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Dodgeball

Forum: National Association for Sport & Physical Education » Elementary Physical Education » Dodgeball « Previous Next »

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Keri DuPont (Keri)
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Registered: 10-2005
Posted on Thursday, October 27, 2005 - 6:02 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Hi everyone,
I just learned about Dodgeball being on a list of the hall of shame. I was wondering if any teachers still teach this to their students? Personally I loved this game when I was in elementary school, however I do understand the negative to it being dangerous.
Anonymous
 
Posted on Monday, October 31, 2005 - 3:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I liked this game as well. I however played a different version of this game where the object was not to hit another person but to knock over a plastic bowling pin behind the other players. However if a person got hit, he/she did still have to leave the game. I don't think it's the best game to play, but I see why some children like it.
Keri DuPont (Keri)
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Posted on Thursday, November 17, 2005 - 10:59 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

That would be a good game to play instead of dodgeball....because they are still getting the point of throwing a ball and aiming. But I agree it probably is not the best game to play.
LaGarian Houston (Lil_one239)
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Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 10:12 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Dodgeball has always been a popular game to play. Today i still love to play the game of dodgeball and i'm in college. The game helps kids in so many ways with the agility, speed, and quickness aspect. The only downfall to the game of dodgeball is someone can seriously get hurt. If you wack someone in the face it can cause a lot of damage. I agree with everyone else who responded to the page saying it isn't the best game to play!
George V Harnick (Gharnick)
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Posted on Monday, February 06, 2006 - 4:51 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I agree that it is not a great game to play. I remember playing it when I was young and I use to hurt people. I did not think that it was devistating to those who felt the wrath, but it was extremely fun for me. That is why I will never play dodgeball in any of my classes. I think about all the others that my friends and I literally blasted with the ball. I still feel bad about it. HAHA I understand however that there are versions of dodgeball that eliminate the hassle of injury and there is actual strategy involved rooting out the "blasters" like I once was.

George
Lee Przygocki
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Posted on Thursday, February 09, 2006 - 8:41 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I would have to agree that dodgeball is not the best game to play. However, I do look back at my past and I can remember loving the game. Not getting my fellow classmates out but completing other tasks that my physical education teacher had us aiming for. I do agree that students can get hurt playing this game.
Gerry Cernicky (Pingeyez2)
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Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 5:01 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

As I have mentioned many times before , the reason the game is loved is because of dominance over the weaker students. Ask the students who got "bombed" or were injured physically or emotionally. Also , if these students grew up to be school board members , I think its better to look elsewhere for a job!
I know we have people who say it teaches skills and tactics but I firmly believe any activity that the normal lay person can teach in P.E.is a definite threat to the P.E. process. I hope we are much better than that. Plus, our governing body(NASPE) says its inappropriate, isn't that good enough?

Gerry Cernicky (Pingeyez2)
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Posted on Friday, February 10, 2006 - 5:09 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Here are some various ideas about the Naspe-pe talk along with ways to use technology, family fitness fun and station activities related to the Amazing Race TV series :
PDA - in many cases you can use the various grading programs
for your classes. In my case , I like to carry the PDA around with
me in all facets of life, both school and community/home. So, whenever
I meet a parent or community/school board member , I can show them
in simple terms , what we really do in P.E. that is, a public relations tool

