (5th period - long) For once, I didn't get a new student today! The boys and 1 girl performed their daily exercises then waited somewhat patiently for the plans of the day. Today was our last day of working on volleyball skills and I was actually shocked to see the improvement that just came all of a sudden! The serves are finally going over the net and there is also somewhat of a serve receive (or they just don't let the ball hit the ground that easily anymore). After working extensively on our volleyball unit the last few weeks, it is finally amounting to something! And what's even more amazing is that the boys come in everyday excited to play volleyball - I almost feel like it is the new basketball (a reference to the activity that they always want to play and enjoy the most). At the end of class, I let them play a game and so proud of their accomplishments and progression of the game!
7th period (middle - tues/friday) Same exact plans as yesterday. The students came in, dressed out, performed daily activities, and waited for their plans/orders. They are still working on volleyball as well - they were given 3 different ball control activities before they played Newcomb.

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

I had a pretty rough volleyball game last night at Westover (my Varsity team). I wasn't even sure if I wanted to coach volleyball at Carlisle anymore (even though I have been coaching the last 6 years, and the reason I got hired to teach at the school). But for some reason, my PE class sparked my interest for volleyball again with their pure progression and passion for the game. They enjoy learning the game as much as I love teaching it at this point. This is very different from the team I coach where there is no passion, but more of a hobby after school. I'm looking forward to coaching my first club team come this November - but I have my PE class to thank to help keep pushing me forward in my first love - volleyball. 

Entry 30

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/6/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Normal Monday, so I'll meet with all of my classes for 45 minutes each.
Sports Medicine (2nd, 4th - short periods) Today I started with the notes for our new chapter - The pre-participation sports physical. I also assigned an activity to be done in class - I handed each student a copy of the sports physical that Carlisle School uses. Using a highlighter and colored pen, the students were to identify the 9 goals that were discussed in class that all sports physicals should be aiming to provide. At the end of class, we went over the overs and then it was time to be dismissed.
PE (5th short period) We are on our last week of volleyball, but there a few skills that I thought needed improvement. After our daily exercises, we went over serve receive and did multiple drills with this big concept in mind. There was no time for a game, but I believe our skills are starting to improve!
AP Stats(6th short period) Lesson of the day - Density Curves! I went over a few notes and then we solved problems in class. I didn't want us to become dependent on collaborative work, so I assigned the problems as independent work. When everyone was finished, I randomly called on different students to supply part of the answer. At the end of class, I assigned the homework and it is finally lunch time!!
7th (middle school mon/thurs class) After daily exercises, the students waited on the bleachers for instruction. This is the time where I explain what we are going to be doing for the rest of class and what I expect from each student. We are still on our volleyball unit so I explained the ball control drills (partner, group- passing shuttle, and individual relays). After ball control, we played Newcomb using volleyball rotations and boundaries. 

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

I've been working at Carlisle as a teacher for five years now and I think I have been spoiled with small class sizes. Upon reflection, I'm not sure how I would handle a large class size - obviously it would be different than what I'm doing now. I think that is one of the disadvantages I have for not being able to be placed in the public school. It really makes me appreciate my job at Carlisle for having the opportunity to build (appropriate) relationships with each one of my students; I can work a little deeper with the content and explore an array of topics. But a large class size scares me to death (and I graduated from public school!). 

Entry 29

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/3/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Sports Medicine (2nd & 4th long periods) - Today I'm introducing the new chapter - the pre-participation physical examination. So of course, it is activity day! I gave all of my Sports Medicine Students baseline concussion tests today, but because I wanted them to be active in their own learning - I split them up into pairs. This activity took up most of the class period, but before the kids left we had a discussion about the reason behind the screening and why every athlete should have one.
AP Statistics (6th long period) - After I graded their tests, I considered them mediocre. So at the beginning of class, I went over another Free Response example. Then I handed them back their test to go over test corrections. To make sure they were following along, I made them write out solution sets to each Multiple Choice in ink and turn them in. After we went over the test, I started Chapter 2 - Determining Relative Standing in a Distribution. After a few notes, I split up the class into partners and gave each pair a question to work on. After 10 minutes each pair presented their question and solution to the class. Before the class left, I assigned their homework and left for lunch duty - blah.
7th period (middle school PE) - Same routine - dress out, exercise. Volleyball drills and Newcomb. 

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

I have started writing more on the board - as a suggestion from Dr. Brenner. I have noticed that more students are taking notes and I think it is helping with the international barrier. Hopefully text scores will also start to improve. 

