Category: Physical education

  • Title: The Impact of Housing Instability on Families and Communities: Reflections on Evicted by Matt Desmond

    This is based on Matt Desmond’s Evicted chapters 19-24 and Epilogue. In at least 500 words:
    1)  Ch 19 – Landlords repeatedly turned down Pam and Ned’s rental applications because they have children.  Do you think families with children should receive any protection when seeking housing?  Why do you think families with children were not considered a protected class when Congress passed the Fair Housing Act in 1968?
    2) Ch 22- Why do you think Vanetta’s public defender failed to mention that she was attending GED classes, providing childcare and looking for housing every month? How might that information have impacted her sentencing?
    3) Epilogue-Do you agree/disagree with the Desmond’s views on home? “The home is the center of life-a refuge from the grind of work, pressure of school, menace of the streets, a place to be ourselves.  Home is the wellspring of personhood, where our identity takes root; where civic life begins; America is suppose to be a place where you can better yourself, your family, and your community.” How does unstable housing prevent attainment of this kind of life?
    4) Did reading Evicted inspire you to want to help others in positions similar to those of the people in the book? If so, how do you think you might get involved? (Visit justshelter.org to learn more about groups and organizations in you area).

  • “Senior Privileges: The Debate Over Allowing Students to Leave School for Lunch”

    Claim- The conclusion/argument being made
    Clarification- Why do you feel this way?
    Evidence- The data & facts that support you claim
    Warrant- Logically connects the Clarification to the claim
    Rebuttal- Exception to the claim
    Closure- Your closure to the argument?”

    Should seniors be allowed to leave school at lunch to get food?

  • “Exploring Alternative Learning Pathways: A Comparative Analysis of Option Two in Physical Education at Mount Olive High School and Belvidere High School”

    NOTE: This is a 13 slide PPT Presentation + 3-5 page Research Paper on Option 2 in Physical Education. See the provided attachments for reference on the format and further instructions to meet all criteria. 
    Please use the two schools I have listed in the paper and make up answers to the 10 questions I provided for both Mount Olive High School (for Option 2) … and Belvidere High School (against option 2) … see attachment (Option 2 Mid-Point Check-in)
    (Information on Option 2): 
    The New Jersey Student Learning Standards establish a core body of knowledge and skills that all students need in order to become healthy, productive, well-informed, employable citizens of an ever-expanding and changing world. However, not all students will achieve the standards in the same way, at the same pace, or with the same level of success. The New Jersey Department of Education encourages local school districts to permit alternative learning experiences that are stimulating and intellectually challenging, and that enable students to fulfill or exceed the expectations set forth in the Student Learning Standards. Option Two (N.J.A.C. 6A:8-5.1(a)1ii) of the high school graduation requirements allows local school districts to design and/or approve educational experiences that serve as an alternative to traditional instruction. Option Two allows schools to provide a superior education for all students through the use of multiple and diverse paths. Option Two allows local school districts to design and implement curricular programs that meet the needs of all students. The regulations support student participation in deep and meaningful learning experiences that advance student learning and focus on student interest and abilities. 
    Option Two allows students to obtain credit for learning experiences outside of the traditional classroom environment. Option Two may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following: interdisciplinary or theme-based programs, independent study, magnet programs, student exchange programs, distance learning, internships, community service, co-curricular programs, and/or other structured learning experiences. Some of these experiences may provide real-world connections not available in the school setting. Other learning experiences may go beyond what the traditional high school can provide, allowing students to participate in research, international study, or college-level work. 

  • “Applying Physical Activity and Psychosocial Constructs to Promote Health and Wellness: A Synthesis of Course Material for Career Aspirations”

    The purpose of the final paper is to demonstrate your ability to synthesize and apply information from your course work in a usable format consistent with your career aspirations and/or future line of study. Expectations:The body of your paper should be five-to-six pages.
    o This does not include your title page or references. You must adhere to APA format. Use the outline and feedback from your rough draft, as well as other previous assignments, to
    produce a paper that demonstrates your ability to apply course material to the practical situation
    you chose earlier in the semester. You must incorporate physical activity and psychosocial constructs covered in the
    textbook. You must cite and reference academic sources.
     There is no magic number of citations or references: however; citing the same
    reference over and over is not recommended.

