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Meredith's Thoughts
How will you go about reinforcing the consistency you wish to see in
your classroom? One way I go about reinforcing the consistency I want to see in my classroom is by constantly reinforcing procedures and classroom rules to students. If the procedures are not consistently reinforced to students, they will not be followed. I found that having to reteach procedures when needed it important as well. After Hurricane Matthew, students returned to school and were not following procedures. It was like the first day of class all over again. I realized in order for the procedures to be followed, reteaching them was necessary.
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The end of this chapter suggests that trying to develop our inner authority can be a “trial by fire,” a steep learning curve. How true is that for you? What next steps do you want to take?
This statement is very true for me. I have to remember to stand my ground and be consistent when it comes to classroom procedures and rules. At the end of the first semester, I found myself becoming more lenient about students not dressing out for physical education class, which is a PE department procedure. When the new semester started, I had a personal goal to really crack down on students following the procedures each class period. Another procedure students seemed to always break was using PE equipment when I was giving instruction. For example, if I was giving instruction on the next activity there was always a student playing with the equipment when they were not supposed to distracting others. Something different I have done this semester with my new group is develop whistle cues for students to follow. When I blow my whistle one time, the students know they can begin their activity and are free to use the equipment. When I blow my whistle twice, students know they are expected to freeze and place the equipment on the ground. If the students continue to play with the equipment they are asked to place the equipment back up and they do not get to use the equipment for the next activity. Being firm and standing my ground with this procedure is crucial when it comes to managing 30+ students in a physical education setting safely. Describe your favorite teacher.
My favorite teacher would have to have been my 8th grade history teacher, Mrs. Stryker. Mrs. Stryker was a selfless, compassionate, inspiring woman who showed her students endless love and kindness. She showed this love to every student and would bend over backwards for each of them. It was very easy to see she genuinely cared about her students through her actions such as showing up at sporting events after school to cheer on her students. Mrs. Stryker was one of the many reasons I inspired to become a teacher growing up. Her passion for students' success and teaching live long lessons are just a few of the reasons I look to her as a role model. How can we help our students practice more appropriate behavior and how can we foster, support, and appreciate their positive choices?
We can help students practice more appropriate behavior by demonstrating and explaining the behavior we want to see. When students know and understand how they are supposed to act, teachers can hold them to a high standard. One thing I have done this semester with my Physical Education students is have them create an anchor chart on what "responsibility" means, says, does, and does not do. Each class was asked to come up with ideas to write in each category. Once completed, I hung the chart on the wall the students walk by each day. The students are reminded of the characteristics of being responsible they came up with and are expected to demonstrate those characteristics. Each day I remind the students to be responsible, respectful, and kind. By creating the chart, the students know exactly what I mean and expect. When students make positive choices I verbally praise them for it or give them small rewards, such as a peppermint or a sticker. Make a list of the changes you would like to make, putting them in priority order. Decide on one class or situation with which you would like to begin. Write about how and when your would like to implement your first step.
I plan on implementing my first step at the beginning of my next unit for all my physical education classes(this coming Thursday). One issue that I seem to constantly have is students not sitting or standing still at the beginning of the lesson. However, this is not their fault. The students are excited to be in PE and are ready to start moving. Implementing quick fast paced energizers that get the students up and moving as soon as we break off as a class will help cut down on the fidgeting during teacher instruction (Hopefully!!). What are appropriate ways in which your caring can be expressed in the classroom? What are inappropriate ways? What evidence could students provide to demonstrate that you are positively connecting to them in appropriate ways?
One way we as teachers can show we care about students is to incorporate their interests into the classroom. As a middle school physical education teacher, I try to incorporate as many sports and lifetime fitness units into my curriculum as possible. At the beginning of the semester, I had my students write down a sport they would like to learn more. After tallying up the results, I took the top three sports and incorporated them into my curriculum. Keeping students interested in lessons is important to keeping their motivation. However, there are also inappropriate ways. One of these ways is becoming a friend instead of a teacher. As a teacher, we are their mentor and not their best friend. Evidence a student positively connects with their teacher in an appropriate way is by actively engaging in class. What procedures are important for your students to understand in order for them to succeed in your classroom?
To be successful in my classroom, students need to remember the following procedures:
How do you feel when you have to say “no” to a student?
I have no problem when saying no to a student. However, what does seem to bother me is the "WHY?!" When reading the text, one statement that made me laugh was "Students seem to have argue built into their genetic code" (page 57). The dreadful why and the argue that follows seems to be the most famous result to a "No" in my physical education class. What works best for you as a means of countering the stress?
One thing that works best for me as a means of countering stress is a walk. When I am stressed, I like to take a minute to step back from the situation, take a deep breath, and take a walk. This not only clears my head, but allows me to see the situation clearer. Another means of countering stress is allowing yourself some "you time". As a new teacher it seems hard to find that “me time”. However, this time is crucial. Over working yourself can cause more stress. Reflecting on lessons can be another means of countering stress. After each lesson I look out the outcome of the lesson and see if it matches with my desired outcome. If it did, then reflected on what worked and why it worked. If it did not, then I ask myself what I can change or modify to achieve the outcome I want. Chapter 4: ask for helpWhat are the most important qualities of any teacher?
I believe that the most important qualities for an efficient physical education/health teacher are being flexible, organized, patient, consistent, and enthusiastic. As a physical educator, your teaching environment can change in a matter of seconds (i.e. poor weather, school assembly, etc.). Having a backup lesson plan is extremely important so that you are prepared for these situations. Being organized is an important quality for any teacher to have. Being unorganized can cause unneeded stress on a teacher. Having a filing system for things such as graded papers or important documents is extremely crucial. The next important quality I think every teacher should attain is patience. Each student will not be at the same skill level or at the same level of fitness. Being patient with each student is important because it not only shows the student that you care but also shows that you want to see them succeed. Being consistent is extremely important as a physical educator. Rules and procedures seem to be pushed to their limits when it comes to exploratory classes. Staying consistent is a must! Finally, enthusiasm is a must, especially for physical education! Students get just as excited as you do for a new activity. If you address your class dull and uninterested, you will get the same results from your students. |
AuthorFirst year Physical Education and Health Teacher at Forestbrook Middle School. Archives
March 2017
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