Using PE to boost cross curricular skills

scameron — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 12:11:46 +0000

CASE STUDY Combs Ford Primary School, Stowmarket, Suffolk

A Suffolk primary used the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority’s PE and School Sport (PESS) initiative to rejuvenate the entire school and boost the skills and independence of pupils with special educational needs.

Overview

Developing primary thinking skills with cricket

scameron — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:40:27 +0000

This Primary Know-How section from PE & Sport Today offers lesson activities for:

Year 3 and 4
Year 5
Year 6

Crispin Andrews first explains how striking and fielding activities can develop children's thinking skills

Sport spotlight: Orienteering

scameron — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 09:51:12 +0000

What is orienteering?

Improved play provision for SEN

scameron — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:50:23 +0000

Pathfinder projects which will eventually see the government invest £235m in play spaces over the next three years are under way. Will the new facilities be fully inclusive? Early indications are positive, although projects are still at the planning and consultation stages.

A new curriculum for girls' PE

scameron — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:38:59 +0000

In the majority of secondary schools the teaching of PE looks very similar, with something of ‘an implicit agreement as to what should be included in the curriculum and how it should be taught, with the focus being largely on the sporting model’ (Capel, 2007: 493). Such a model appears to focus mainly on skill acquisition within a traditional curriculum, which places an unbalanced emphasis upon team games and is taught using a limited range of largely didactic pedagogic approaches (Green, 1998; Penney and Evans, 1999; Metzler, 2000; Ofsted, 2002; Kirk and Kinchin, 2003).

Lesson plans: incorporating the Olympics into the primary curriculum

scameron — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 16:28:08 +0000

This information pack offers lesson ideas for the primary curriculum that use the Olympics as inspiration. It includes:

Sport spotlight: Mini-basketball

scameron — Wed, 04 Mar 2009 14:42:14 +0000

The world development is administered by the Federation Internationale de Basketball (International Basketball Federation; FIBA) with headquarters in the city of Geneva, Switzerland. The international objective is to introduce young people to the world of sport in a spirit of friendship and understanding.

The EYFS principles: a breakdown

scameron — Tue, 03 Feb 2009 15:47:52 +0000

We have such a long tradition of excellence in nursery education in this country, reaching back to the McMillan sisters at the turn of the last century and before. Our nursery schools were once the envy of the world; and in 1978, Margaret Donaldson, describing children totally absorbed in their learning in a school garden, wrote:

PE lesson plans: Athletics, basketball and speed

scameron — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:58:39 +0000

Improving technique
These activities are designed to improve student's techniques in athletics.

Duration: 20 minutes

Shooting the basket
This activity is designed to improve a student's shooting and passing skills.

Duration: 20-30 minutes

Cones to drones
This activity will help improve speed and performance.

Duration: 5-10+ minutes

What a load of rubbish!
This activity is designed to get students to work together in a team on a 'recycling' activity.

Computer games to encourage fitness

scameron — Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:18:51 +0000

Beneath Christmas trees across the country and around the world, Nintendo Wiis were wrapped and ready for action. And for once no one could complain about children and young people being couch potatoes as living rooms were transformed into sporting arenas.

Boxing4Schools: tackling youth issues

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 15:04:37 +0000

Boxing4Schools is the first project of its kind in the UK, linking schools with local amateur boxing clubs and endeavouring to address disaffected youths, discipline, respect and the battle against obesity.

The scheme is run in conjunction with the Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) and, for the first time in nearly 50 years, allows secondary school pupils to learn the training skills of non-contact boxing as a regular part of their curriculum.

Sports assessment to encourage physical literacy

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:39:25 +0000

Assessment is much more than simply monitoring progress and ticking boxes. And there is much more to PE than aspiring to run the fastest, jump the highest and perform magical feats with bat or ball.

Cricket games for primary students

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 12:09:02 +0000

Contrary to what certain Australian and Indian cricketers might have you believe, cricket is a striking and fielding, not just a ‘striking’, game. However, the slanging matches and posturing machismo that has taken place Down Under this year provides teachers with an opportunity to take the sort of lighthearted approach to PE that children love.

Encouraging citizenship values through sport

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:57:30 +0000

Like any other international sport, cricket is full of the sort of controversies and drama that can bring a subject like citizenship to life.

Whether examining social and moral responsibilities, facilitating community involvement or developing political literacy, cricket can add contemporary relevance and link abstract concepts to high profile events and real life situations.

