Lab 3

I worked with a boy and girl, who are both in 1st grade. The movement patterns I observed for these two where jumping and sliding. I feel that in both of the movement patterns for the girl, she was in an intial phase. For jumping, she didn’t bend her knee or swing her arms for distance. While sliding she wasn’t moving side to side, but more forward and backwards. At some points in time she had both feet off the ground while sliding, but jumping she didn’t land on both feet together. The boy on the other hand showed an elementary level of movement for both of the patterns. While jumping, he stretched his body and bended his knees. He didn’t use his arms that much, but he use them to get a little further. While sliding both of his feet were off the ground and at some points he moved side to side, but for the most part he moved back and fourth. I feel the boy had a better understanding of the proper way to perform these patterns than the girl did. While watching these two during an activity, I observe that the boy is more athlete than the girl and that could be the reason for the differences in moving. The teaching strategies that I use and always use at St. Mary’s is to be interested, honest and enthusiastic in whatever activity I have planned for the children. If you show little to no interest in what you are describing to the children, they won’t be interested and enthusiastic as well. The Key is to grab their attention and hold on to it for as long as possible. I make sure I provide clarity to whatever questions about the activity that the children have. Visuals and demonstration is a great thing to incorporate. Today, while I was explaining the game I tried to be as funny and wacky as I could so the children would have fun with it and want to do it. I think giving the children positive advice and encouraging them to try their best will always result in positive behaviors. I always try to have a good posture because the children can sense if you aren’t genuine when you are describing an activity and I try to use crazy gestures to get the children going and ready to be in a playful mood. I hold that showing interest, being enthusiastic, and demonstration are the best teaching strategies to be used for the children at St. Mary. When all of these qualities are clicking I’ve found that the children have responded in a positive way. would say the key is to match their intensity. By that I mean being loud and very activity as they are. I try to give challenges within the challenges that are being laid out for them. I talk very loud so they could hear me and I try to talk their language. I look at going to St. Mary is my chance to act like a little kid again and enjoy myself. Costumes and props for the theme presented in each week of class is key. I think that alone captures the attention of the children more than anything. I’ve seen if you switch up the activity and get down to their levels while you are talking is an effective strategy to let them know you are not trying to tower over them, but are on the same level as the children. I’ve seen that whistles work and if you countdown while doing an activity the children will work harder to complete a task