Here is what I do . Take digital pictures of the skills as use as a rubric
to show what the students do in each skill area. Of course, the more
resolution the better to have them see the pictures more clearly. Use
the notepad for standards or developmentally appropriate activities.Just
scroll and watch each panel appear in various colors. Now , if they have
a PDA , you can beam the information . Also, I have my PE homepage,too,
to use as resources. Recently, from http://www.avantgo.com , I put on a
basic exercise program called the Westin Workout Tracker. This is geared
more to the middle/high school crowd, but if parents got involved then
why not ? Leave no stone unturned and besides it shows that PE teachers
have tech knowledge. On a literary side, there are great health/sports
related stories to be read or listened to for resources.
FAMILY FUN = there are the top 100 family fun activities on my webpage
along with fitness calendars to be used a great resource. Click on
Family Fitness Fun and Fitness calendar from the left pane.
AMAZING RACE = set up the activity that can be easily moved for the
next class. In my case , the grades are scattered, that is, I may go 6th,5th
,
4th, 1st. So, make it accessible for each class and easily replaced. But
here are some more ideas and Rita, has shown some grrat ideas,too.
THE BOAT - place an unfolded , 3 panel , tumbling mat in front of each
group. Place one object at each line(30 feet apart) to be secured after
each turn. Have one student on the mat while the others pull that person
to the line and object( person on mat picks it up). At the end of that turn
one
person gets off the next person gets on,etc. Winning team gets to keep
the object( rubber chicken - food ; batons- matches ; frisbee - plate and
golf tubes - wood and stacking/dixie cups - water)
HOOPLA - place hula hoops on the floor like a "football" tire run with each
adjoining hoop stretched out and touching( use 6-8 hoops). The object is
for the the first person to get one team member and join them without
falling in the " ocean". The team members are waiting on the other side.
As the joining continues there are more students on each time until there
is a "chain of all members. Any breaking hands or in "ocean" places them
off the island. At the end is an object to be received for the winners.
The best way to progress is to hold the person's shoulders in front of you
and two foot hop the distance.
SHARK ATTACK - in front of each group place a series of obstacles . Here
are the skills involved:
1. Alligator crawl under golf tubes placed on top of traffic cones
2. Jump on and off a side horse into a crash mat , log roll to finish
3. Walk on a balance beam and over objects placed on it
4. Kangaroo/zig zag hop into hula hoops
5. Push a folded tumbling mat 20 feet( students divided on each side)
6. "Small" high jump over 3 consecutive cones with golf tubes on top
Exchange places after 30 - 60 seconds. Penailties are touching the tubes,
falling down off balance beam , improper ascent off horse vault , touching
floor outside the hoops , inability to push mat without help , and knocking
over the golf tube.
GREAT TO BE BACK - another ditto to this comment but after five
attempts some of the comments never made it to the group. But this is
understandable since its been down and getting back is always a
problem. In any event , we have arrived again with the hope that it will
continue. Thanks to all who made it possible. Patience is a virtue.
Gerry Cernicky
http://igreen.tripod.com/gerpe
Jim Perry (Perryja5)
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Posted on Sunday, February 12, 2006 - 4:37 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I think playing dodgeball in Phys Ed is alright as long as it is monitored carefully and does not exclude certain kids. We played it once in awhile at the high school I taught at and it went very well. We only played it in our classes that we felt could "handle" it w/out getting out of hand or kids getting injured. We have not played at my elementary school yet, but my teacher has talked about a modified dodgeball game, where the students roll the ball at others feet to get them out and then they can catch a ball from a teammate to get out of jail. I think that as long as it is done the right way, dodgeball can be a very fun and educational game (throwing, catching, dodging).
newyorker (Newyorker)
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Posted on Monday, February 13, 2006 - 1:38 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I teach it, however it is modified. We throw yarn balls or slide bean bags and the children are NEVER eliminated. If a child is hit with the ball or the bean bag they need to do jumping jacks, or go to a special holding area where they can come out if they catch a ball. There is always a way to get back into the game.
Matthew Mills (Mattm1980)
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Posted on Sunday, February 19, 2006 - 9:05 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I have seen and heard of some other dodgeball versions that I would consider acceptable occasionally because the majority of students really love the games. Doctor dodgeball is one, the students are not eliminated, the doctor is able to rescue them. I think as with many activities it depends on the students and how often you play the game with them. The origibal elimation version though probably should not be used anymore
steve acree (Stephenpe)
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Posted on Monday, March 13, 2006 - 9:15 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Dodge ball is fun and most kids love it>
Of course Ive only taught PE 26 years and
may not have a clue. Of course you monitor
it closely and use balls that dont sting.
And you make it clear that trying to hurt someone
is forbidden. I have a great version of it with beach balls. You make a big circle with the class (up to 25 0r 30) and put 2 kids in the middle with beach balls. The object is to hit the other person with your ball before you are hit. You can use your ball as a shield. I have had my worst athletes beat the best by using their brains. You just keep on playing until you have 2 winners (or 2 boys and 2 girls). I usually stand as part of the circle and put boy winner on one side of me and girls on the other. After all have played then the winners play. THEY LOVE IT and beach balls dont hurt anyone.
Mike Graham (Rockfan4ever)
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Posted on Thursday, March 16, 2006 - 4:18 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