The following activity ideas will help children access one particular area of the Key Stage 2 citizenship curriculum – rules and fairness.

Sport spotlight: Cheerleading in schools

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:49:14 +0000

Cheerleading is a vibrant, high energy, athletic discipline that is exploding in popularity. Probably the fastest growing sport across Britain – and certainly the fastest growing spectator sport – major indoor arenas are frequently sold out. Part of its evident appeal is performing in front of large appreciative audiences and being a competitive sport in its own right that is also exciting to watch.

Teaching wrestling

scameron — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 10:27:06 +0000

Do you remember Please Sir and the Welsh teacher (Mr Price) who used to mark his pupils’ books down the pub?

That was the first time I had ever pondered what these highly respected figures did to unwind away from the stresses and strains of ‘the chalk face’.

Becoming involved in Forest Schools

scameron — Mon, 15 Dec 2008 14:58:54 +0000

Making fires, toasting bread and boiling water over the flames; shelter building, climbing trees, cutting down trees, using saws and knives for carving – these are not activities in which children nowadays are generally encouraged to participate. Many observers would say that children have become too cosseted by a nanny mentality, preventing them from exploring and learning to cope with hazards. Teachers have become extremely wary of any activity involving potential health-and-safety hazards, as they do not want to become involved in possible litigation.

Learning together: how collaborative research can benefit students and teachers

scameron — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 11:10:13 +0000

The ‘Learning Together’ project

PE lesson plans: Basketball, badminton and volleyball

scameron — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 12:30:00 +0100

Zone defence
This activity is designed to teach the fundamental concept of zone defence in basketball.

Duration: 20 minutes

Badminton hoops
This activity is intended to improve a studen's badminton skills.

Duration: 20 minutes

Slightly dodgy
This activity will allow students to develop their throwing skills and improve their performance.

Duration: 30 minutes

Foot volleyball
This activity promotes a student's ball control and also reinforces their volleyball skills.

PE lesson plans: Outdoor and adventurous activity

scameron — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 11:20:30 +0100

These rather different PE lesson plans for primary schools are themed around outdoor adventure. Each one involves three separate activities, including an introduction to the theme, the main activity, followed by an evaluation by the pupils themselves, to encourage them to see what they've learnt

Sport spotlight: Schools football

scameron — Tue, 16 Sep 2008 13:25:10 +0100

The English Schools Football Association (ESFA) is the governing body that organises schools football throughout the country, which it does in partnership with the FA. The ESFA aims to provide enjoyable soccer experiences for both primary and secondary school children by offering competitions ranging from mini-soccer for under-11 footballers through to the 11-a-side game for older pupils from Year 7 upwards. Throughout the country, county and district associations affiliated to the ESFA also offer a full programme of competitions and festivals for their schools.

PE lesson plans: General fitness, dexterity and leadership

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:27 +0100

These PE lessons provide a basic framework which can be developed to meet the local needs, age and ability of your students. All are cross-curriculum linked PE games too.

Written by Godfrey Hall

**Taken from The PE File, edited by Sara Evans (no longer published)**

PE lesson plans: Improving thinking skills and team work

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:27 +0100

The Bond game
The objective of this PE activity is to use advanced organisational and strategic concepts and apply them in demanding situations.

Duration: 20 minutes+

1,2,3 and away
This aim of this PE resource is to improve reaction time and develop team work.

Duration: 15 minutes+

Written by Godfrey Hall

PE lesson plans: Counter-balance and counter-tension

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:27 +0100

Lesson 1 The objective of this lesson is to establish meaning and perform examples of counter-balance and counter-tension. Lesson 2 Students will learn to link movements of counter-tension and counter-balance logically, economically and creatively. Lesson 3 This lesson aims to develop trust between partners or groups.

Reading landscapes of economic power and success

sara — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:26 +0100

This resource will help your pupils gain a solid understanding of the study of landscapes – and particularly how and why landscapes change. It provides valuable information, photographs to aid comparisons and maps to visually represent development over the years.

This resource is the answer to all geography teachers' concerns on cementing the position of geography at the centre of the school curriculum.

Written by Charles Rawding - "Silver Award Winner 2008, The Geographical Association"

Enrichment activity (secondary): High and low - managing success and failure

sara — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:25 +0100

Written by John Senior

High and low - managing success and failure

Participating in sports involves competitive spirits as the main focus is coming first, second or third. For some people, it can be difficult to discriminate between realistic and idealised standards. This leads to external pressure for the sports player, but also self-imposed pressure. This level of perfectionism can cause both tension and performance-threatening stress issues.