  • “Empowering and Inclusive Physical Education: Nurturing Physical Literacy in Diverse Learners” “Building Physical Literacy: A Critical Examination of Teaching Strategies and Their Impact on Students’ Academic, Social, and Emotional Development in Physically Active Disciplines” “Creating an Inclusive and Effective Physical Education Curriculum: My Personal Voice and Ambition”

    Assignment Question – Reflecting on your
    emerging values as a neophyte practitioner, how would you seek to support young
    people’s physical literacy journeys through PE?
    Your response should
    consider:
    1)    The development of an inclusive, value-based
    curriculum.
    2)    The pedagogies utilised to enhance learning and
    engagement.
    3)    The outcomes that define success and how achievement
    is assessed.
    Your assignment can be
    written in the first person and should reveal your ambition for physical
    education based on theoretical knowledge and your applied experiences. Your
    assignment should demonstrate critical thinking and be informed by independent
    reading and research.  
    This essay must be UK based and relevant to The National
    Curriculum for PE
    Essay Outline: Supporting Young People’s Physical Literacy Journeys Through PE
    Introduction
    Define physical literacy and its importance in education.
    State personal teaching philosophy and commitment to inclusive education.
    Preview main points: curriculum development, effective pedagogies, and assessment of outcomes.
    Body Paragraph 1: Development of an Inclusive, Value-Based Curriculum
    Explain the concept of an inclusive curriculum in PE.
    Discuss how to integrate values such as equity, respect, and empowerment into the PE curriculum.
    Mention specific strategies to tailor PE programs to diverse learning needs and abilities.
    Body Paragraph 2: Pedagogies Utilized to Enhance Learning and Engagement
    Describe pedagogical approaches suitable for PE to foster engagement and learning.
    Explore the use of technology, collaborative learning, and experiential learning in PE settings.
    My personal experience – 
    During a challenging ten-month tenure as a full-time agency supply teacher in a secondary school located in a deprived area of Wales, I was entrusted with the responsibility of independently planning and leading physical education sessions for both GCSE groups and groups facing significant challenges. This role not only demanded adaptability and innovation in teaching practices but also a deep understanding of the socio-economic factors affecting student engagement in physical activities. I particularly focused on children who struggled with engagement in lessons, employing strategies informed by motivational theories such as Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD). By creating an autonomy-supportive environment that provided choices within activities, I nurtured intrinsic motivation among the students. Additionally, I leveraged peer mentoring and scaffolded learning experiences tailored to individual capabilities, which helped students to gradually undertake more challenging tasks, thus maintaining their interest and participation. I designed my lessons to be inclusive and resourceful, making use of local amenities and low-cost equipment to ensure that financial constraints did not hinder student participation. My sessions aimed to promote not just physical competence but also vital life skills such as resilience, teamwork, and leadership, thereby reinforcing the role of physical education as a pivotal element of students’ overall educational experience. This period was instrumental in shaping my pedagogical strategies and highlighted the critical importance of adaptability and empathy in teaching, especially in environments with limited resources. 
    Provide examples from research and my personal experience that demonstrate successful pedagogies.
    Don’t just describe the theories like Self-Determination Theory (SDT) and the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD); critically analyze their applicability and limitations in the context of physical education. Discuss situations where these theories may be less effective and propose how they can be adapted or supplemented with other pedagogical strategies to meet the diverse needs of students in deprived areas.
    Support all claims with robust evidence from scholarly sources. However, go beyond mere citation; critically engage with this evidence. Assess the methodologies of significant studies, discuss their findings, and compare different perspectives to show a deep understanding of the subject.
    Reflect on your own experiences, but also critically evaluate them. Discuss what worked well and why, and more importantly, what didn’t work and how you adapted your approach. This reflection should show your ability to learn from practical experiences and apply these learnings to improve your teaching strategies.
    When discussing the outcomes of your teaching methods, critically assess how effective they have been in improving physical literacy. Use specific examples and data where possible. Consider the broader impacts of these outcomes on students’ academic, social, and emotional development.
    Address the ethical implications of teaching practices in physically active disciplines. Critically examine how your methods respect and promote the physical and psychological safety of students, particularly in settings with limited resources.
    Demonstrate originality in your approach to solving problems or overcoming challenges. First-class work often includes innovative solutions that show clear thinking and creativity.
    Ensure that your discussion acknowledges the broader socio-economic, cultural, and political contexts that impact physical education in deprived areas. This shows an ability to think globally about the role of education in society.
    : Structure your essay to build a coherent and persuasive argument. Each paragraph should logically lead to the next, with clear transitions and without any redundant information. This clarity and focus are key indicators of first-class work.
    Body Paragraph 3: Outcomes That Define Success and How Achievement Is Assessed
    Define what success looks like in the context of physical literacy. Refer back to personal experinece to support points. 
    Discuss various assessment methods (formative, summative, peer-assessment) and their applicability in PE.
    Reflect on the role of feedback and reflection in assessing students’ progress in physical literacy.
    Conclusion
    Summarize the key points discussed in the essay.
    Reinforce the importance of a thoughtful, inclusive approach to teaching PE.
    Conclude with a reflection on the potential impact of such an approach on future generations.
    AIMS 
    Thorough Understanding and Integration of Theory: Your essay should show a deep understanding of the theories behind physical literacy, inclusive education, and effective pedagogies. Reference foundational theories and current research to underpin your arguments, showing how these theories directly inform your practice and teaching philosophy.
    Critical Analysis and Reflection: A first-class essay typically includes critical analysis and reflection. This means going beyond describing what you would do, and critically analyzing why these choices are effective, discussing potential challenges, and how you might overcome them. Reflect on your personal experiences and theoretical learning to provide insightful evaluations and propose well-considered solutions.
    Innovative and Practical Solutions: Demonstrate original thinking by proposing innovative approaches to PE that are not only based on theory but are also practical and applicable in real-world teaching environments. Highlight any unique ideas or adaptations you would implement in your teaching practice.
    High-Quality, Academic Writing: The quality of your writing must be excellent, with clear, concise, and well-structured arguments. Use appropriate academic language, and meticulously proofread your work to avoid grammatical or spelling errors.
    Extensive and Appropriate Use of Sources: With a requirement of 55 scholarly articles and books, ensure that your sources are not only numerous but also highly relevant and current. Properly integrate these sources into your text to support your claims, and meticulously follow the specified citation style to demonstrate academic rigor.
    Comprehensive Coverage: Ensure that you comprehensively cover all aspects of the essay prompt, including development of an inclusive curriculum, pedagogical strategies, and assessment of outcomes. Each section should be balanced and thoroughly developed.
    Personal Voice and Ambition: Since the assignment allows for writing in the first person, use this opportunity to express your personal teaching philosophy and professional ambition clearly and persuasively. Your passion for the subject and your commitment to the field of physical education should be evident throughout the essay.
    Effective Organization and Flow: Organize your essay logically and ensure a smooth flow of ideas from one section to the next. Each paragraph should seamlessly lead into the next, maintaining a cohesive narrative throughout the essay.
    I have attacthed an example below. 

