Mr. Harding's Blog

Summer Time

2010-08-06T09:04:00.000-07:00

I'd like to say hello to everyone from Cupar School and other readers of this blog. It has been a while since I have been on here, and I had to change my comment moderation, but that's alright.

Anyway, I hope you all are having a safe and relaxing summer. I am going to be at the school periodically for the next week or two. If you are bored and see my vehicle at the school; feel free to stop in for a visit!

Looking forward to seeing all of you in the fall!

Mr. Harding

Homework, etc.

2010-02-04T10:07:00.000-08:00

Update on homework:

Phys. Ed. 20/30
- Finish Benchmark Fitness Appraisals
- Personal Circuit Training Project - DUE FRIDAY
- Skating - Friday (MUST HAVE CSA Approved Helmet!!!)

Career & Work Exploration
- Job placement dates have been set for April 26-30
- Search for 2nd job placement will begin on Monday
- Occupational Health & Safety background info questions
- WHMIS Quiz next week

Info Pro 10/30
- Keyboard test this Friday - CANCELLED
- "How teens use media" summaries - Tuesday, Feb 23
- Business Design Projects - Tuesday, Feb 23

Plus Time 8
- Bring reading or homework

Questions??

Have safe and relaxing break!

PE/Health 9 & Wellness 10 Resource

2010-02-04T07:43:00.000-08:00

This is not a sales pitch, but I felt that I needed to get this information "out there" for teachers of Health/PE 9 and Wellness 10. This year, I have been using the resource "Healthy Active Living", published by Thompson Books.

This resource has everything that you could possibly need. It is current, researched information and it's 100% Canadian. If you have any extra budget, I would highly recommend getting the text, workbook (9 & 10) and the teacher resource manual.

Here is a link that will get you informational brochures that you could take to your administrators, as well as ordering/purchasing/cost information:

http://www.thompsonbooks.com/

- Go to Health & Phys. Ed on the left of the page
- Scroll down and find Healthy Active Living (click on the blue link)

Does anyone else have this resource?

Pancake Breakfast

2010-02-03T20:09:00.001-08:00

Reminder - The Semester Kickoff Pancake Breakfast is tomorrow from 7-9 am at Cupar School. Cost is just $3.00. All proceeds will go to the Creation of Hope project headed by Mr. Berg. Come out and support a worthy cause! Hope to see everyone out!

Students and Technology

2010-02-03T07:10:00.000-08:00

Yesterday was our first Information Processing class. After we had finished going over routines, procedures, and course outlines; I had the students answer a few survey like questions on the board. Here is the response I got:

How many hours do you use a computer in a day?

0-0.5 - 0 students
0.5-1 - 9 students
2 hours - 13 students
3 hours - 1 students

How many of you have a cellular phone?

22 out of 23 students raised their hand... The one student was somewhat embarrassed that he did not raise his hand, however, I was quick to inform him that I was 21 before getting a cell phone

How many times per day do you use your cell phone?

Every student in the class responded that they constently use their phone for texting friends... We estimated that the average amount of time spent on their cellular device on a weekday would be approximently 4-5 hours

How many students use social networking (ie. facebook, twitter, myspace, etc.)

22 out of 23 students have a Facebook account, a handful had myspace, zero had a blog, and they all came to a consensus that Twitter was "stupid"... I do not know how it works

How many students still use encyclopedias?

ZERO - Does anyone use them anymore?

Conclusions

I was very interested in the response I was going to get. I wasn't shocked with the results that came out of the group. This generation of students have many technological capabilities. As a teacher, I believe it is important to use technology as a "tool" to achieve learning outcomes in subject specific areas.

One of the biggest issues with technology is ensuring it is used properly. We need to educate students how to choose resources wisely. How do we evaluate the validity of the information that we have found? This is vital question teachers need to address, because despite the abundance of information that is out there, not all of it is reliable.

The use of technology is going to continue to grow rapidly. We need to embrace it and use it to our advantage.

Thoughts??

Have a great day!

Semester II Starts Tuesday, February 2nd

2010-01-29T10:51:00.000-08:00

Just a reminder (I'm sure you all haven't forgotten) there are NO CLASSES on Monday. Classes resume on Tuesday, Feb. 2. Have a great weekend!!!

Connections between Marijuana and Schizophrenia

2010-01-28T21:01:00.000-08:00

It is very tough to ignore the physiological and psychological effects of drug abuse. It is also difficult to ignore the way it can affect the family, friends, peers, or teachers of those who abuse.

For those of you that know me well enough, my interest in this piece will not suprise you. However, for those that do not know me, I do a lot of reading and research on the affects drugs have on people. I do everything that I can as a health education teacher to make the middle years students of Cupar School aware of the negative effects of drug abuse.