26 years of teaching and you can still justify the game? I'm sure you are aware of NASPE's position paper on dodgeball? What are you "teaching" when you play this game? What are the objectives for the lesson? Elimination and standing around waiting for someone to win the game so you can get another chance to play doesn't seem very educational to me. Just because kids love it doesn't mean it is a good activity. Please consider using another activity that helps reinforce throwing and catching skills and where the object of the game is not to hit another person before you get hit yourself.
steve acree (Stephenpe)
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Posted on Friday, March 17, 2006 - 7:23 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Let's see what my "objecives" are during the
1 or 2 days we play some dodgeball out of
the 160 days of PE. Throwing, catching, dodging,
cooperation, in that I encourage the taking of turns. How about fun, elation, excitement, all things I observe during the game. I never read NASPE's position paper but I know what kids love to do that involves much more than someone being struck by a very soft ball. The game goes quickly and all have an opportunity to be the hunter and the hunted. If you had seen the look on my overweight, extremely low skilled 5th grade girl when she beat ALL the good athletes in my beach ball dodge ball game you would rethink your
attitude about my adjusted one on one game.
When almost half of my kids earn fitness awards I know that "standing around" has very little to do with my PE program. I think one of the keys to PE is doing as many different activities so that you can try and turn on all of them, even the ones that struggle to find success in physical activities. If I have to play a little dodge ball
as one of these activities it works for me.
Once again, I monitor the game closely and use balls that are light and dont sting. I have probably played a total of 8 days in the last 5 years.
Jim Clairmont (2talll)
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Posted on Saturday, March 18, 2006 - 9:08 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I still do dodgeball in my PE classes- of course with modifications. I use the soft volleyball trainers rather than "dodgeballs" so there is practically no way the ball can hurt anyone.

In kindergarten we don't use teams, we put a bunch of balls in the middle and each child is "by themselves" and are free to move freely throughout the gym. It basically turns into a tag game because we have the talk about not throwing hard at someone or aiming for their faces. WE play while working on good sportsmanship so the children that do get "out" can sit on the bleachers and cheer on their friends. Each game never lasts more than 3 minutes so children that get out are "getting a rest" before the next game.

In 1st and 2nd grade I soda bottles at the back of the playing area as the "ultimate targets" that they need to knock down in order to win the game. That way, we work on strategy and the "shyer" children feel they are part of the team when they are the bottle blockers or the ones that are trying to knock down the bottles. Any child that is hit with the ball simply has to go to the side and do 10 jumping jacks then they can come back into the game. We focus on the strategy involved in protecting the bottles and knocking them down rather than getting each other out. 9 times out of 10 the children are so focused on getting the bottles down that they stop caring about whether or not the other team is "getting out" and doing their jumping jacks.

BTW, as for dodgeball being in the "hall of shame," I went to Eastern CT State University where Dr Williams is the department chair who is the "lead" in the banning of dodgeball thing. However, A LOT of professors and teachers at the local schools we wokred with- teach dodgeball and taught it to us. ANYTHING in PE can be demeaning and "bad" for the children if not taught the correct way. The thing is, "how do you modify the activity to make if positive?"