  • Title: Assessing Student Learning in a High School Physical Education Lesson on Ultimate Frisbee: A Comprehensive Analysis and Next Steps for Instruction

    Identify the specific learning objectives measured by the assessments you chose for analysis. 
    Provide a graphic (table or chart) that summarizes evidence of student learning for your whole class in the psychomotor, cognitive, and affective domains.  
    Analyze the patterns of learning for the whole class and differences for groups or individual learners relative to competencies targeted in each domain.  
    Cite direct evidence from your assessments. 
    How did you provide feedback to your class?  Was it written, verbal, or both?  Provide ONE clear example of any specified.  
    Describe how you will help your students to understand and use this feedback to further their learning related to learning objectives.  
    Based on your analysis of student learning presented previously, describe the next steps for instruction to impact student learning for your whole class and those with specific needs. 
    Consider the variety of learners in your class who may require different strategies/support (e.g., students with IEPs or 504 plans, English language learners, or students with higher/lower proficiency levels). 
    This should be 5-7 pages (if more is needed, no problem). 
    The space by the chart does not count towards the overall page count.
    Please use this information based on the lesson plan on a high school physical education lesson in ultimate frisbee  focusing on the (forehand and backhand throws). 
    Make up the chart to meet the criteria necessary (per the instructions)
    I also provided my self-evaluation paper which focuses on the overall theme and summary of my lesson plan and the outcome. (Use to reference when writing the paper to include key points). My professor’s name is Professor Wagner if you want to mention him as well.