Swimming Lessons

EDU255 Highlights

Exergame Fitness Expo @ SUNY Cortland

iDance
http://bit.ly/8zkEzA

EDU 255 Lab D - Stomp!

1,2,3 Cheese! Flash*
Your picture has been taken and a milisecond of time has been captured. A single snapshot can encompass a wide range of variables. This is similar to the challenge involved in teaching our different labs. We are given a snapshot, 10-15 minutes in which each area of the C-9 form must be properly addressed. In my experience teaching, it is impossible to hit all of these elements unless you take time to prepare and keep the main concept/task simple. I feel that the time I took to prepare for this lesson was observed in the set up, however I feel that I could have focused on one element to simplify the main concept.

In my lesson plan Verbal Transcript progressions cognitive quiz time coding

Random Pics

These pics are from my EDU 255 class, the National AAHPERD convention and the Cortland PE MiniConference.

Swimming Lessons Fall 09' Session

International Lab C

International Lab C - Clogging

This lesson on clogging was something new for most of our peers. I feel that the criteria for Lab C in general added a challenge because our activities are not the most common activities played. For example, most of our class mates were unfamiliar with clogging so it increased interest level and focused on a dance versus a sport.

I feel that overall the lesson ran smoothly and was well organized (see verbal transcript). The instant activity kept students moving and gave me the opportunity to visually assess the skill level of the class, when moving and keeping a beat/rhythm. The visual aid was large and color coded for easy understanding. The aid showed a clear break down of the steps we learned and what foot lead each step. Using a variety of mini progressions in the beginning was successful in having the whole class learn the two basic steps, which combined differently, made up each cue. Adding a few extra steps and reinforcing the syllables with our cues increased the success rate in the group overall. Michelle was able to incorporate intra task variation quickly during her lesson because the basic steps I covered were understood initially.

In order to improve this lesson, I would have to overcome the challenge of providing all students with the ability to tap and produce sound. An idea of a stretchy strap or rubberband with a metal piece or coin attatched; this could easily be placed around the shoe or sneaker to make a tap noise. This would increase the success rate of the students by adding an extra form of feedback to the dance. The tap sound being produced enhances the students ability in timing and successful repetition of the step.

YWCA

I began working at the YWCA this summer and have been able to meet some amazing people here in the town of Cortland. One lady Mrs. SC began comming to lap swim during my shift and we began sharing stories. I would have never guessed that she had only recently began swimming and was already doing laps up and down the pool.
"I haven't been swimming in sixteen years."
Unfortunatly, SC had lost her lower extremeties due to blood clotting. She said she was terrified of the water due to this loss and figured she would sink. The doctor suggested swimming and water therapy to help SC with problematic nerve endings so she tried it out.
Turns out she is quite a 'bobber,'as she puts it, and swims 4-5 days per week. During my shifts, I have watched her progress from a few laps to a quarter mile and recently a half mile. She has become somewhat of a mother figure and gives me the best advise, she is extremely inspiring and has helped to shape the person I am today. Thank you SC and Just Keep Swimming!

Midnight Volleyball

My team: Captain Brandon
David Jason Matt Dustin Tashet and Jess

Cup Stacking

Speed Stacking at the Mini Conference. The presentation held on Speed Stacking showed a variety of ways to implement stacking in a Physical Education classroom setting. Implementation in the form of tournaments and elimination type races were demonstrated. The set up used a variety of sized cups and would have rounds set up. A set of four cups and then a set of two and then just one at the final table. This elimination begins with four competitors but only the two fastest that make it to the next set of cups continue on; the last person is able to stack for a time at the final table and would have to complete a complete circut.

Champion Cup Stacker in the 8-10 year old male category. Showing off at the National Convention.

Ultimate Frisbee Lesson

This lab involved teaching progressions that can be used when playing ultimate frisbee.

