|
|
What's Our Future?
This issue features information about a video that some of you have already seen. A few years ago I was fortunate to be able to sit with Don Hellison and chat about the status and future of physical education.
Don has for many years been one of the most influential figures in PE. Don practices what he preaches by seeking out some of the toughest neighborhoods in which to test his ideas.
One of the questions I asked him was how we can justify keeping PE in our public schools. In his typical candid manner, he noted that PE in many schools wasn't worth keeping! He said something like "if it's no good, get rid of it."
Secondary PE remains an area of concern. Several years ago Daryl Siedentop predicted its possible extinction. It concerns me to see secondary physical educators simply opening weight rooms, turning on music, and supervising kids. As a school board member, I can tell you that it would be a lot cheaper to contract out this type of program with a private gym.
We have heard quite a bit recently about the Naperville School District's exemplary PE program, but not much from anywhere else. Help us out! Let us know what you are doing that sets us apart from health clubs. We need to spread the news about positive secondary PE experiences throughout the country.
If we don't become better advocates for what we are doing well, I fear Don and Darryl's concerns may well be realised.
Steve Jefferies
Section Editor
PS. Don's video is well worth watching. Consider getting a copy to stimulate discussion in your school district.
|
"To Stretch or Not To Stretch Before Exercising?"
Tufts University School of Nutrition
Science and Policy, Boston, MA,
December 2000
Will stretching before exercising really prevent injury? That's what Australian researchers tried to nail down when they separated 1,500 new army recruits into two groups.
One group stretched muscles in their upper and lower legs before every exercise session. They focused on muscles in the calves, shins, hamstrings, thighs, and hips, holding each stretch for 20 seconds (but not until the point of pain). The other group didn't stretch at all.
After 12 weeks of running, jumping, scaling walls, and lifting logs, the stretchers were basically no less likely to suffer lower-leg accidents like bone breaks or stress fractures. Stretching didn't appear to protect against soft tissue injuries like strains, sprains, or tendonitis, either.
The results don't mean you should stop stretching, says Miriam Nelson, PhD, of Tufts's Exercise Physiology Lab. But stretch after working out, she advises. You'll help muscles that are tense from contracting during exercise to "bounce back" to a more relaxed state, and thereby help ward off shin splints and other injuries.
Also, warm up for a few minutes before exercising by walking or riding a stationary bike. Otherwise, you'll be increasing your risk for a pull or tear by forcing the muscles into high gear while they're still cold.
|
| Thanks toWendy Mustain for contributing. |
|
Project Fireguard
Project Fireguard is a SA school based resource program which covers fire, burn and scald safety, electrical hazards, home fire safety, farm fire safety and wildfire cause, prevention and survival advice. Designed as curriculum material for pre-school, junior, primary, secondary and area schools. Children learn safe practices.
|
|  |
| Attention High School Teachers! |
|
Do your students know that: "Tobacco companies spend millions of dollars per year to find out how to target their products to youth. They do this because they know they must replace the customers who have died using their products."
The Canadian Lung Association is looking for high school teachers who will field test some or all of the lessons/activities in the newly revised Lungs Are For Life secondary program. The program has been designed to meet expectations as outlined in the Substance Use and Abuse component of the HPE Curriculum. For more information contact lungs@ophea.net
***
Tobacco Advertising Impact Youth More Than Anti-Smoking Messages. For the latest report click here.
|
| Physical Education Lesson Idea
|
How Far to Mt. Katahdin; Grades 9-12
By Bane McCracken & Bryan Butts.
Posted by PE Central
In "How Far to Mt. Katahdin" students learn how to calculate distances. The project introduces students to the Appalachian Trail which stretches more than 2,000 miles. It crosses 14 states, from Maine's mighty Katahdin to Georgia's forested Springer Mountain.
Nearly two-thirds of the US population lives within a day's drive of this continuously marked footpath. Each year, about 2,000 hikers attempt to thru-hike the trail, but only 200 succeed! The challenge for your students is to figure out how many steps it would take to get to Maine's Mt. Katadhin!
For more information, including downloadable resources, click here.
|
PE Today & Tomorrow
Don Hellison
You've probably heard about Don Hellison's ideas for teaching kids social skills through physical education. His "Levels of Responsibility" model presents a unique approach to the teaching of physical education at all grade levels.
You may not know that Don is featured on a unique interview tape available through the PELINKS4U Store. In this interview he is asked to justify PE, explain its mission, describe characteristics of exemplary programs and teachers, comment on assessment, predict the future of PE, and much more.
The quality isn't as good as the real tape (which is only $20.00 and supports site development!) but you can view a sample by clicking here. Hear Don chatting informally, frankly, and uncensored!
For information on this and other videos visit the PE Store.
|
|
If you have ideas, comments, letters to share, or questions about particular topics, please email one of the following Secondary PE Section Editors:
|
|
Help to support quality physical education and health education by contributing to this site.
|
|
|
|
|
| Physical Education Unit Plans |
Cooperative Games, Trust Games, and Initiative Activities;
All Grades
by Michelle Ulmen, Central Washington University Graduate.
This unit on "Cooperative Games, Trust Games, and Initiative Activities" was developed as part of a class. It has appeared on PELINKS4U before, but is worth repeating because it has some great ideas!
Michelle explains that the purpose of each of these activities is to help students develop team cooperation, trust, communication skills, and problem solving skills.
Throughout the activities the students will be enhancing their personal development and challenged as individuals to face their own perceived limitations. Teamwork is developed by working, playing, and accomplishing goals together.
Mountain Biking
Grades 9-12; by George Goss,
Central Washington University Graduate.
This unit on "Mountain Biking" was also a class assignment. It has a wealth of ideas and links. If you are considering adding mountain biking to your curriculum, check out this great resource.
George includes a course outline, instant activities, lesson plans, assessment materials, and much more.
|
|
Polar Heart Monitor Workshop Scheduled
Naperville Central is offering a summer physical education technology workshop from Aug. 6-10. The 5 day workshop will cover Polar Heart Monitors (2 days), Health First Tri-fit (2 days), and one day of other types of PE technology.
They will also cover the importance of public relations and advocacy for quality PE. Naperville Central's website contains all the workshop information.
|
|
Follow your dreams
I knew a man who had a mission
There was a mountain he had to climb
This dream of his became a vision
That never left his mind
He packed his gear and set on out
Trying to make that climb one day
And in his mind, there was no doubt
But the weather got in his way
So he fought the storm that slowed him down
And he made it through the night
And when the morning sun came round
He was woken by the light
He kept working every night and day
Trying to make his way on up
And come one morning when the night gave way
He was sitting there, right on top
And now the man sits on the mountain
With the gleam of stars in his eyes
But there's one thing that he knows for certain
He can get there if he tries
1992 Chris Jordison
|
|
|
Adventure Sports On-Line
This site has info on Paddle Sports, Water Sports, Climbing & Mountaineering, Skiing & Winter Sports Bicycling, Fishing, Wilderness Travel, and International Adventure Travel. Also, info on equipment, nutrition & training, events (U.S.), services, publications,organizationss, links, and outdoor education.
|
|
