Final Implementation Plan Presentations

I have been reviewing my notes and the PowerPoints on the Final Implementation Plans and I am truly inspired at the variety of information and ideas that were shared.

Starr's presentation about Autism and Asperger's was especially powerful because she spoke about her son who was diagnosed with autism at 4 . I have heard about diet and autism and it was good to hear a first person perspective. I appreciated the information she provided on the difficulty students with autism have dealing with sensory information and that the classroom is often too visually stimulating). When we see children with autism acting out, they could be looking for stimulation by movement, touch & oro-motor Hypersensitivy (so und, tactile, visual, hearing and oral and they are in fact trying to self-regulate their behavior. I will keep in mind the cassroom stratregies she talked abou tincluding: bouncy balls, rubber bands around desk/chai, mini trampolines, clocks, sensory lights. music and peer tutoring.

Jasmin spoke about Inuit Games Day in hercommunity. They are a celebration of Inuit Physical Education and Culture. It was great to see how her school did a version of this in a full day program. by adapting the real games for a safer version in school . It was great that the students were sorted into teams that varied with age and ability. Learning (and trying) these different activities showed me the importance of including culturally significant activities in the classroom.

Jeanette's presentation about gross motor and fine motor development in the classroom was interesting. I am not an elementary teacher and I didn't understand the struggles young students have with motor skills She looked at research that found that children with poor motor skills also have poorer reading and math skills and talked about the complex relationship that exists between cognitivie and motor skills development in infants. They must first have gross motor skills Writing requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Controlling eye movement (is also part of fine motor)

Jeanette came up with activities to improve gross motor skills in the classroom including: taking action breaks; action songs:; appealing to all ages; using large exaggerating movements to work big muscles in the body and stretches at the desk.

She then showed us a number of activities to improve fine motor in the classroom such as: creative interactive stations for fine motor skill: developing grab/grasp (using a bingo dabber, putting blocks in spaces); d eveloping pincer grasp activities (use popsicle sticks to pick up objects, using tongs/playdough, taking golf tees and put in foam blocks, use eye dropper to fill up water in lego brick. Pick up items with large twieezers or clothespins); pointing and tracing ( tracing shapes, feeling different textures.)

I love how she is going to incoporate these activities in the classroom for the first 3 weeks in before going to a pencil. Good luck-I would love to know what happens!!!

I loved Tena and Sonya's presentations about Movement Breaks. I'm sold on them. I liked how Tena talked about why students act out in class. They are either: 1.bored 2. unable to do the work or 3. seeking attention. Energy breaks reenergize students and allows them to refocus. They can then have a better undersanding of concept and will be able to hold their attention longer and allow for more engaged learning. Tena and Sonya gave us us lots of examples of how to implement movement breaks in the clasroom. I can see how I could even do this with my high school students.

It was great to see Joy's proposal for a Snoezelen room in her school. I love the fact that she is going to do this even though she is leaving the school. The room is much needed in the community and I hope she is able to do it. Good luck Joy!

Natalie's presentation about Natural Playgrounds was very interesting. I had never heard about them before. I think they are an excellent idea and could be helpful in the urban settings where I teach. It is sad that there is so much red-tape that needs to be dealt with to get such a playground. I'm sure your students will love it!!!

I loved Maggie's talk about No Excuse Physical Activity. Maggie, you are truly an inspriing and organized teacher. The schools you teach at will be lucky to have you. While you may not be teaching PE there, your love of physical activity and common-sense approach to pe will be inspirational to all teachers and students in your classroom.

I have the same feelings about Dave's talk. Dave, you have inspired me to get out and explore the outdoors!!!!! I am looking at places to hike (and I've never hiked before). You bring excitiment and inspiration to your students!!! Thank you.

Kate's physical french presentation was great. She truly showed how you can encorporate PE in any class. Like Magge, there really is no excuse for physical activity. I was truly inspired by this presentaiton and I don't know how, but I am going to try and use some of her ideas in my teaching. I'll keep you posted.