Skillastics

AAHPERD Approved LMIS Skillastics® Now Available!

sandyspin — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 17:40:03 +0000

Let’s Move in School Skillastics^®, the first product officially licensed to include the Let’s Move in School logo, is the innovative actvity that supports the Let’s Move in School Initiative and assists schools in integrating physical activity into all aspects of the school day. Your students will love it and so will you! Let’s Move in School Skillastics^® assists schools in helping students be physically active for at least 60 minutes a day and supports the five facets’ of the Let’s Move in School Inititiave; Physical Education, Physical Activity during the school day, Physical Activity before & after school, staff involvement and family and community involvement.

“We are thrilled to recognize Let’s Move in School Skillastics^® as the first official product that supports the Let’s Move in School Initiative.” said Dr. Judith Young, Vice President for Programs for the American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance. “Let’s Move in School Skillastics^® is a great resource that assists school in integrating physical activity before, during and after school.”

Let’s Move in School Skillastics^® is based upon the patented Skillastics^® technique that allows small or large groups of children, of all ages and physicla abilities to be physically active. The 26 activities include activities based on running, jumping, and throwing.

Targets Grades 2-8
In addition to the standard Skillastics^® equipment that every activity kit contains (5′x7′ mat, 6, 20″x27″ miniature mats, 6 dice, 6 beanbgs, instructional manual, backpack storage bag), Let’s Move in School Skillastics^® ALSO includes;
- Animation Instructional DVD
- Six (6) Square Beanbags
- Tips and ideas on how to implement Skillastics^® into the five facets of the Let’s Move in School Initiative
- Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program tips and ideas (CSPAP)
- 26, 8.5″ x 11″ laminated Task Cards
- Fitness Calendar
- Assessment Exercises
- Challenge options and Special Needs options
- Detailed Colored Instructional Manual

Be A Master at Feedback

sandyspin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:27:31 +0000

I’ve been going to the YMCA to watch some really cute kids learn how to play basketball! Of course, basketball is huge in Kansas (James Naismith, the inventor of basketball was a teacher at the University of Kansas!) and there are lots of kids playing basketball this time of year. I’ve noticed several things that they do with 5 year olds that I think are really good teaching practices. I’ve been very impressed with the feedback they are giving the kids.

Good teachers are masters at giving feedback to their students. The feedback they give is very specific. When we say “you did a great job today” the students feel good but they really don’t know what they did that was good! However, when we give specific feedback, students learn from those comments. “You are doing a really nice job of keeping the ball waist high.” “Your class did a great job today of stopping quickly when the music stopped and listening to my directions.” That type of feedback helps students improve their skills and also helps them know what behavior is appropriate.

Good teachers are also great at making sure they are looking for opportunities to provide feedback throughout the lesson. The “real teaching” takes place after students start the activity! I encourage you to think about when you are giving feedback to your students and consider whether it is general or specific. Skillastics^® is the perfect example of allowing an instructor the freedom to give feedback while all the children are engaged in the activity.

More next month on Kansas basketball and what I’ve learned from watching kids play the game!

ING Unsung Heroes Awards Program

sandyspin — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 18:16:19 +0000

The ING Unsung Heroes program annually provides grants to K-12 educators utilizing new teaching methods and techniques that improve learning. Each year, educators submit applications for an ING Unsung Heroes grant by describing projects they have initiated or would like to pursue. Each project is judged on its innovative method, creativity, and ability to positively influence students. For $2,000, Skillastics^® can easily be incorporated into your school and become a part of a Family Fitness Night. For more information on how to start a Family Fitness night; info@skillatics.com.

100 educators will be selected to receive $2,000 to help fund their innovative class projects. Three of those are chosen to receive the top awards of an additional $5,000, $10,000 and $25,000. Applications for the 2012 awards are now available.

Award Amount: $2,000

Deadline: April 30, 2012

For More Information

Click Here for Application

Start a Kids’ Tennis Club!

sandyspin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 17:51:47 +0000

Start a Kids’ Tennis Club and introduce kids to tennis in a fun and interactive way!

