In my opinion, students need positive rewards now more than ever! Surely, you can make an argument about intrinsic versus extrinsic motivation…. but that's for another blog post. All I know is that I love my job, but I wouldn't work for free! So, with that said, how can we motivate students to do the …
If you are anything like me, you are always looking for new ideas, strategies, activities, and/or methodologies that foster holistic development in students. Several years ago I was in a professional rut and could not stand the feeling, so I made a conscious decision to step out on a journey to change how I was …
The greatest threat to public health is the way we live, and the systems which influence our choices. People, institutions prioritize convenience and the unfortunate norms of modern life, wrap them in the generous title of ‘efficiency’ and unintentionally degrade the experience – the existence – of those we would like to see succeed. Schools …
The unique skill set educators hold making them capable elected officials. Izzy Gogarty is a full-time Middle School Health Educator in Middlebury, Vermont, and at night, Izzy heads to Town Hall to serve on her seven-person Selectboard. At twenty-three years old, Izzy was elected to her seat following a successful political campaign supported by her …
(For those of you counting at home, even the title is seven words.) Don't do it! This might be from the “advice that is easier to give than to take” category. It's unfortunate, but there are people who will go out of their way to ruin our fun. Kids in school can be mean sometimes, …
Whether at home, in healthcare, the classroom, or the workplace the importance of self-advocacy is undeniable. However, even for an adult, self-advocating isn’t always easy. The ability to “speak-up for [ourselves] and the things that are important to [us]” is a necessary life skill. As young people’s trusted adults we can both teach and model …
For nearly fifty years, schools have turned to Candor Health Education (formerly The Robert Crown Center for Health Education) to educate their students on puberty and sex education. For decades, the vast majority of schools have selected 5th grade as the year for puberty education, with many schools waiting until the very end of 5th grade to …
Continue reading Puberty is Starting Earlier – Kids Need the Facts Earlier Too
Though the opioid epidemic has been well publicized, the landscape of this epidemic is ever evolving and changing; and ultimately the prevalence of these harmful drugs persists. So how do we support our young people in developing an awareness and understanding of the dangers of opioids? Increased education. It appears that young people are more …
For adolescents going through puberty, it’s never going to be an easy time. But for those experiencing their period for the first time, it can be even more difficult due to things like lack of education and knowledge on the menstrual cycle, the social stigma that surrounds periods, and the issue of being able to …
Change is an inevitable part of life. Just like the seasons, we go through different phases and transitions that shape who we are and where we are headed. Inspired by Mercedes Sosa's song, "Cambia, Change," I want to explore the significance of change and the transitions that lead to personal growth and new opportunities. Embracing …
One of the first times I observed a PE class, the teacher explained to me that PE can be organized chaos or just chaos! That thought has crossed my mind several times throughout the course of my teaching career. Here are a few things that have helped me engage students in physical activity in a …
Continue reading Tips and Tricks for Classroom Management in PE
When I first started teaching, I remember being shocked and reactive to the outward behavior displayed by students. This could be pointed to several different reasons, but the result was still the same - I expected all students to behave the way I would or the way I assumed someone should behave/react. Little did I …
Do you ever wonder if what you’re doing in the classroom is working? Is it actually having an impact on health behavior? In an attempt to ensure I was making a difference, I did some research into what actually works. That’s when I found out about the Social Norms Approach. When employed, this approach has …
I am on the Meaningful Physical Education (MPE) Framework bandwagon. There are lots of reasons for that, but I only have 500 words so to make it short I want students “Moved to Move”. To me, the best way to do that is through meaningful connection. As more people discuss it with me, quite a …
Continue reading Making Meaningful Physical Education Elementary Friendly
AND WE’RE BACK!! Last year I wrote a microblog (click here for last year’s blog) about this funny, heartwarming, and amazing show that took the world by storm on Apple TV called “Ted Lasso.” Jason Sudeikis plays the main character, Ted, an American football coach who is hired by an English Premier soccer club to …
Exit tickets have proven to be a vital tool to create meaningful PE. They enable student voice and for students to have a greater connection with PE as they are helping to shape the direction the learning will take. What is an exit ticket? Exit tickets are given to students to give their feedback or …
Mayday! Mayday! My Lesson is Crashing! Whether you are a first year teacher, or an experienced educator, at one point or more than one point a lesson may not go quite as you planned. You may have the most thought out, engaging lesson that you believe will rock the world of your students and when …
Living in a day in which meaningfulness in Physical Education (PE) is becoming an ever-increasing presence in educational discourse, I want to discuss the importance of providing students with the context behind what they are covering within lessons. Put simply, this is the ‘Why are we doing what we are doing, Sir?’. Essentially, I believe …
For the past two school years, my high school health students have spent an entire class period tie-dyeing pillowcases. It’s fun and memorable and it totally connects to our curriculum. During the Sleep Unit, we learn how daily exposure to natural light helps regulate our sleep/wake cycles. Giving my students the opportunity to get outside …
Teaching my students the 10 Dimensions of Wellness opens their eyes to the holistic nature of health. It allows them to appreciate the many ways in which they can take strides towards enhancing their health and well-being and enjoying the health and well-being of others. Of the (many) dimensions that students had yet to consider …
#slowchathealth 