TASK: teach a back and forth drill with one partner on the move in a small circle
CUES: Throw, Catch, Pivot, Throw
CHALLENGE: Your partner will be running back and forth (side to side) you will throw the frisbee to your partner and when they are on the other side of you then you will pivot and throw the frisbee again

Overall, I feel that my strengths lie within my introduction and amount of feedback I gave to the class (verbal transcript). I had high energy and was able to project my voice efficiently throughout the entire lesson. Looking back on how I conducted my lesson, I feel that I should have done a few things differently. To prevent confusion and make sure everyone obtained a clear understanding of the task I should have provided the demonstration before I sent groups of three to spread out all over the gym. Also, I decided to compare my drill to a drill that was taught before mine instead of explaining it in its entirety. This caused some confusion in what was expected in the task. Once the groups began the drill things ran smoothly. I was able to provide adequate feedback to a majority of the class and give different adaptations to the task to increase difficulty.

Midnight Volleyball Tournament

Jose, Juan, Zaharah and Jeff = the Underdogs

Mini Teaching - Take 2

These mini teaching experiences really allow each member of our class to be able to assess personal progress throughout the semester and pinpoint strengths and weaknesses in our teaching. After watching my lesson on sprawling in the game of volleyball, I feel I am able to adequately give a specific task along with cues and demonstration however I could have improved on giving my safety statement (verbal transcript). Although I asked the group to spread out, I should have placed them in two lines and spaced so I could see every other person, this would eliminate the group of gentlemen that were rolling into each other on the floor when recovering from the sprawl. With the formation in which I taught the skill and then the following drill, I was unable to get time to apply intratask variation and personal feedback to each individual. I feel that if I had designed the drill differently and had three people pass to the first three sprawlers, then after sprawling become the new passers, I could have had time to go around to each person as they performed the drill. Compared to the majority of the class, I feel that I use and am able to project my voice efficiently while also showing enthusiam in the skill I was teaching. I decided to take a step out in teaching sprawling, something a little more involved than a simple forearm pass, set and attack and I feel this was a good choice for my lesson. It is a skill that is useful in game play and is often overlooked when teaching the basic skills.
I look forward to my next teaching experience!

Correct Form - Forearm Pass and Ready to Serve

EDU 255 Day 2

Todays class got us moving right away. A partner and a frisbee is all we needed and began to toss back and forth. Some us were found to lack the skills needed to adequatly get the frisbee from one place to another however others were extremely skilled. After we became more comfortable, some of us began to try the different ways to throw the frisbee; forehand, backhand, and overhead. Dr. Yang gave some brief instruction and led us through a few mini-games that let us practice these new skills.
I took the teaching method as the main objective of our class; PLAY TEACH PLAY!

Surprise Teaching!!

The first day of Dr. Yang's EDU255 class was a new experience for most of us there. He gave us a few materials which included footballs, volleyballs and soft soccer balls; our only direction was that we had to teach a mini-lesson (about 5 minutes) to our peers. Most of us began with some form of introduction to the skill we would be covering and gave cues to practice the skill, then some form of drill was used to practice and execute.

Exergames at AAHPERD!

ZUMBA Session!

AAHPERD National Convention 2009

After a long day of traveling and settling into our hotel, our group of over 20 students represented SUNY Cortland at a session called the Brazilian Dance party! We paired up and participated in numerous group dances and learned the meanings behind each. One dance involved a series of three different dance sequences which are used to Welcome in different cultures. Another involved the gentlemen leading his partner in a 'city walk.' While walking the partners stop to greet others and parade though a long tunnel; this represents a community celebration. The city walk was a great icebreaker and we had the opportunity to dance with others. At one point the gentlemen stayed in one position and their partner moved to the gentlemen behind them at the same time, giving everyone new partners. We repeated this three times and a quick introduction and laugh was shared between each person we met and then we continued exchanging forward until we reached our origional partner again. While parading in the city walk I got these pics.

USA Swimming

I have been recently involved with the Dryden Aquatics Racing Team (D.A.R.T USA Swim Team), as an assistant coach with Professor Walkauski.

I started only a few months ago, and already I have learned so much from this experience.

I have been able to apply teaching strategies, from working with the students at St. Mary's, into my coaching and my swimmers are showing tremendous improvement.

It is a truly rewarding occupation.

These are some of the pictures from a recent competition.