Yesterday I was called in to sub for a PE class. Of course my first thought was, Yippee! I get to wear sweats, sneakers, hair in a pony tail and minimal makeup! But then I realized that since this was a late night call that maybe the teacher was calling in sick and I wouldn't have any plans as to what I was to do with these students. I quickly researched on-line PE activities and printed out a bunch of ideas, which I placed in my sub bag. I also brought a whistle (amazing the power you feel just by wearing a whistle). However, when I got to the school, the teacher had left me some great plans on what to do with each grade and.... he told me what his quiet signal was to get students to stop!
I quickly set up the gym for the first class, a group of fifth graders. When they walked in I prepared myself for the whispers of, "yippee! It's a sub" but was surprised at how many groans there were instead. As the day went on I realized how much love a PE teacher receives from their students. Of course they do, because a PE teacher, at least in the elementary years, is all about fun and games! Anyway, all went well with the first class, we had fun, they stopped and listened when I gave out the quiet signal, we talked in the end about how much more fun a game is when everyone follows the rules, etc...
But, it was the afternoon classes that brought a little more excitement to my day. By the time the second graders came in, I was exhausted! I had been working out with each class up to this point, running, doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, playing the games, etc and I was realizing that my 44 year old body needed a rest too! But, now all my little ones were arriving for afternoon classes and they are the ones you need to work out with because they need more instruction. So, I bucked up and moved, although a bit slower.
The afternoon classes also brought some trips to the nurse. In the second grade class, it was right after lunch so one boy promptly threw up after jogging his first lap (it was obviously mac-n-cheese day), so the janitor was called in, the boy sent to the nurse, and we resumed play. The next class were first graders and one girl had a terrible headache. I sent her to the nurse and she quickly returned with a note from the nurse that said the girl thought her head was hurting because I had the music on too loud. I forgot that these kids aren't as deaf as I am, so I turned down the music. The last class was kindys and two little boys rammed right into each other during our exciting game of "Fire in the Forest" Both were in tears and one had a bloody nose. There is nothing more exciting to kindys than seeing lots of blood coming out of someones nose!
By the end of the day, I couldn't move! So, my advice is if you ever sub for a PE teacher don't feel you have to play with them the entire time! Working out from 9-3 is hard work and it's OK to instruct from the sidelines once you get them started. I think it's important for them to see you setting the example, but you don't need to do it the entire period. Oh, and I never did have to use that whistle! Mostly because I had the music going and when I stopped the music, they knew to look at me and freeze. Using music is much better than blowing a whistle or trying to yell over the commotion in a gym.
I quickly set up the gym for the first class, a group of fifth graders. When they walked in I prepared myself for the whispers of, "yippee! It's a sub" but was surprised at how many groans there were instead. As the day went on I realized how much love a PE teacher receives from their students. Of course they do, because a PE teacher, at least in the elementary years, is all about fun and games! Anyway, all went well with the first class, we had fun, they stopped and listened when I gave out the quiet signal, we talked in the end about how much more fun a game is when everyone follows the rules, etc...
But, it was the afternoon classes that brought a little more excitement to my day. By the time the second graders came in, I was exhausted! I had been working out with each class up to this point, running, doing jumping jacks, sit-ups, playing the games, etc and I was realizing that my 44 year old body needed a rest too! But, now all my little ones were arriving for afternoon classes and they are the ones you need to work out with because they need more instruction. So, I bucked up and moved, although a bit slower.
The afternoon classes also brought some trips to the nurse. In the second grade class, it was right after lunch so one boy promptly threw up after jogging his first lap (it was obviously mac-n-cheese day), so the janitor was called in, the boy sent to the nurse, and we resumed play. The next class were first graders and one girl had a terrible headache. I sent her to the nurse and she quickly returned with a note from the nurse that said the girl thought her head was hurting because I had the music on too loud. I forgot that these kids aren't as deaf as I am, so I turned down the music. The last class was kindys and two little boys rammed right into each other during our exciting game of "Fire in the Forest" Both were in tears and one had a bloody nose. There is nothing more exciting to kindys than seeing lots of blood coming out of someones nose!
By the end of the day, I couldn't move! So, my advice is if you ever sub for a PE teacher don't feel you have to play with them the entire time! Working out from 9-3 is hard work and it's OK to instruct from the sidelines once you get them started. I think it's important for them to see you setting the example, but you don't need to do it the entire period. Oh, and I never did have to use that whistle! Mostly because I had the music going and when I stopped the music, they knew to look at me and freeze. Using music is much better than blowing a whistle or trying to yell over the commotion in a gym.
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