P.E

P.E

To dodge ball, or not to dodge ball?That is the question.

It's apparent that games such as dodge ball are not in America's corner with it's continuous fight against obesity. These games find them selves in the Physical education hall of shame for a wide array of reasons. Ranging from their lack in the ability to actually accomplish much physical movement, to their obvious applications of danger and alienation. It is a big enough shame that most schools already unjustly rob children of a decent physical education already. Playing games that could allow half the class to not move more than a simple walk to the sidelines is an outrage. Not only to our tax dollars, but to America's health as well! It's also a waste of the schools funding. Anyone could instruct a game of dodge ball, Schools should hire teachers who actually physically better their students through education. The only way these games should exist in today's P.E classes is with modifications that promote a healthy body. Lets refer to this variation of dodge ball as " Alien invasion". Instead of using dodge balls this game will require soft flier Frisbee. They travel at a speed were they still can purpose concentration to catch, yet the eliminate the danger aspect of balls. I've personal been struck in the face with multiple soft flier Frisbee and have never even said ow. The game can incorporate fifteen or twenty Frisbee, so people are constantly catching, throwing, and getting hit with them. From there the old rules of dodge ball kind of apply. Two teams on each half of the gymnasium, throwing and catching objects. Though in " Alien invasion" no one ever gets out. If you catch a flying saucer you've helped save the planet, and must throw the saucer back into outer space. On the other side if you get hit with a flying saucer you must do ten push-ups, jumping jacks, or sit-ups, or squat thrust to get stronger so the aliens cannot take you aboard their spaceship. Also you can't do the same exercise twice in a row or you won't get strong enough to save the planet. After explaining to the children that aliens are invading the planet and it's up to them, and how they have to save the world, you now have a far more active variations of "dodge ball".

Attempting to break Inhibitions

The other day was the first time my peers and I got to not only interact with the children at the after school program, but also attempt to lead them in a game as well. It became appearant to me that it's a task in itself to sell the game and maintain their attention while doing so, let alone get a structured game going. It's the same for you and I when we're approached by a salesman with his " spectacular deal that'll only take a moment of your time". The majority of us aren't interested due to the salemans pitch. Dispite the fact that we may have been excited and interested, it must have been obvious we were holding back still. The pre-k students must have read this, and became less interested. We had them gather in a circle while we attempted to sell them the game, but it wasn't so easy. They often asked questions completely unrelated to anything at hand, and one child actually walked away. I feel as if this was a great first experience, that will help shape our future attempts into future successes! We just need to find our armors kinks, and keep going forward from there. Though I do feel being more silly, and open toward the children would be a great start. Also our instructor gave us grate pointers. He told us to try talking to them in the corner, so they aren't facing activities that can distract them. He also suggested speaking in ways that keep attention, which would also be a big help. I feel as If next time we'll be much more prepared to have a great class for the kids, I'm very excited!