As students head back to school and the physical education classroom, there are many rules and procedures they must learn to keep our school community safe. I generally spend the first two weeks of school teaching children rules and procedures. We do this through games and activities where they learn to apply the various rules that I have posted on the wall in the gym. I use pictures for my rules. INSPECTOR RESPECT stands for listen and follow directions so everyone can learn, HAPPY HEARTS means treat each other with love and kindness, BEE A LEADER stands for setting a good example for others through hard work and appropriate behavior, SHOO FLY sends the message not to tattle on others. Use words to work out disagreements with others and apologize if necessary, HEALTHY HANDS stands for keeping hands as free from germs as possible by avoiding places like the nose and mouth, TOPSY TURTLE says try your best, PRIVATE SPACE is the personal space around each individual that allows room for work, and GENERAL SPACE is the large work area we use during activity.
We also discussed appropriate voice levels for inside and the concept of Whole Body Listening, which has children focusing on the following: Eyes on the person talking, Ears hearing what the person is saying, Mouth quiet, Hands at sides or in lap, Feet still, Body facing the speaker, Brain engaged and focusing on what is being said, and Heart caring about the person who is speaking. Sometimes a gentle reminder of "whole body listening" is all a child needs to change their behavior.
Students also self assess at the end of each class, deciding if they worked their hardest or did not work their hardest. On their own, they touch one of two ducks when lining up to leave: OOPS (I did not give my best effort) or DAISY (I did my best.). Self assessment helps children look at their own work and determine if they really worked up to their potential. I'm generally impressed with the honesty of young children. After students line up at the door to leave for the day, we do our class cheer, "Hooray for a DAISY day!
Students find the rule that reminds them to listen and follow directions so everyone can learn: INSPECTOR RESPECT
Students practice how to apologize to one another. Our rule is that the word "for" must follow the words "I'm sorry." This helps students be aware of what they have done so they can work to avoid that problem in the future. They finish with a handshake.
Students decide what kind of effort they showed during class.
Class ends with the DAISY day cheer.
On the first day of PE for preschool and prekindergarten classes, I visited classrooms and read the book "I Love Trains." I explained that I am going to be the engineer of the train this year and they are going to be all the cars on my train. The cars must follow the engine. I even have a train whistle that I use when I want students to stop and listen.
