Highland Middle School Experience (day four)

After playing castle crashers with all the physical education groups, I wanted to play another new game with the students.  They were use to playing basketball, volleyball or dodge ball. I wanted them to understand that physical education is not only about sports. We can play other games that will increase overall skill level and be a lot more fun then the old scrimmages.  Since castle crashers worked on throwing and more upper body, I wanted to do another game focusing on lower body.  I implemented a game we called world cup soccer.  Once again there were four teams which had to choose a country name, different than last time.  Each team had their own goal in the four corners of the gym.  Similar to castle crasher, the team had to defend their goal but also score on other teams goals.  I allowed them to choose who played goalie, defense and offense. Each team had three bowling pins behind their goal, these were the trophies.  When another team scored on another team’s goal they take a trophy and put it behind their goal.  If a team looses all trophies, they do not sit out. The goalie and defense become offense and help their team score; once they score they take a trophy and go back to regular formation. I started the game out with one ball then threw in another one to make it more interesting.  This game was a lot of fun, in order to keep it safe we implemented some rules.  The ball can not be off the ground, if someone scores and it’s off the ground it doesn’t count.  This makes them work on passing and moving to open space, instead of just kicking the ball.  We also lined the field with cones, if the ball went out of the cones. The closest team, other than the team who kicked it out properly throws the ball in.  This game worked well and the students really enjoyed them selves.  While explaining this game, I learned asking for understand is key.  Throughout the explanation asking the students a question about the game is important.  This makes sure they are listening and understand how to play.  Tomorrow is my last day and I am going to come to school with a brand new game.  My host teacher loved both of my games and said she is going to use them in the future.  She also took my email down so I can send her more of my ideas. I felt great because a teacher who already has a job likes my ideas and wants to know more.  Once again I am eager to start student teaching so I can make new games up for a whole half of a year. 

-Albert A. Mercado

Highland Middle School

Today is the third day here at the midde school, we played castle crashers throughout the day and the students were having a great time.  On my host teachers “prep” period I decided to go into the gymnasium and teach the other classes castle crashers.  Of course I asked the other PE teacher if it was alright, and he said it was fine.  I figured this would give me more experience with speaking in front of a large group of students.  I really got a feeling for explaining a game for a whole day; you kind of figure the best way to present the game.  You want the game to be explained in a short manor so they can get to playing it but they also have to understand how to play.  The warm ups that the teacher had they doing was do a lap around the gym.  I think that is a terrible warm up so I implemented a game that would be fun and they would be warming up without knowing it.  It’s called circle tag, after breaking the students up into their castle crashers team; I sat them down and demonstrated circle tag with them. I used one team as an example I an explained.  One person is “it” and the rest of the team is working together.  They need to link arms and form a circle.  The team decides who the person who is “it” has to tag.  Then the circle has to work together on shielding the person who is “it” from tagging one of the members.  This is really fun because the person who is it has a lot of running to do and the group has to communicate to be successful.  Once the link is broken or the person gets tagged the person who was getting tagged becomes “it” and the team picks a new person to get tagged.  It is a quick game to warm students up and it also gets them to feel comfortable with one another before a bigger, complex team game like castle crashers.

-Albert A. Mercado

Highland Middle School Experience day two

The big day has finally come! Today is the day I get to implement a game into the Highland Middle School program.  I brought a list of games and let my host teacher pick her favorite, I couldn’t pick!  She picked a game called Castle Crashers.  There are four teams in four equal territories, marked out by cones. The field is cut like a pizza pie, the center of the gym is the middle and the four teams each have a slice (territory). There are two “castles” on each territory.  The castle is three orange cones stacked on top of each other inside a hula hoop.  The object of the game is to knock the other team’s castle down by throwing balls at the castle, without leaving your territory.  Both teams are throwing balls so there is also a defensive part of the game, the students have to stand outside the hula hoop and guard their castle. They can use a ball to block the incoming attack or use their bodies.  Once I split the students into teams, they have to pick a country to call their team and make a strategy.  They have free will to pick their formation; they might have four on defense and two on offense or everyone on defense. I also gave them hints about working together, or using plays.  I gave them a few examples, one play could be rapid fire which would be all offensive players grab a ball and throw at the same time.  Another play is under over, one player rolls the ball while another throws it.  The pass worked very well, that’s when one student pretends to throw the ball but actually passes it to a teammate who attacks.  Also when one castle is knocked down the castle can be rebuilt, as long as the other castle is standing. Once both castle are knocked down they are not out, they can shoot a ball in the opposite basketball hoop and they are back in the game.  No one is ever sitting out and multiple times the teams made the basket and they were so excited.  The first game the two countries next to each other played, so two games were going on.  This was to allow the students to get a feel for a game and see if they can listen to the rules. They were use to playing dodge ball so they asked what happens when you get hit, nothing happens, no one should be sitting out in PE.  Also I had to remind them not to throw it at each other but aim at the castles.  This is a great game because the students who don’t mind getting hit with balls played defense and the students who disliked getting hit played offense. Of course I told them this when explaining the game. Once the first game went well, we played another game of battle royal. Now all teams can throw at one another.  Since the field is cut like a pizza, the teams have three teams to throw at but also three teams to defend from.  This threw another option into the game, they can make allies, and two teams can team up and throw at the same time.  This game was a huge hit, my host teacher loved it and so did all the students. One period I saw girl who hasn’t changed all year who sits out during PE running and helping a team grab balls, I asked her if she wanted to play.  She said yes and I let her join a team even though she had her school clothes on, I figured at least she can get some exercise and maybe she will change next class since she had some fun.  I was happy to see even the disengaged students like my game.  This game has a lot of benefits, from team work to manipulative skills when stacking the cones. Tomorrow we will play the same game so the other students in the school can see how it works.   