Entry 28

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/2/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Planning as usual, but I also had to supervise a few of my students making up my AP Statistics test.

PE - 5th period (long) The students entered into the gym and followed normal procedure - get dressed and waited on bleachers until instructions were given; I also noticed that I have another new student today. I had to abandon my Sports Education Model for this volleyball unit due to the fact of new students joining on a daily basis. The teams never could meet on a normal basis with the same group - so I had to compromise and start teaching the drills myself since I had so many "green" volleyball players. We practiced a few ball control drills but next week I'm really going to have to focus on serve receive - that is our true weakness at the moment. At the end, we played a mini game to 15 which definitely had its ups and downs. 

7th period - (middle school) The students entered into the gym and followed normal procedure - get dressed and waited on bleachers until instructions were given. Then the students went through their normal exercise routine. After the exercises were done, we performed a few volleyball ball controls dills then played Newcomb with even more volleyball rules today (rotating) 

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

During my 5th period PE (upper school), I had my first issue with a disrespectful student. This also happened to be one of my new students who just joined the class - so I was pretty surprised at the timing of his behavior. The student was wearing Beats headphones to class, and when I asked him to take them off he replied with "No." I asked him 3 more times, each time getting more stern and agitated. When I was about to call administration about the issue - he finally took them off. I was not happy with the way it went down. Luckily, he plays on a sports team (basketball) and I informed his coach of the issue. Later that afternoon, they had a mandatory meeting which I was informed that the whole team had to run timed suicides for that 1 particular players actions. At first, I felt a little guilty for the whole team running - but on the bright side, I won't have anymore issues out of that player! He later apologized to me for his actions, hopefully we are all on the same page now. 

Entry 27

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 10/1/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Sports Medicine - (2nd, 4th, long periods) Due to the nature of the students' projects exceeding the minimum time requirement, I had to extend the project presentations going into today. As soon as the students entered the room, they met up with their group and prepared themselves for the impending presentations. Half of the class was devoted to the presentations and I observed that 2nd period was way more prepared than 4th period. I'm aware that I have more students in my 4th period class, but my younger students are in my 2nd period. We had to have a "coming to Jesus" meeting in my 4th period and what expectations and priorities should mean to each student. The second half of class was introducing the next chaper - the pre-participation physical examination. We watched a video on the current issue of the Michigan Quaterback being allowed to participate in a game despite the signs of a concussion after taking a big hit. We discussed the current sports physical and and what we think sports physicals will look like in the future.
AP Stats (6th period) - It's finally Test Day! I supervised the students as they took their test all class period.
7th period (Middle School PE) - the students participated in their daily exercises after they dressed out. I continued with their volleyball unit. So we did a few partner dills and worked our way to whole group activities. At the end we played Newcomb again adding in more volleyball rules than the previous class session. 

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

 I had a tough personal day today and tried to hide it from my students. But to my surprise my students noticed right away that something was off with me today. Because I don't want to share any part of my personal life with my students, I was shocked to see that they showed me compassion and empathy without knowing what was going on. It really made me realize the symbiotic relationship that we have built in the classroom; they feed off of me as much as I feed off of them. 

Entry 26

School Placement: Carlisle School

Cooperating Teacher: Mancino Craighead

Grade(s)/Subject(s) of Placement: 6-12 (Sports Medicine, AP Statistics, PE (6-12))

Date: 9/30/14

Summary of Today’s Activities:

Planning period was successful - the transition between ending chapters and beginning new ones.
PE - 5th period, long : Everyday I come to class, I have a new student added on my roster. I started with 8 students and now I'm up 18; so I've had to adjust my lessons from small class size to medium class size. Because of all of the new students added, I have extended my unit plans to accommodate my whole new class. We are still on volleyball and will now finish it up next week. I had to to go back and revisit a few ball control drills to make sure all of my students had a fair chance to learn the game. At the end of the class period, we go to play a mini game to to put all of our skills to test.
7th - Middle School PE - The kids were at an assembly today, so they missed half of the class by the time they got there. After they dressed out, we went through our normal exercise routine but then added more exercises - including cartwheels, inch worms, and other silly stuff. We also included partner relay exercises. The kids had a lot of fun with just exercising today - makes my heart smile :) 

Reflection about Today’s Activities:

Improvising lesson plans is an essential skill to PE teachers - especially when you are teaching the last class of the day. Most interruptions come during this time frame, but most people don't realize that PE teachers just don't play games the entire class period - there is actually a reason for all of our madness! But instead of throwing a temper tantrum when these interruptions occur - we adjust and make sure the kids benefit the time they are in the class anyways!