SUNY Cortland Mini Conference

DR JUDY RINK AT SUNY CORTLAND!






THE FUTURE OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION!




“Windows of opportunity don’t come often.” This is what the main idea of Dr. Judy Rink’s opening session at the Mini conference was last Friday. As I sat there I waited for her to begin speaking thinking that she would soon be telling us about how we as Physical Educators had to work hard to become professionals. However, I was not aware of just how hard we as a profession must work in order to change our culture and the way people view it. Dr. Rink explained that for what seems like the first time ever people seem to be in agreement of what Physical Education should be. Physical Education should have the goal to educate people for a physically active lifestyle. However, we as a profession have obstacles that may interfere with this idea. As physical educators we must be able to bring the school to the community and also bring the community to the school. In other words we must provide means to get our students to stay physically active after they leave school. It also means that we must bring community groups and organizations into the school to show that we are working with them to help keep our community healthier and more physically educated. As physical educators we also must understand how movement is a great medium for learning and we must have active intramural programs and after school programs that give students more opportunities to explore a healthy lifestyle. I came away from Dr. Rink’s speech feeling that there was quite a bit of pressure on each of us if we are to change the way people feel about Physical Education. However, I look at it as a challenge that I can help make a difference in the lives of our future youth. After all, like Dr. Rink said, windows of opportunity don’t happen often and it is up to us to make the most of our chance to improve our youth and help Professionalize our wonderful field.

Lab #1

Today was our first official Lab. I was fortunate enough to work with different age groups. I came in hoping that I could really get down on the same level as the kids and engage with them to find out what kinds of things that they like. First I was able to join some students who were playing a game of checkers. I got to know two students Mike and Liam. They seemed very excited that "the college kids" were going to watch and help them play. We then followed that same group upstairs to the gym and played Flytrap, and blob tag. I found that the younger kids did a pretty good job but that their fine motor skills were definately not as advanced as the older kids. To finish out the day I went over to a group of 5th grade girls and played four square with them. I was impressed as they made many of their own rules and showed much improvement in the fine motor skills that the students who were just three years younger than them did not possess yet. I really enjoyed getting hands on with the kids and hope to continue this and build on it getting to know more students as the semester progresses.

First blog

This is my first time ever blogging! I found that setting up my account was very easy and i look forward to writing more blogs as the semester goes on.