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Nov. 8, 2018

Strategies to Boost Students' Activity Level in Class

Often, to implement new strategies that impact students’ physical literacy while also keeping them engaged in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for at least 50 percent of the time they are in physical education, we have to take a look at at how we are using class time. 

For about three weeks, the 2018-19 cohort of the Physical Education Leadership Academy has studied, conducted inquiry, implemented new practices, and identified top ways to rethink class time to increase physical activity. You can try some of these strategies on! Below is a list of the activities that had the greatest impact on classes. You can click the image to download a PDF file of the list.

Paige Metz

Health and Physical Education Coordinator

San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE)

[email protected]

Check Out What SDCOE Has to Offer

The San Diego County Office of Education (SDCOE) Health and Physical Education Professional Learning Schedule has the following offerings still available for 2018-19:

Keep an eye out for new offerings in future newsletters. Also remember, onsite professional learning, consultation, walk-throughs, and coaching are available. Contact Paige Metz for more information.

Physical Education Strand at SDCOE Learning and Innovation Summit with Google

Mark your calendars! The SDCOE Innovation division is hosting a Learning and Innovation Summit Featuring Google in San Diego on Dec. 1. The summit will feature a specific strand to support and discuss the use of technology in physical education and to expose physical educators to tools they can use in their classes. Don’t miss this opportunity! View the flyer and the link to register.

Three-Day Physical Literacy Institute is a Must!

The goal of physical education is to develop students’ physical literacy: the knowledge, skills, fitness, values, and motivation to attain and maintain a healthy lifestyle. It requires a systemic approach to pedagogy that challenges many traditional practices. Join us as we identify learning outcomes, create assessment tools, and plan instruction to empower students with confidence and passion for a lifetime of physical activity. You can sign up now for the spring session of the Three-Day Physical Literacy Institute on Jan. 16, Feb. 12, and March 7.

Choose Your Own Professional Learning at Health and Physical Education I3

Individuals and teams are invited to personalize their professional learning at Health and Physical Education I3: Inquiry, Innovation, and Implementation by selecting a focus area to conduct inquiry, plan innovation, and implement change. On training dates, SDCOE will provide access to resources, consultation, feedback, and support to help individuals and teachers learn, rethink, redesign, and recreate learning opportunities. The four-day session will take place Jan. 29, Feb. 13, March 14, and April 3. Onsite coaching will also be provided between meeting dates.  

 

Continuing Education Focused on Mental Health in Sports

Rady Children’s Hospital is hosting Mental Health in Sports, a continuing education opportunity, from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 1. Presentations will feature topics such as sport diversification versus specialization, how to develop a supportive relationship with your student athlete, depression during recovery, and how to mentally prepare for competition. See the attached flyer for more information. 

Bringing Passion into the Classroom

Alex Cann is a physical education teacher at Wangenheim Middle School who truly walks the talk. 

He participates in Spartan races on the weekends and he brings that obstacle course racing expertise to his classroom. He has tran sformed his physical education class by engaging his students in creative Spartan activities to increase physical activity.  Some of these activities include regular participation in a Spartan course and the implementation of a Spartan race that is a culminating event for students at the end of the year.  

His efforts have not gone unnoticed as his principal, Matt Fallon, boasts, “Our overall fitness scores have improved 18 percent since last year.” Congratulations, Alex!

Rubric App Saves Assessment Time

The P.E. Geek created the Easy Rubric app, which is designed to minimize the time and effort involved in assessing students. It allows users to identify assessment criteria, create a rubric, select from pre-created rubrics, or import rubrics, and easily assess students using appropriate criteria. To learn more, view the Easy Rubric instructional video.

Importance of Form in Fitness Test

Students often think that just because a fitness test hurts while they are doing it, they must be doing it right. Unfortunately, that is not the case, and when it comes to fitness testing, form matters! Spend the next few months working with students to perfect their form on some of the tests that are more technical, such as curl-ups, push-ups, and pull-ups. You can also try some of the following:

Health and Physical Education Version of The Voice

During down time, have students create a rhyme, rap, or song that describes the essential elements of a skill or concept. When students are running, waiting, breaking during high activity, transitioning, or as they come out to class they can apply their understanding in a fun way. Students can select to perform their creations in small groups or in front of the class.

A Fitness Challenge Created by Students

Let your students brainstorm a fitness challenge for their class or for your site. It can be something that is done in each class or created out of class and posted to a specific social media account. Be creative and help make fitness fun!

New Curriculum Mapping Resource Available for Physical Education 

ThePhysicalEducator.com has released a guide to curriculum mapping for physical education.  

The PE Geek Releases 100 Ways to Use Technology in Physical Education

The PE Geek at www.thepegeek.com released the top 100 ways that physical educators can use technology in their classes. Whether you are looking for fun fitness activities, using video in class, assessments, Google opportunities, active gaming, virtual reality, productivity and useful tools. You will find something worth implementing on the 100 Ways to Use Technology in Physical Education list.

Documents Help Define Quality Physical Education

The San Diego County Office of Education, in collaboration with the San Diego Unified School District, has created two tools to help teachers and administrators define quality physical education. The Foundations for Quality Physical Education: Observation Guide can be used by teachers as a self-evaluation tool or can help guide administrators’ understanding of what quality physical education looks like in action. The Physical Education Best Practice Brochure describes shifts in practice that will improve students’ physical literacy.

Professional Articles/Videos Worth Your Attention

Final Opportunity to Comment on Draft 2019 Health Education Framework

The revised draft of the 2019 Health Education Framework for California Public Schools, Kindergarten Through Grade Twelve (Health Education Framework) is available for its second 60-day public review and comment period, which is now through Jan. 11. The latest version includes more than 200 edits based on submitted comments during the first 60-day public review and comment period. A public input template is also available for download from the link above.

 

Comprehensive Sexual Health Education Part of FPM Reviews

Districts and sites will now be monitoring implementation of comprehensive sexual health education programs, according to the California Department of Education (CDE). The monitoring will assure compliance with the California Healthy Youth Act, and will be part of the CDE’s Federal Program Monitoring (FPM) process.

San Diego CAHPERD Meeting and Social

Join health and physical educators for professional conversation and networking at The Lazy Dog Restaurant at 1202 Camino Del Rio N in Mission Valley this month. The meeting and social time is from 4:15 to 6:30 p.m. Nov. 15.

Chula Vista Elementary Has Physical Education Teacher Openings

Chula Vista Elementary School District has two immediate openings for full-time physical education teachers. One position is for middle school and the other is for elementary students at two sites. For more information and to apply contact Heather Cruz or call 619-425-9600.

Elementary School Cross Country Championships

Gage Elementary School and its PTA have organized the inaugural San Diego County Elementary School Cross Country Championships. The event is scheduled to take place at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 15 at Tecolote Park North. There is no entry fee, but the event is limited to the first 200 participants. 

San Diego State Looking for Physical Education Mentors

San Diego State University's mentor-based induction program is for teachers who are new to the profession. SDSU is looking for physical education teachers to work one-on-one with new teachers to mentor via videos, written feedback, and collaborative online huddles addressing some immediate needs of new teachers. To be eligible, mentors must have completed a minimum of three years of physical education teaching, hold a clear credential, and have a master’s degree. Please contact Paige Metz for more information or if you would like to be considered as a mentor.

Arthritis Foundation to Host Annual Jingle Bell Run

The Arthritis Foundation will host its 26th annual Jingle Bell Run on Dec. 8 at NTC Liberty Station. Encourage your students and their families to put on their favorite holiday costume and jingle bells to participate in the 5K. The top finishing school will receive a pizza party.