I have 700+ kids that LOVE doing ANYTHING in gym class- because things are modified and we focus on "trying your best" and being a good sport. Heck, I had one of my former students come see me and complain about running the mile at the upper elementary school. I said "Ashley, when you were in second grade you ran almost 2 miles doing the popsicle stick race, so why is one mile so bad?" She simply said that it was because we didn't care about how far we ran, we just wanted the popsicle sticks. Modification! The children that ran the entire 15-20 minutes and got the most popsicle sticks got the same grades as the children that needed to walk for most of it- as long as they didn't give up and tried to improve on their score from the previous time.
Chris Washington (Mrc)
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Posted on Tuesday, March 21, 2006 - 8:53 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Dodgeball is a great energy game, but safety nowadays is always an issue. Team dodgeball, with rules, structures, boundaries, as well as safe equipment is a great way to justify playing the game, for collision and other injuries occur less.
James Mutter (Peforyourlife)
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Posted on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 6:57 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I too loved playing this game. The kids today at my school love it too. I bought some of the Gator skin balls and played a modified type dodgeball game. My kids about flipped when I told them we were going to play.

How did I do it?

1. I divided my class in half
2. Half went into the center of a giant circle in the middle of my black top, they were the dodgers.
3. The other half lined up around the circle outside, they are the throwers.
4. I use one gator skin soft ball for the throwers.
5. As a player is hit he/she becomes a thrower.
6. After all the dodgers are gone except for the last the teams switch positions.
Tom Spanton (Pig)
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Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:01 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I believe that any game can be dangerous and that any child may get hurt during PE. I do think that if you modify the rules of dodgeball, then you'll have fewer problems. I play this game with grades 3-6 and they love it. I think that it's an excellent game of tactics, team work and constant movement; one of the best games ever thought of.
Mike Graham (Rockfan4ever)
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Posted on Tuesday, April 11, 2006 - 12:42 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm sure you'll be up for teacher of the year before too long. I hear all the teachers that play dodgeball (especially because the kids like it) are a step ahead of the rest of us that teach using developmentally appropriate activities using instructionally appropriate methods. Good luck with that.
Tom Whatton (Whatts19)
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Posted on Sunday, April 16, 2006 - 4:10 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I feel teaching dodgeball is a great activity for PE. Sure it is fun for the studnents, but it also teaches them necessary skills such as throwing, catching, dodging and fleeing. Teaching physical activities should be fun and if you just teach concepts the kids will be bored and they will learn to hate physical activity. Also, nobody is going to get hurt with a gator skin ball, they are to soft to cause any kind of injury.
Jon Scharpenberg (Jonscharpenberg)
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Posted on Monday, April 17, 2006 - 10:27 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

It's hard for me to believe that we are still debating dodgeball, I would think that we have more important things to do, but here is what I suggest. Put heart rate monitors on all your students and see how many are in their target heart rate zone during your "game" of dodgeball, even when modified you will find that it isn't really that great of game. If you want to teach throwing, catching and dodging send out some gator skin balls at recess and let them play if it truly is a great game that everyone wants to play, just see what happens during recess.
James Mutter (Peforyourlife)
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Posted on Friday, June 16, 2006 - 9:04 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I wish my school and county found PE important enough to supply us with equipment like heart rate monitors. My school is last on the totem pole when it comes to being well supplied. I am working on starting my own fundraising efforts. I was given $1000 dollars for supplies last year. It barely made up for the years of neglect that the equipment has had to endure.

In regard to the dodgeball game I played it for one whole week with my 2nd-6th grade students. That translates into forty whole minutes of dodgeball for my 2-5th graders and 80 whopping minutes for my sixth graders. I only see each class once per week for 40 except for the sixth graders who I see twice at 80 total minutes.
carolyn steenhoek (Steenc4161)
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Posted on Thursday, August 24, 2006 - 11:38 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I play a dodgeball game called "Doctor Dodgeball". Each team has a student that is their doctor.(wears a colored pinnie). When a teammate is hit by a ball they have to squat down and wait for the doctor to heal them, which he does by touching them. The object of the game is to hit the other team's doctor. I use soft balls and no one is ever "out" of the game.They have to come up with strageties to protect their doctor. All levels greatly enjoy playing this game because they are never out of the game.