A Kids’ Tennis Club is a program that allows kids to sample tennis through supervised play and interactive activities. This program is a great way for kids to be introduced to tennis in a safe, open-play setting at local schools, parks, youth centers and tennis facilities. These “clubs” offer kids the opportunity to have fun, gain confidence and meet new friends, while enhancing their social and physical development.

With the emergence of Kids’ Tennis Clubs, Tennis Skillastics^® is a valuable tool in creating a positive first impression for children touching a racquet for the first time in a non-threatening, non-competitive environment. Learn More About Tennis Skillastics^®

Click Here to Register for a Kids’ Tennis Club

Soccer Nation Expo

sandyspin — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 18:28:49 +0000

Congress May Set National Physical Education Standards

sandyspin — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 14:05:53 +0000

Congress may set national Physical Education Standards to fight childhood obesity.

With public schools cutting back on spending for physical education, some members of Congress want to intervene, worried that the nation’s schools are churning out too many fat kids. Read More

Congress Passes 2012 PEP Funding

sandyspin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:43:57 +0000

The good news for the country is that Federal budget for Fiscal Year 2012 has been passed by the U.S. Congress. The great news for the sports and fitness industry is that the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP) has received level funding — $78.8 million. The new funds will be used to support existing grants from 2010 and 2011, with the remainder directed to new grants awarded in 2012. Congress approved the budget this past Friday (December 16) and President Obama is expected to sign the bill later.

PEP funds are used to purchase fitness and sports equipment and train PE teachers in innovative methods of physical education. READ MORE

Advocating for Physical Education

sandyspin — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 16:41:11 +0000

Advocating for PE has never been so important! Join us in DC for SPEAK Out Day on March 29th. Contact Carly Braxton, cbraxton@aahperd.org for more info.

Changing the Culture of a School – One Activity at a Time

sandyspin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 20:08:12 +0000

During your next teacher work day, take a few moments and demonstrate how easy it is to get children and adults moving ANYWHERE and at ANYTIME! Share a quick team building activity using the Fitness Skillastics^® laminated activity cards. It not only builds advocacy, but also prepares the possibility of using Skillastics^® activities in every classroom (i.e. daily morning fitness included during announcements).

Here is a quick example of a team building activity. Every teacher has an activity card (You may have to make additional copies if there are not enough cards to go around. It is permissible to duplicate activity cards issued to you). Everyone places the card on their forehead with the exercise facing inward or against one’s forehead. On a signal, everyone begins walking around shaking hands with and exchanging the activity cards. You could also encourage the teachers to say something relevant to the school or organizations to each other in addition to or in place of shaking hands. Continue the activity until an audible stop signal is heard. Everyone stops and reads the card he/she has and does that activity and the amount of repetitions as suggested by the leader of the activity. Repeat this activity as you deem appropriate.

New Year, New Commitments

sandyspin — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:44:42 +0000

For many of you, coming back to school after the holidays means the start of a new semester. This is a great time to re-teach any classroom management issues that need addressed. If something has been “driving you crazy” in your classes, take care of it now! Even if you aren’t starting a new semester, you can still approach this time as a “new year”. It’s not a reflection on your teaching ability, it’s just a fact that sometimes, we need to re-teach some topics.

When I had student teachers that came after the beginning of the year, I made certain they knew that the management of our classes didn’t just “happen”! You have to teach those skills to your students and when you do, it makes life better for everyone.

A couple of quotes that come to mind when you are trying to decide if it’s appropriate or worth your time to tackle those management issues are:

“We’re not going to do things in this class that stop me from teaching or prevent others from learning”. I think it’s important for students to know you have that expectation. If it means you have to “practice” your “stop and go” signal, finding partners quickly, or whatever it may be, then take time to do that. But….make sure the students know why you are spending class time practicing those management techniques. It’s not because it’s what you really want to do but it’s what needs to be done in order to help you teach and others learn.

“Kids don’t care what you know until they know you care.” I love that quote! And I think by making certain that your classes run smoothly, you let your students know you care about them and you care about doing a good job.

I hope you have a great second half to your school year, and lots of great teaching and learning take place in your classes!