Is Dodgeball good for PE?

Image via WikipediaHaving some games ready to play at St.Mary's was a good start to our overall preparedness; however, if we are truly going to change the culture of PE and have more physically educated students, then we must be sure to provide developmentally appropriate physical education (DAPE) and avoid games and activities that are in the PE Hall of Shame. After watching some of us resort to games that we played as kids and ones that are not in the best interest of young children...we will now start to explore WHY these games are not beneficial.  


Anybody without a teaching degree and a B.Sc. in P.E. can "lead" games such as Duck Duck Goose, Kickball, Dodgeball, etc...  You don't have to go to a teacher preparation program to use those games and we will NOT be playing these games while we are at St.Mary's.  We are striving to change the environment of the after-school program by using games that are supportive of the needs and abilities of the students and not just convenient to play because they know how to already play them.  When we're not there, they can play them all they want.  While we're at St.Mary's - we need you to explore and be creative to create enticing environments, choose developmentally appropriate and adaptable games/activities that help you assess fundamental motor skills and teach students to perform these skills more effectively.


PE Hall of Shame (Part 2)  (also available here) was released after the initial induction of 6 games that should not be played in PE class. In class we discussed two of the initial inductees (Dodgeball and Kickball) and why (human targets, isolation, no choice, safety, hiding from others, skill level, etc...) they were included in the initial induction ceremony.

It would help if you added pictures like Jack's post on defending dodgeball (posted below). This assignment is due before next class. (Photo via iStockPhoto & Xanga)

ASSIGNMENT

1. Please read Chapter 3, 18-20.
2. Click on the comment link at the bottom of this post to leave your initial reactions (2-3 sentences) to these games and whether or not you agree with them. Also leave a link to your own blog URL (eg. http://www.rockstarpe.blogspot.com  or Twitter handle @syangman or http://www.twitter.com/syangman) where you further expand on your opinions, connect with other professionals, and start developing your own PLN. 
3. Blog about how the games we play compare to the many HALL OF SHAME games (1994 and 1996) we often experienced in the OLD PE.  What is your general reaction to seeing some of your favorite games included?  If you were to play one of these SHAME games, how would you alter it so that it meets the requirement of being developmentally appropriate for your students?  
1. How would you justify playing these games today so that it fits in with NYS Learning Standards and NASPE Standards for high-quality PE?
2. How will playing this game help your students attain the goals of being physically educated and what will be gained?
4. Be sure to use our photos from lab or one from your Zemanta plug-in or from some other Creative Commons source.  
5. Due by next class.