Soccer "Season"

At West Side, many middle school students are busy with soccer season. But in P.E., all middle school students are busy with it! This year, we have many different sport seasons rather than units. This type of teaching is part of the Sport Education Model. Teaching students responsibility, team camaraderie, discipline, and competitive spirit are all part of this model.

Students started out the season by creating teams. This can be done in many different ways. The way that worked best for us was this:

1) Each student pairs up with 1 other student who displays the same soccer ability level as him/her.
2)That group of 2 pairs up with another group of 2 equal in playing ability.
3) Then, each group of 4 numbers off 1-2-3-4.
4) Then (surprise!) I split the teams into 4 teams, all the 1's are together, 2's are together, etc.

This method of splitting up students helps create even teams and helps all students excel as they compete against those closest in ability to them.

Once teams are established, students pick their individual responsibilities (team manager, referee, trainer, etc) and the season begins. We have practice days, team competition days, and mix in full class game days. Students are still getting used to mixing it up in all these different ways each day they come.

The 3rd and 4th graders are also busy getting the soccer units underway. In addition to practicing many different soccer skills, drills, and lead-up games, they have been learning how to be Stretch Leaders and have learned the "West Side" chant (also a great abdominal and upper body strength workout)!

Our 4th grade class received their first reward day, for earning 3 "Thumbs Up" days. Their day included 7 different sport stations that they were able to visit while listening to music. We are still deciding what this day should be called -whether Sport Stations, Sports Center, Sports Olympics, or something else. Any ideas?

Our Kindergarten, 1st, and 2nd grade class just began learning about locomotor skills. When I asked my second graders what locomotor skills were, one student said, "Learning how to move your body in different ways." To add to that, having your feet move your body from one place to another. Students are always good at walking and running, but what about jogging, sprinting, hopping, jumping, leaping, skipping, and sliding? We are working together to understand the differences and practice and improve our movements.

Many people part of the West Side community have stopped to peek in the gym after hearing our class music. Music helps in so many ways. Younger students are very rhythmical, so using music allows them to better express themselves, motivates them to keep moving, and helps provide cues for many activities.

Just a reminder:
Middle School Students have this last week in September to complete their monthly activity and eating log.
The Soccer Quiz for middle school students will be next Wednesday, October 3.

Happy Monday!