I teach in South Florida and we do not have gyms, so I'm outside in all kinds of weather. I play this game in the the shade when the temperature is above 90, which it usually from August till December.
steve acree (Stephenpe)
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Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 8:29 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I feel your pain carolyn. Im in N. central fla
and we started early Aug. Anything I can do under a tree is great. That game sound great
and I may try it. My kids love Dball but I dont have much time to play it and I like to supervise it closely. My kids love one on one dodge ball using a beach ball. Its a blast. If you would like the rules send me an email
acree_s@firn.edu
steve acree (Stephenpe)
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Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 8:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I'm sure you'll be up for teacher of the year before too long. I hear all the teachers that play dodgeball (especially because the kids like it) are a step ahead of the rest of us that teach using developmentally appropriate activities using instructionally appropriate methods. Good luck with that.
______________________________________________
As a matter of fact Ive been teacher of the year twice at my school and your holier than me attitude tells me a little more than I want to know.
Paula Summit (Summit5)
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Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 9:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Let's not get nasty here. Mike's scarcastic post was uncalled for. That is no way to bring people into the New PE school of thinking. This is not a forum for scarcasm and put downs.
Joe Herzog (Bigfish344)
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Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 10:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Paula is absolutely correct. This is a forum for discussion even between unpopular viewpoints. Even as you disagree with someone you must respect their right to express their beliefs. If you have sound, developmental,logical arguments against someone's position then present them to the best of your ability. Most people are amenable to change to some degree or another and some are not. The world is not black and white, even though each of us often sees it that way. Be polite, be flexible, be knowledgable but most of all be professional.
Joe Herzog, Fresno
Erik David Forssen (Edfskins)
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Posted on Friday, August 25, 2006 - 11:17 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I agree Paula, and am surprised to read such negative inflexible opinions by some of our own.

Dodgeball can be a great game if taught correctly, and it can be the worst game if taught incorrectly.

Here are the critical elements that make it great:

1. Only use GatorSkin type non-sting balls.
2. When a student is hit, he or she is not eliminated, but must run back to the end of their side and do 5 push-ups, sit-ups, leg raises or squats; rotating between the three, each time they're hit, so that they're building muscular strength in the legs, stomach and upper body. This is called recycling, and a student's minimal amount of PE time should never be wasted by elimination and doing nothing!

4. Students should be informed that the object of the game is to improve their throwing ability, and that throwing to a moving target requires proper technique (letter T), tracking/anticipation and delivery.

5. Students should understand (through clear concise explanation by the teacher) that hurting others is not the object of the game, and that one's aim should be for the knees. Consequences to obvious breaches are also concisely conveyed, and consistently enforced.

I teach dodgeball, kickdodgeball, breakout(a game I created and have taught to PE teachers throughout Washington, Oregon, and California), and Doctor Dodge.

I've never had a serious injury, I've never had a complaint by a parent, teacher, or student, and am amazed by the controversy.

What I find controversial is PE/health specialists that give out candy as a reward, and spend little or no time teaching and promoting the benefits of good nutrition, good food choices, and the negative consequences of too much sugar and fat in ones diet.

What's your district wellness policy like? See if you can get the school board to add the following: Teachers shall not use food as a reward.

James Mutter (Peforyourlife)
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Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 3:20 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

This past year 2005-2006 my budget for supplies was $13 (thirteen dollars). I am working with the PTO and a other resources. My central Florida County would do away with PE altogether if it could get away with it.

Any suggestions as to how to get some extra funds?