Geography lesson plan: Caribbean fishermen

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:28:24 +0100

This game is a simulation activity for all key stages, based around the lives of fishermen on a small Caribbean island.

The game can be used with as few or as many students as desired, and can be managed by a teacher or self-operated by pupils.

Written by Rex Walford

Enrichment Activities: Sportswear design and the use of slang

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:21:43 +0100

This week's primary enrichment activity looks at slang and asks pupils to develop and use their own private language.

This week's secondary enrichment activity explores the potential psychological effects and competitive advantages of new developments in swimwear.

***Primary Enrichment***

KS 2: Modern Foreign Languages (MFL)

read more

Spotlight on coaching

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:21:42 +0100

Introduction

As learning institutions, schools are often on the look out for methods of enhancing the way learning is achieved. Sometimes the simplest of changes can increase effectiveness and efficiency, not least in the way in which we learn for ourselves.

read more

Out-of-school activities: tips for SENCOs

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 12:21:41 +0100

The summer term is traditionally the time for adventure camps, field trips and visits to places of interest − enriching the curriculum for all children and often providing them with memorable experiences. How can we ensure that these activities are as enjoyable and positive as possible for pupils with SEN?
Out-of-school activities

read more

Playful science

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:21:00 +0100

Letting children play as part of their mental and physical development has, until recently, always been taken for granted, but in today’s society it seems to be becoming more and more restricted. A combination of parental anxiety mixed with excessive legislative demands placed on teachers has forced some schools to move away from play-based activities and turn towards a more formal (and some would say, in terms of science teaching, more boring) approach to teaching.
read more

Sport spotlight: Rock-It-Ball

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:59 +0100

“A pinch of pelota, a little lacrosse, a dash of dodgeball and a whole lot of RockIt” – that’s the recipe for Rock-It-Ball, a unique new sport which is sweeping schools in the UK and attracting interest from abroad. So what’s the story so far?

Rules
Rock-It-Ball is designed to be versatile and flexible so there are several versions but when people talk of Rock-It-Ball they are generally referring to the ‘official’ version as used in Federation tournaments.

read more

Persevering with sport: Alex Chambers

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:59 +0100

The long-term health benefits of physical activity for children during their school years are undisputed. What is not always so widely recognised is the significant role that PE and sport can play in helping children to develop their leadership skills.

read more

Developing leadership using sport in schools

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:59 +0100

The long-term health benefits of physical activity for children during their school years are undisputed. What is not always so widely recognised is the significant role that PE and sport can play in helping children to develop their leadership skills.

read more

Learning through dance

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:59 +0100

Callington Sports College is part of a mixed comprehensive school in central eastern Cornwall attended by over 1,250 students. The college was awarded sports college status in 2000 and strives to make the entire educational experience “challenging, stimulating and worthwhile”.

read more

Storytelling to facilitate inclusion

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:59 +0100

A wet and windy Friday afternoon in winter. A temporary classroom in a special school in Sussex. Enter a storyteller with two large bags. Mission: to transform the class, and transport six teenagers with a range of additional learning needs into a world of imagination and communication, involving a woman with no teeth, a Victoria sponge and a well of truth. Time to prepare: 15 minutes. Enter six students and three adults. What follows are 60 minutes that leave the storyteller tired but fulfilled, and the teenagers and adults better communicators.

read more

Governors: getting involved in your school's sport

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:58 +0100
Not only does PESSCL (PE, school sport and club links strategy) provide the governing body as a whole with a framework and set of targets against which the capacity of a school to deliver high quality physical activity can be measured, but it also provides a professional infrastructure around which individual governors with interest and expertise in the area can make a personal contribution to an important aspect of child development.

read more

Making PE accessible to pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:58 +0100

PE can be difficult for children with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). Its very nature as an active subject, which often focuses on performance and competition, presents a range of challenges to pupils who can find it difficult to regulate their conduct and to channel their energies positively.
read more

The road to a creative curriculum

scameron — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:54 +0100

RECOMMENDED RESOURCE: For a step-by-step, chapter-by-chapter guide to developing your school’s curriculum, see The Creative Primary Curriculum.