Why? I think it is just something that I feel very strongly about. Ever since I was 15 or 16 and saw other teens using drugs, I have always taken some kind of stance against them. Most people always felt I judged them for their choices, but I honestly tried not to. I respect people for the choices they make and even if I do not agree I realize it is their own personal decision.

http://www.cbc.ca/documentaries/natureofthings/2010/downsideofhigh/

Breast Cancer Awareness Luncheon

2010-01-28T14:18:00.001-08:00

The Prairie Women on Snowmobiles is a group who raises funds and awareness for breast cancer research. They will be passing through Cupar on this year’s 10th anniversary tour tomorrow (January 29). The town is hosting a luncheon for them and all proceeds will be going to breast cancer research. The luncheon will be held at the Cupar Town Hall. Cost is $5.00. Hope to see everyone out!

Goalball

2010-01-28T13:37:00.001-08:00

This morning, in my Advisory 9 class, one of the students in the class was reading my spiel on Physical Literacy. In the resource provided by Canadian Sport for Life there is a page that talks about foundational movement. He came across a game called "Goalball". When he asked me what it was, I had no idea. We googled it.

What a great game!! It is a sport played in the Paralympic Games by athletes who are either blind or visually impaired. I have attached two links; the first is a detailed explanation of the game from the Canadian Blind Sports Association. The other is a video of a game from the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games. Check it out:

1) http://www.canadianblindsports.ca/eng/goalball/index.htm

2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zRe6zYNjdM

This would be an excellent integration activity for students with visual impairments in a Physical Education class or Intramural Program. You could tape black electricians tape to badminton goggles, find a ball similar to the official "Goalball" and use pylons for goals. I am definitely going to try this soon!

Again, this game really reemphasizes the fact that ALL children need to be "Physically Literate". These athletes, despite their visual impairments, still have fundamental movement skills which have allowed them to excel in this particular sport.

Thoughts?? Suggestions?? Has anyone ever played this??

Have a great day!

Literacy - A Physical Education Teacher's Point of View

2010-01-27T15:19:00.000-08:00

Literacy is such an imperative concept for young people. It is what we, as teachers thrive to strengthen and foster from when a child enters elementary school until they walk across the stage on their final graduation day. We hope that they use these literary skills in many different capacities for the rest of their lives.

As a physical education teacher, I still attempt to do my best using content area reading strategies as much as possible at the middle and senior levels. I realize this will benefit students in their core subject areas and I am all for it. However, my number one concern is keeping kids active! I was watching Global National News two nights ago and they had a segment regarding Canadian fitness levels. It talked about how our levels have consistently declined since 1981 and how youth are at so many health risks because of inactivity levels. This is not a real big secret considering the amount of publicity and media attention the topic has received, but what is being done about it?

Let's introduce the term Physical Literacy. What does that mean? What does "gym class" have to do with literacy?

The Canadian Sport for Life Foundation defines the term Physical Literacy "...is the development of fundamental movement skills and fundamental sport skills that permit a child to move confidently and with control, in a wide range of physical activity, rhythmic (dance) and sport situations".

Looking at this definition, it can lead us to the conclusion that children's fitness levels are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to term "Physical Literacy". My personal belief is that constant participation in daily physical activity and fitness, especially at a young age, will create a foundation that allows for development of fundamental skill.

I guess this is my spiel on making students, teachers, and parents aware of Physical Literacy. When parents and teachers help students with their letter sounds or nightly reading routines, it is a step toward improving a child's ability to be literate. We don't just rely on class time for these skills to improve. It takes time and repetition. The same comparison can be made to dribbling a basketball. LeBron James definitely didn't rely on daily physical education classes to excel to an advanced level of understanding for the skill. Many hours of repetition and practice went into his development. The challenge is; what can students, parents, and teachers do in order to continue to take steps toward being "physically literate"? As effective decision makers, we need to remember that it is never to late to expand our knowledge!

In order to better your understanding for the concept of "Physical Literacy", I am providing you with a resource developed by Canadian Sport for Life. The following link is quite lengthy and will take some time to load, but it is a very interesting read:

http://www.canadiansportforlife.ca/upload/docs/LTAD%20Downloads%20Eng/Developing%20Physical%20Literacy.pdf

Remember; your comments are always appreciated!!!

Welcome!!

2010-01-27T13:38:00.000-08:00

Hello everyone! Thanks for viewing my page. Check back for recent updates and feel free to comment on any of the posts that I have on my page. My intention is to post any announcements, homework assignments, or pieces of interest that may create good conversation. As far as commenting goes, please refrain from derogatory, offensive or inappropriate remarks of any type.

Have a great day!!