Today we got all suited up in our inline pads and practiced skating around the Field House. While it feels a little more safe in the field house, it's got more friction than out on the tennis courts, so you slow down pretty quickly. We practiced some hockey skills, and then broke for lunch. After lunch, we could either play a hockey game or we could practice our circus arts.
I decided to practice circus arts and made some progress on my unicycling. Whoo!
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Honor's Camp Presentations
Today we all got dressed up and presented on our topics for Honor's Camp. I was really impressed with the variety of ideas we all had, and also at how well we can all dress up if we want to! :)
Still a little unsure of how I'm going to like Honor's Camp.... could be good, could be bad!
Still a little unsure of how I'm going to like Honor's Camp.... could be good, could be bad!
Monday, April 27, 2009
P.E.A.K & Indo Boards
Friday morning I attended a session about Indo Boards. I'm sure you all are asking the same question I did when I heard that term; what the heck are Indo Boards??
Indo Boards are surfboard-inspired boards that are used on a variety of different types of rolling/unstable objects and that force you to use your balancing skills to stay on. I attended the morning session, where we helped introduce the D.P.E. students to the Indo boards. While everyone in the class were able to get on and at least balance, we had two exceptional students who obviously did board sports and picked up on the activity very quickly. They were soon doing skateboarding moves and other tricks the session host introduced to and challenged them with.
I think the Indo boards are a great way to get physical education students doing something different, and will highlight the skills of those who are generally considered "less skilled", simply because their athletic abilities and taste run in a different direction. Also, the Indo boards are fairly individualized, so students can move at their own pace and challenge themselves accordingly.
Saturday I helped out with Central's conference, P.E.A.K. (Physical Education Activity Kaleidoscope). I volunteered to help with the heart rate monitor table, which was fun and it was great introducing the idea of heart rate monitors into classrooms. Since the table was in the cafeteria/commons, I was able to see every session going on in that area, which was nice or else I would probably not have learned anything. Mr. Hagbo re-introduced GeoFitness to us, for both elementary and secondary levels, the dance instructor for Orchesis taught two short routines, and Mrs. D'Acquisto introduced us to Express Core workouts (my abs are STILL sore!).
I found the conference to be small, and yet still educational, although I tend to enjoy smaller crowds of people in general. Would have loved to see Mr. Affholter's presentation on Bigger, Faster, Stronger... maybe next year.
Indo Boards are surfboard-inspired boards that are used on a variety of different types of rolling/unstable objects and that force you to use your balancing skills to stay on. I attended the morning session, where we helped introduce the D.P.E. students to the Indo boards. While everyone in the class were able to get on and at least balance, we had two exceptional students who obviously did board sports and picked up on the activity very quickly. They were soon doing skateboarding moves and other tricks the session host introduced to and challenged them with.
I think the Indo boards are a great way to get physical education students doing something different, and will highlight the skills of those who are generally considered "less skilled", simply because their athletic abilities and taste run in a different direction. Also, the Indo boards are fairly individualized, so students can move at their own pace and challenge themselves accordingly.
Saturday I helped out with Central's conference, P.E.A.K. (Physical Education Activity Kaleidoscope). I volunteered to help with the heart rate monitor table, which was fun and it was great introducing the idea of heart rate monitors into classrooms. Since the table was in the cafeteria/commons, I was able to see every session going on in that area, which was nice or else I would probably not have learned anything. Mr. Hagbo re-introduced GeoFitness to us, for both elementary and secondary levels, the dance instructor for Orchesis taught two short routines, and Mrs. D'Acquisto introduced us to Express Core workouts (my abs are STILL sore!).
I found the conference to be small, and yet still educational, although I tend to enjoy smaller crowds of people in general. Would have loved to see Mr. Affholter's presentation on Bigger, Faster, Stronger... maybe next year.