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read more

Innovative teaching of PE and sport

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:50 +0100
Childhood obesity is recognised as a major problem: there has been a 40% increase in childhood obesity within the UK over the past 10 years. Now over 60% of two- to 15-year-old children are overweight. Children spend a lot of their time in cars, on computers or watching television. Doctors have warned that overweight children are increasingly suffering from health problems usually associated with middle age, such as joint pains and diabetes. Not surprisingly, schools are being urged to tackle the issue by teaching nutrition and encouraging more physical exercise.
read more

Scheme of work: Thinking actively in a social context Year 6 science

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:45 +0100
Thinking Actively in a Social Context (TASC) is a tremendously powerful tool for reaching and extending all the learners in a mixed-ability class, especially the most able. I went on a TASC course led by Belle Wallace and listened to some fascinating presentations by teachers who had tried the method. I bought a TASC Wheel Problem Solving pack and waited for an opportunity to try it out. Go straight to the scheme of work.

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Guy Claxton's character curriculum for the learning age

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:45 +0100

We seem to live in a morally bashful age. Perish the thought that anyone might try to ‘impose their values’ on anyone else. Education colludes with this squeamishness by pretending that the only serious questions it faces are technical ones. How are we going to raise standards? What are the most appropriate methods for testing students, and when, and how much? Should we have 14-16 diplomas, or a six-term year? But words like ‘standards’ and ‘appropriate’ merely finesse the underlying moral questions.
read more

Old style 'school trips'

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:43 +0100
It sometimes seems that prospective headteachers should be tested for courage. It’s what you need when the coaches leave the playground off on an expedition and malevolent whispers of doubt drift into your mind. One coach driver used his phone to send text messages as he drove last week. His firm were horrified when the school rang in, from a land phone, to complain.
read more

Thinking skills: Thinkathon

admin — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:42 +0100
In Flora Thompson’s novel Lark Rise to Candleford a school inspector asks why a boy is ‘idling’. ‘I was only thinking what to say,’ is the boy’s reply. Thinking might have been seen as idleness in late Victorian England, when this scene is set, but we now know that it is a skill that can be developed, and supporting this process has become a major part of the teaching strategy in many UK schools.

read more

Risk and challenge in the early years

jlee — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 10:20:38 +0100

A philosophy of empowering children
Southway Early Childhood Centre is an 80-place multicultural children’s centre situated in an ethnically diverse area close to Bedford town centre. Children attending Southway come from a variety of ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds. The centre is in the top 10% of deprived areas nationally.
read more

Active learning

Developing Citizenship: about the project

Developing life skills using inside and outside environments

Magic science lessons

PE lesson plans: Coordination, running and throwing skills

PE lesson plans: Fitness programme, choreography and game plans

Using PE to boost cross curricular skills

Developing primary thinking skills with cricket

Sport spotlight: Orienteering

Improved play provision for SEN

A new curriculum for girls' PE

Lesson plans: incorporating the Olympics into the primary curriculum

Sport spotlight: Mini-basketball

The EYFS principles: a breakdown

PE lesson plans: Athletics, basketball and speed

Computer games to encourage fitness

Boxing4Schools: tackling youth issues

Sports assessment to encourage physical literacy

Cricket games for primary students

Encouraging citizenship values through sport

Sport spotlight: Cheerleading in schools

Teaching wrestling

Becoming involved in Forest Schools

Learning together: how collaborative research can benefit students and teachers

PE lesson plans: Basketball, badminton and volleyball

PE lesson plans: Outdoor and adventurous activity

Sport spotlight: Schools football

PE lesson plans: General fitness, dexterity and leadership

Taken from The PE File, edited by Sara Evans (no longer published)

PE lesson plans: Improving thinking skills and team work

PE lesson plans: Counter-balance and counter-tension

Reading landscapes of economic power and success

Enrichment activity (secondary): High and low - managing success and failure

Geography lesson plan: Caribbean fishermen

Enrichment Activities: Sportswear design and the use of slang

Spotlight on coaching

Out-of-school activities: tips for SENCOs

Playful science

Sport spotlight: Rock-It-Ball

Persevering with sport: Alex Chambers

Developing leadership using sport in schools

Learning through dance

Storytelling to facilitate inclusion

Governors: getting involved in your school's sport

Making PE accessible to pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties

The road to a creative curriculum

Innovative teaching of PE and sport

Scheme of work: Thinking actively in a social context Year 6 science

Guy Claxton's character curriculum for the learning age

Old style 'school trips'

Thinking skills: Thinkathon

Risk and challenge in the early years

**Taken from The PE File, edited by Sara Evans (no longer published)**