Field Experience Day 5- February 28th, 2012

7. Assessments of Student Learning:

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This past Tuesday we were able to see a part of our school's physical education program that starts in kindergarten and continues until the upper grade levels. It is called "Run Club. Run club is something that the instructor has chosen to implement to teach the children about pacing while running/jogging. The students are asked to try and continuously jog around the gym for a set number of minutes and while doing this, the main goal is to try and stop (and walk) as little as possible. This is achieved by not running extremely fast in the beginning (PACING: How to Pace). I was able to participate in run club with the kindergarteners. At this age, they do not run for very long (only 6 minutes) but it gives them some experience with trying to pace. There is a talk before hand about how to do it and what should be done if the students get tired. In kindergarten, this modified version of run club (which happens once a month) is used as a beginning teaching tool. As the students get older, they are observed by the teacher and their progress is tracked on a chart in the gym. Those students who were able to run/jog for the whole duration are able to be in the "run club" those who are not yet there will track their progress on the chart and see where they have improved. This chart allows the instructor to see changes in fitness and knowledge of pacing. It can give solid evidence of growth or digression.

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Many of the kindergarten students ran extremely fast and had to walk shortly after, they would continue this cycle the whole time. It shows that they have not yet grasped the concept but I think it is a good thing to explain and teach to them early on in their physical education. Pacing during activities is an extremely important skill that even some adult have trouble with. Addressing this part of physical fitness so early on is very beneficial.