-Albert A. Mercado

First experience in Highland Middle School

Today was the first day in the middle school.  I was a lot more confident going into this school because the High School went so well.  I was excited to be back in a school setting.  I met with my host teacher one of the first days I was home from break; I went to both the High School and Middle School to introduce myself, so this wasn’t the first time meeting my host teacher.  I came to the school very early because I like to prepare for the day, maybe help set up or just look over the binder I have to complete during this experience. I noticed the physical education teachers came into the school very late.  This made me realize I will never come late; they start their day off wrong.  I want to come very early so I can set up the first activity for 1^st period so the students have more playing time. It is very unfair to set up games or activities during the student’s period.  They need every minuet of time to be active.  I wish more physical education teachers felt this way.  1^st period they played star wars capture the flag dodge ball.  I wrote up a whole blog about how I feel about dodge ball in a school setting, if you want to know exactly what I said scroll down and click older post (maybe twice) it was one of the first blogs I wrote.  I don’t think dodge ball shouldn’t be played in a school, I have many reasons but I will not get into that. I watched the entire day and saw the negative results, some kids loved dodge ball but others were terrified.  Multiple students went to the nurse and the environment was just hostile.  One period we had to run a study hall, an option I thought was really cool and helpful was the students were allowed to go to the gymnasium and participate in physical education if they didn’t want to stay in the study hall.  This was amazing to see because it gave another period for students to be active.  I really liked this idea and will try to implement this into my future school. During our preparation period, which was a break, the teacher asked me if I knew any fun new games I could show the class.  Me? I have millions! I was so excited to prepare a great game for these students.  She told me all day tomorrow the students can play my game.  I went home and went through all my notes and searched for the perfect game.  I couldn’t just pick one, so I prepared a list of 5 and went to bed eager to go to school tomorrow.  This is no exaggeration, physical education is my passion and I love making a game up or tweaking something I learned before and presenting it to a class and seeing these students run around and enjoy what I have made.  It’s a great feeling and I feel accomplished when they are sweating walking out of the gymnasium saying that was so much fun I wish we could play this all day.  That’s the thing with students they will tell you how they feel no matter what, they will tell you the game was boring if it was boring and you just have to learn from their feedback and try not to make a mistake again.

-Albert A. Mercado

Last Day at Highland High School

Today was the last day I was in the High School, I am really sad.  This was a great experience and I learned a lot.  This experience made me very excited to graduate and get into my career.  I noticed I had a huge impact on the students and the entire school. I didn’t even get to teach to show them my real skill, I was only interacting with them and they seemed to enjoy my presence.  Physical Education is the career for me; I have a chance to impact so many lives! Today was fun we had little parties in each health class, we had food and watched Christmas movies.  It was really relaxing and the students enjoyed it. During physical education class the students chose basketball, badminton or ping pong and the coach played Christmas music. It was a nice day to say the least.  9^th period there was a pep rally!  I was in the gymnasium helping set up when the jazz band came in and started playing.  This was incredible to watch, these students were so talented!  I was stunned, it sounded like they were professionals.  There were two drummers, one drummer sat on the others lap with one stick and the other held the other stick and they started playing.  This is very difficult because they are only using one arm and they have to keep the same beat.  Then the students started flowing in, everyone was excited.  The Highland Husky mascot came running out but there was a surprise.  He started taking his uniform off and Santa was under the costume.  This was very funny, Santa announced all the students on the sport teams and they came running out.  Then the band played for a while which was great.  Then the played two big games of knock out, two students from each grade, it was very entertaining.  Then they played a big game of musical chairs and the same girl won from last year! Then the bell rang and everyone went home.  It was a great ending to a wonderful week here in Highland. 