I am working with the PTO and I have some other ideas I am going to try to implement this year.

james
Tom Spanton (Pig)
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Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 5:12 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I believe that most PE teachers who only see students one day per week are at a serious disadvantage. I also believe that playing dodgeball a few times during the year is not going to "damage" most kids psyche. It must be nice to have an awesome budget to outfit students with heartrate monitors. I believe that giving children a variety of activities during the year is the best approach. Oh, yeah I was teacher of the year last year Mike! So, thanks for wishing me good luck. I wish I could be so wonderful like you. I'm sure that your kids love your class; it sounds like your developmentally appropriate activities are lots of fun. Sounds like you took a couple too many dodgeballs to the head in earlier years. Lighten up.
James Mutter (Peforyourlife)
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Posted on Saturday, August 26, 2006 - 7:08 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I agree with Tom! I teach Pre-K through sixth grade PE and only see all of the kids once a week for 40 minutes. The sixth graders I have for a total of 80 minutes per week. (Two 40 minute sessions)

The time 36 scheduled class meetings (for the majority of the student) in a school year are not enough time to physcially challenge them. My approach has to not only utilize cognitive skills (utilizing classroom teaching methods to improve reading skills and muscles, bones, and organs and math in addition to even utilizing Japanese, Spanish, German, and French counting in my classes) but also meeting the most important learning area (Dr. Smith at the University of South Florida would agree I am sure) the affective domain.

A large number of my kids love to come to PE because I make it fun, exciting, and consistent. I am there for my stakeholders not the bloody standards, Mike!

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish feed him for a lifetime."

I think if I teach them to enjoy physical activity early then it will not have the negative memories and platoon type stigma.

I teach my students how to have fun. Do you? If you are not, then you have become the sterotypical "DRILL, DRILL, DRILL, DRILL SERGEANT"

With that being said, my kids like to come to my class. Parents tell me their kids love to come to PE. That is very rewarding. I work very hard making sure that my program is safe, physcially enriching, as well as informative.

As stated above, my playing a modified version of dodgeball that encourages throwing, movement, safety, and teamwork for one week out of 36 will not damage the psyche of my students. If anything that will be the week they remember as having had the most fun. We do some other pretty fun stuff too.
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Junior Member
Username: Stephenpe

Post Number: 20
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 5:34 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

By gosh I think we've got it finally going here.
If it takes a few digs at each other to get some discussion going I am all for it. We are all at fault here somewhat and could probably help each more than we know. If we could direct some of this verbal energy toward our kids and the public we might get PE back on a front burner instead of this idiotic one day a week nonsense in Elem.
The AtoZ forum for classroom teachers is a great forum for k-13 folks. I would like our PE forum to do the same. If we could share more of our good ideas about games and equipment we could all
benifit. My apologies to any and all I may have insulted because we are all in this together doing something so important where, thank goodness, the kids let us know how great it is.
Tom Spanton (Pig)
Junior Member
Username: Pig

Post Number: 3
Registered: 4-2006
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 11:32 am:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Steve and James: you are the type of PE teacher that I had as an elementary student; one who allowed me to have fun learning and exercising. The kind of teacher that the kids can't wait to see. The teacher that the rest of the staff envies because most, if not all, of the students love. I understand the importance of teaching age-appropriate skills and for the students to use their minds as well, but in this age of NCLB and the pressure for kids to perform well on the constant battery of tests, what's wrong with a little bit of just plain fun in PE? If all you do is dodgeball and competitive activities, shame on you. But, if you allow kids to be kids once in a while, why not? I won't stop playing my version of dodgeball until my superintendant personally tells me to and even then that might be my cue to get out of education all together. I agree that we are in the battle together, but I don't like the condescending attitude of Mr. Graham. A little constructive criticism is appropriate, but not his "holier than though" attitude. Have a nice day!
steve acree (Stephenpe)
Member
Username: Stephenpe

Post Number: 21
Registered: 8-2005
Posted on Monday, August 28, 2006 - 5:13 pm:   Edit PostDelete PostView Post/Check IPPrint Post   Move Post (Moderator/Admin Only)Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

but in this age of NCLB and the pressure for kids to perform well on the constant battery of tests, what's wrong with a little bit of just plain fun in PE?
______________________________________________
Excellent point. I think PE is a great place for
letting off steam, socialization (no time in that classroom now) and FUN. Sucking the fun out of PE is probably the absolute worst thing you could do to kids. To associate misery with movement would be terrible for kids.

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