Week # 2 Blog Post

Week 2 Blog Post 

I cannot believe the second week of my first placement at Carl Sandburg High School is completed. I have been more confident in my abilities this week as I have gotten to know my students a bit more with a full week of school. This past week was the first time my students dressed out for their physical education class. I was excited to start to get into the flow of things as the previous week was all administration things such as syllabus, locker assignments, and curriculum fair. During my zero-hour Jr/Sr. boys' physical education class, I was able to take attendance before the start of class and assist the water safety instructor with monitoring behavior during the lesson. In the sophomore PE classes, we started Tchoukball and team games. This was my and some of my students' first experience with Tchoukball; it was a great learning experience for all of us. To determine the abilities levels of each individual, the cooperating teacher and I ran the students through a series of locomotor movements. Determining my students' abilities to complete basic movements has assisted me in the planning aspect of activities for the next few weeks. The learning standard associated with this activity was 19.A.1b - "Participate daily in moderate to vigorous physical activity while performing basic movement pattern". Additionally, the sophomore students run a practice pace and participate in a pre-sit-up test this week as they will be tested multiple times over the semester. The learning standard associated with this activity is " 20.B.4b Prepare an individual health-related fitness profile and evaluate fitness level on each component". In the sports medicine II class, the students were introduced to a unit about concussions. The students were instructed to split up into small groups of 3-4 individuals per group and to follow the question on the class Canvas page. The questions include "explain what a concussion is, what is the treatment for a concussion, complete a mock SCAT 5, and what is the difference between the IHSA and NCAA in regards to a concussion ". This assignment allowed for an open discussion between the students, myself, and cooperating teacher. I was able to answer my students' questions as they arose during the week-long project. 

I learned it takes a group effort when creating a curriculum for the physical education department as a whole. This week I was able to sit in on a staff meeting with the physical education department on Wednesday. During the staff meeting, the chair of the department took the time to talk to each group of teachers based on what physical education class and/or grade level they are currently teaching. Each group of the teachers stated what they believed what was going well and if any improvement can be made to ensure student success. Attending this meeting all me to gain insight as to goes on in a staff meeting. Additionally, I determined which class, I will be conducting my EdTPA. I learned that my 4th-hour sophomore pe class is very hardworking and respond to my instruct very well; so I will be conducting my EdTPA with this class. 

My goals for this upcoming week are to take over my physical education classes. I have started to develop the lesson plans for the current units and will create lessons for the upcoming units. Additionally, I wanted to remember as many students' names as possible. I have begun to learn each of my students' names slowly as there are at least 40 students in each of my physical education classes. Additionally, I hope to instill a routine with my students as this week will be a week of acclimation for my students as this will be my first-week leading instruction the class fully be myself.