Day 6- Conference Day 4

Piper Circus

It was circus day at #Shapeseattle today. Circus skills are very important in elementary PE as it ensures that students are practising hand eye coordination. We juggled and we laughed, we spun disks and we laughed, we danced and we loved. This is what it is all about. If students are engaged and relaxed, learning will come naturally. To set up an environment where students understand that mistakes are common then the increase in performance will naturally occur as greater risks will be taken. Well done Piper on this session.

Demo slam

The Demo Slam was cool initiative set up by Colin Brookes and Adam Howell. It involved a meeting place disclosed via Twitter. The rules were simple and short, get an idea talk for no longer than 2 minutes or be shut down. The crowd grew with anticipation and then as teachers presented their idea or teaching strategy the crowd become 5-6 people deep or set up resembling a dance off. I was happy to share the strategies of the mini mudda and the success that Leopold PS had with fundraising. Communication is great as after I was slammed (2 minutes was up) fellow PE teachers came up to be and asked questions about the program. Well done gentlemen and I am sure that this idea is going to be copied at many conferences throughout the world….. It was rich and rewarding.

International PE teachers Task Force

My highlight of my entire conference has to be the inclusion in this group led by Joey Feith. Our mission is simple by this time next year we want to increase the amount of teachers providing Quality Physical Education to students. We need to identify what ‘raising the bar’ means and then go about trying to influence change. So watch this space as the programme evolves. So honoured to be recognized for my work and my ability to influence change. Look out Australia I am coming to get you.

This got me thinking as well and through the power of social media and online communication platforms such as Google Hangout and Skype to name two it is easy to mentor and assist teachers across the world. @GraceKaler, @mrindellPE and I are connecting use this platform.  @jessicashawley & @schallmoserPE13 and I are connecting to develop online collaborative units with our students to cross link globally and provide students with rich and rewarding learning experiences.