APHA+Journal+3


 * Theme # 3 **

All three classes were ninth graders. I was there for day one of the lacrosse unit and I could tell skill wise the students have progressed tremendously. The first day students were just getting used to the sticks, like riding a bike for the first time, many have not played lacrosse before. Now the students are able to run and pass at the same time, deliver accurate passes to teammates, and act as their own referee’s by reiterating the Physical Education rules of the game. Passing in lacrosse is similar to throwing any sort of ball there is a preparatory phase, the wind-up, delivery phase, throwing the ball, and follow through phase, after releasing the ball and rotation to the opposite side of body. Also, relating lacrosse movement to other sports like soccer, hockey and teamwork used in every aspect of life by sharing the ball and passing more than 2 complete passes to different teammates. Teams-games-tournaments were used today during the games portion of the lesson. The quiz was recalling information that was previously learned. The students were given a study guide which was gone over last Wednesday in class, they also took it home and were able to read/study it on their own time. I think for this particular lesson the teaching strategy was a good fit. A summative assessment was used in the form of a lacrosse quiz. The quiz was 15 questions long, all the questions were from the study guide or discussed in class. A skills-based assessment is not as accurate because being the next lacrosse Olympian is not what is being stressed. However, formative assessment is given through participation and effort in the tournament. Classroom management was best effective when Mr. Monson or myself would instruct and the other would interact with students in the back. Not allowing students time to be off task by keeping them engaged the whole time was what worked best. The field is every spread out so constantly scanning all areas of the field, being an authoritative presence is enough to keep student doing the right thing. Safety with the lacrosse sticks is number one priority because someone could seriously get injured or injury someone else if not careful. Any unsafe behaviors students would be taken out of the game and asked what they need to do differently next time then they can rejoin the game if ready. No student was asked to take a break from the game they were all acting appropriately.