Friday, April 24, 2009
Frisbee
Today the red group met in the field house and worked on our frisbee skills. I was quite a bit rustier than I thought I would be, but after just having time to throw back and forth with a partner, muscle memory returned and my throws were relatively accurate (except for the one that beaned my professor in the head(Sorry, Leanne!). After our hour-long lunch break, we played a few games of Ultimate Frisbee and then headed outside for some Frisbee Golf. THAT was hilarious. The wind was blowing fairly hard (like it usually does), so unless you were heading towards an eastward target, you took at least 4 throws to get there, and that was without the frisbee falling into the baseball field and the roped off area (...not that that happened to OUR group...).
Again, another skill I need to work on. Actually, my catching is pretty secure, and my throwing isn't terrible (although both my forehand and backhand throws need work), but it's the throwing-to-a-running-partner-without-them-changing-speed challenge that will need the most practice. I wonder how that will be graded? I suppose as long as the person you're throwing to doesn't lunge forward after the frisbee it should be okay, or at least you would think.
Again, another skill I need to work on. Actually, my catching is pretty secure, and my throwing isn't terrible (although both my forehand and backhand throws need work), but it's the throwing-to-a-running-partner-without-them-changing-speed challenge that will need the most practice. I wonder how that will be graded? I suppose as long as the person you're throwing to doesn't lunge forward after the frisbee it should be okay, or at least you would think.
Our intense game of Ultimate Frisbee.
All you ever wanted to know about Frisbee:
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Mountain Biking and Archery
Today the red group headed out to Dr. Mathias' house for a taste of some off-road mountain biking and some education in the sport of archery.
We started with biking, which was fun, as well as completely exhausting. Obviously there are some training sessions that need to happen before the skills test because all of us need the endurance training. It makes me wish that I could run out and actually buy an appropriate bike for this ride, or really maybe I'd just like a bike that actually stops when I push on the brakes. I suppose as long as we don't need to stop and rest on the way down it shouldn't be too bad, right?
We took our lunch break and then headed down to the targets to work on some archery. It was definitely a fun experience; I've done archery one or two times through camps growing up, but
it's been over 5 years since I've touched a bow, so needless to say my accuracy was a bit off. The whole experience was fun, but I will say that it irritates me when I can't read people, and this was one of those days. People that are hard to read make me feel uncomfortable when around them, because you're never quite sure whether they're enjoying being with others, or whether they're just irritated, which often seems to be the vibe I pick up.
We started with biking, which was fun, as well as completely exhausting. Obviously there are some training sessions that need to happen before the skills test because all of us need the endurance training. It makes me wish that I could run out and actually buy an appropriate bike for this ride, or really maybe I'd just like a bike that actually stops when I push on the brakes. I suppose as long as we don't need to stop and rest on the way down it shouldn't be too bad, right?We took our lunch break and then headed down to the targets to work on some archery. It was definitely a fun experience; I've done archery one or two times through camps growing up, but
it's been over 5 years since I've touched a bow, so needless to say my accuracy was a bit off. The whole experience was fun, but I will say that it irritates me when I can't read people, and this was one of those days. People that are hard to read make me feel uncomfortable when around them, because you're never quite sure whether they're enjoying being with others, or whether they're just irritated, which often seems to be the vibe I pick up. Thursday, April 16, 2009
Rockclimbing and In-Line Skating
Now TODAY was fun! I've never seriously rockclimbed before, and have never attempted it outdoors, so this afternoon was really my first experience doing any sort of challenging climbing. And it was a lot of fun... and tiring, for sure! We were able to work both individually and in partners, creating our own routes and following those that were designed by the wall creators and installers. I've seen these at the schools around Ellensburg, but since I hadn't really experienced them before, it was never really something that I "Ooo'ed" and "Awe'ed" over. Now I can see why it's something that is a great alternative activity for the P.E. class, both physically and mentally.
