Greg Final 1a-1c

1. Where is the web-site from?  Where in the world?  Which country?  What city and state/province is the story from?
1. The website is from Toronto On, Canada.  One of the schools is located in Southern Saskatoon, Canada. The other school is Naperville central High near Chicago.
2. What do you think about this news piece....interesting...why or why not?
1. I find this news piece very interesting because it shows us as PE teachers that playing sports and having students sit around is not the way to go. Constant physical activity and mental thinking is always something that should be going on in a student’s head. PE should not just be about PE, but should be about every subject and learning environment. PE teachers should be able to have basic knowledge in other fields that they could incorporate in the program and help a student progress in their knowledge.
3. Why don’t we hear anything about the PE teacher being involved with City Park Collegiate experiment? How will ensure that your PE program will be a benefit to the students and faculty of your school?
1. I believe the reason why you do not hear anything about PE teacher being involved in this experiment is because for one these students may have gained more trust and respect for their main teacher more than anyone else.  Also the PE teacher at the school may not believe in this type of teaching and could be one of the so called “old school teachers.”  I will ensure that my PE program will benefit not only students but also the faculty by not having students learn about sports, but instead work on situations, problems that deal with math, science and history along with other fields while also giving these students a physical workout that will hopefully get them to enjoy and be more active at home and in school on a mental and physical level.
4. What are were the main outcomes/benefits of the program? Were you surprised from their findings? Are these outcomes similar to our New York State PE Standards?  Explain your answer by giving details and examples, while comparing and contrasting. 
1. All of the students that were part of this program have benefited a great deal. Every student increased in reading, writing, comprehension.  These students all had problems in school before they were put into this program. Some couldn’t read and write while others had problems paying attention and actually completing their work.  This program not only help students learned and achieve more in this class room then a regular class room would have allowed them to, but they also got physical activity that they did in their class room.  I was really surprised by the findings in this article.  If you showed me these students before doing this interview and told me what they were planning on doing I would have said that it would never have worked.  These outcomes are similar to the NYSPE standards.  These students were in a really safe and healthy environment. If these students did not come to this program they could be out on the streets and not even going to school.  This school has brought them comfort along with knowledge and activity.  Resource management was also brought out in this program because it showed students there was more to their life then the streets. Physical activity could help you in ways that they never would have thought of.  These students also did have some of standard one. They received physical activity in the class room prior to learning; one of the things that they did not talk about was skill based progress.
5. What is BDNF and what does it have to do with PE and learning? How do you get BDNF or other associated goodies? What are the names of two of the “key” books and their authors that currently outline the benefits of exercise and learning/academics? At least one is mentioned in the news piece.
1. BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor) which acts like a fertilizer (miracle growth of the brain). Preserves nerve cells, makes the cells stronger, it also makes new cells and helps them deal with stress.  To get BDNF you need to do something called Sustained aerobic movement. Scientists believe high school students need to get your heart rate up to 60-70% of maximum and keep it there for at least 20 minutes. One of the books named Spark by Dr. John Ratey. The other book is called “The Kinesthetic Classroom” by Traci Lengel and Mike Kuczala.

1c- As discussed throughout this semester, the goal in NYS is to have PE included in the school report card and to have Regents Level objectives.

- Recommended Regent’s Level for LS #1A= What is the %-age of the senior class that is “recreationally competent in 6 activities and “proficient” in 3” in 3 different activity categories (6+3/3) (See B-9 in packet)           

- Recommended Regent’s Level for LS #1B= What is the %-age of the senior class that has reached “competency” in their “Personal Fitness Plan”?

·         New York State has many different categories listed for the NYSLS 1a and 1b that students should be competent in.  They are Team Passing activities, Net/Wall activities, Target activities, Striking/Fielding activities, Aquatic activities, Dance and Aesthetic activities, Outdoor activities, Personal Performance activities, and Fitness activities.  Under each of these are separate sports, games, or skills that a student should be competent in. I believe a great PE teacher should be able to get 100% of the senior class to be able to be recreationally competent in 6 activities and “proficient” in 3 in 3 different activity categories and also to have 100% competency in their Personal Fitness Plan.  But a good PE teacher should get at least 90% of the senior class should be recreationally competent in 6 activities and “proficient” in 3” in 3 different activity categories and also competent in their personal fitness plan