Highland High School Experience

Today in Highland high school was eventful to say the least! First period I worked with a student on shooting the basketball, he was shooting the ball improperly.  This was affecting the flight of the ball; he was not making any shots.  I worked with him for a few seconds and he practiced then the students started playing knock out.  He listened to my advice and won second place!  This student was not use to winning and was so happy.  The other students could not believe he was winning either, I told the students to not judge anyone because with practice anyone can become skilled.  This made me feel great that I helped a student; I hope he remembers my advice and enjoys playing basketball. During all my study periods my host teacher let me stay in the gym and observe the other physical education teachers lessons.  They were doing the same unit, basketball, ping pong, badminton but it was a new set of students which I enjoyed.  Third period was my host teachers planning period; I am way ahead with my work so I decided to sit in on a physical education class.  The period started off normal and I was shooting around with a group of girls.  About half way through the period out of the corner of my eye I see two girls arguing and getting very close to one another.  I walked over to see if they were just joking or if it was serious.  This was serious the two girls were about to fight!  I couldn’t believe this, what were odds a fight was going to happen within the five days I was there and happen right near me.  I did not want the two students to fight so I stepped in between the two students and told them to calm down and relax.  The entire time I am waving my arms to get the coaches attention but he doesn’t see me.  I was yelling for him but no one could hear me over the Christmas songs playing in the gym. Finally he saw I what was going on before the students began to fight; I was still acting like a barrier at this time.  When the coach came over to me they went at each other, they were punching and scratching, the coach grabbed one girl as the principals ran into the gym. This was very intense and I think I handled it correctly. Although I would never want anyone to fight, this was a good experience for me and I learned a lot from this situation.  If that was my class I would always be watching, if I wasn’t in the gym these girls would have been fighting for minuets before he saw.  Also having a whistle at all times is important, if I had my whistle I could have gotten the teachers attention quickly.  Always have the walky talky on hand also, the coach called the principal as he was running over, this cut the time the principals got to the fight in half.  I am glad no one got hurt and I was in the gym at that time. The next few periods I switched things up and worked with the badminton group, this was fun because I love that sport.  I was teaching them the concept of hitting really far then hitting it very close.  Also hitting it in different corners of the court really helps.  Many do not know but there is a lot of strategy in badminton, luckily I had the opportunity to take racquet activities with Mr. Fuchs who is one of the best.  I am sad tomorrow is my last day and I will miss the students and staff.  

Albert A. Mercado     

Highland High School Experience

Day Three

Period one was health class; we were finishing up watching the last of the presentations on mental illnesses.  We watched the presentations on amnesia, hypochondrias, autism and multiple personalities to name a few.  Cursing was a problem today the students had to be talked to multiple times about their language.  Period two the students had an assembly, this was a former student talking about the military.  The speaker touched on his back ground, starting from high school on.  He went to the air force academy and is very successful.  He is a positive influence on these students and I think everyone benefited from his speech.  After his background he talked about life and three lessons to follow.  Lesson one is mind over matter, do not mind the things that don’t matter.  His examples were drama and high school stress; he was explaining that what to wear tomorrow and who kissed who is not important in life.  Focus on school and family which will always be very important. Lesson two, Appreciate tomorrows memories today.  Tomorrow is another day to really succeed, do not stress over today’s failures because tomorrow is a success. Lesson number three use present to prepare the future, work hard today and tomorrow will be a success.  Working hard now will pay off, and the future will be bright.  I enjoyed his speech and thought they way he present was great for a high school setting, he joked a lot and still had a positive lesson.  I think teachers should have more life long talks with students and really influence positive thought.  During lunch I was introduced to an adapted physical education teacher from the Boces program.  His name was Roy Spieling; he was here to work with a few students.  Instead of lunch I chose to observe and work with him.  He seemed really passionate about physical education and I knew I could learn a lot from him.  We worked with a student who was visually impaired, we played basketball.  She was amazing; she was making shots left and right.  I was very impressed and with her skill level.  We were playing around the world. I enjoyed working with this student because she was so grateful and really listened to every word we said.  I would really love to get involved with the adapted community.  I am going to keep in touch with Mr. Spieling and hopefully have to opportunity to work with him again.  This week is flying by and I am trying to make the best of this experience while it last because before you know it I will not be at Highland high school.    

-Albert A. Mercado