After rockclimbing, we had lunch and then traded spots with the grey group and headed downstairs for in-line skating. Um... it's been about 4 years since I've slipped on a pair of skates, and my performance today showed! I was a little uncomfortable with having class outside on the tennis courts; yes, it was nice, but embarrassing myself in front of every student that was either walking to class or heading home had front rows seats to my ridiculousless. Oh well. I will say that today was the first time EVER in a pair of skates that I was able to move backwards, even if with poor form. I'm hoping that with a little more practice, I'll be able to move more comfortably on the skates and not fall so much!
After rockclimbing, we had lunch and then traded spots with the grey group and headed downstairs for in-line skating. Um... it's been about 4 years since I've slipped on a pair of skates, and my performance today showed! I was a little uncomfortable with having class outside on the tennis courts; yes, it was nice, but embarrassing myself in front of every student that was either walking to class or heading home had front rows seats to my ridiculousless. Oh well. I will say that today was the first time EVER in a pair of skates that I was able to move backwards, even if with poor form. I'm hoping that with a little more practice, I'll be able to move more comfortably on the skates and not fall so much!Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Circus Arts
Yesterday, aside from beginning our blogs, we also were introduced to the flower sticks. Last week, we were also introduced to the diabolo, and how to unicycle. MY excitement for the class certainly dimished slightly that day! After having some time to practice for a bit, I'm more hopeful, but this will definitely be a challenging class, as well as frustrating. Although, as explained the first day, that is exactly our what our profs have intended for us, and with that we must be content, or at least accepting.
All in all, the flower sticks weren't really bad; I remember dabbling with them in elementary school, but tricky nonetheless. But practice makes perfect, yes? Soon I'll have to start religiously checking out equipment to practice, because at this rate, there will be no A for me in that section of the class.
All in all, the flower sticks weren't really bad; I remember dabbling with them in elementary school, but tricky nonetheless. But practice makes perfect, yes? Soon I'll have to start religiously checking out equipment to practice, because at this rate, there will be no A for me in that section of the class.
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
Movement 3: The Beginning
My first thought about this class after our first meeting and reading through the syllabus was, "Way fun!".
Then came the second day, were we were told that our grades would be based on our expertise in a number of activities that many of us hadn't tried since elementary school, or ever. I remember feeling frustrated, cheated, and confused; wasn't this something we had been taught NOT to base grades on? After some bickering, complaining, and explaining, things became more clear, but not in any way less daunting.
I suppose the fact that many of our classes this quarter require less outside work than the previous two, which makes the task of practicing outside of class slightly more manageable, if not just possible. Had this class been offered during any quarter other than this one, I have no doubt in my mind that I would not have passed. Not that I don't believe I can pass, but with all of the other assignments and outside work, I literally had little to no time for myself, let alone practice the diablo, flower sticks, unicycling, juggling, and the seven other tasks we must master in order to snag an A in one portion of our grade.
"When Health is absent, Widsom cannot reveal itself; Art cannot become manifest; Strength cannot be exerted; Wealth is useless; and Reason is powerless." - Herophilus, 300 B.C.
Then came the second day, were we were told that our grades would be based on our expertise in a number of activities that many of us hadn't tried since elementary school, or ever. I remember feeling frustrated, cheated, and confused; wasn't this something we had been taught NOT to base grades on? After some bickering, complaining, and explaining, things became more clear, but not in any way less daunting.
I suppose the fact that many of our classes this quarter require less outside work than the previous two, which makes the task of practicing outside of class slightly more manageable, if not just possible. Had this class been offered during any quarter other than this one, I have no doubt in my mind that I would not have passed. Not that I don't believe I can pass, but with all of the other assignments and outside work, I literally had little to no time for myself, let alone practice the diablo, flower sticks, unicycling, juggling, and the seven other tasks we must master in order to snag an A in one portion of our grade.
"When Health is absent, Widsom cannot reveal itself; Art cannot become manifest; Strength cannot be exerted; Wealth is useless; and Reason is powerless." - Herophilus, 300 B.C.
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