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LEADERSHIP, LEARNING, &  PErsonal Growth

Grade 5 Fitness Unit

2/16/2014

8 Comments

 

Time For Action in Setting Goals For Area(s) of Improvement

I blogged a couple of weeks ago about a new approach that I am taking with my grade 5 fitness unit this year. To sum up, I am giving my students freedom of choice in regards to how they would like to improve upon their current level of fitness. We have looked at 3 key areas of fitness; Cardiovascular Endurance, Muscular Endurance, and Flexibility. The students took part in a number of different fitness tests the first couple of classes of this unit and recorded their results. They will finish off the unit with some fitness testing as well so that they can compare how they have improved. 

There is an undeniable reality that adults own the choices that they make regarding their level of fitness. I discussed this fact with my students and told them that they too own the decisions that they make about how fit that they want to be. Now that my students have gotten through the initial phase of our fitness unit, they are responsible for choosing which area(s) of fitness that they want to improve upon as a next step. I have created fitness journals for them to use in order to help guide them through the rest of the unit. I will be with them every step of the way offering them whatever help and guidance that they need in setting goals and creating an action plan. 

Another Self-Assessment
I had the students do an initial self-assessment at the very start of the unit to get them thinking about how fit that they thought they were. We had not discussed or broken down any areas of fitness at that point. Now that they have a working knowledge of the 3 different areas of fitness and have completed various fitness tests, they will do a more specific self-assessment of how fit they think that they currently are based on their new knowledge of the 3 different areas of fitness. This will be done in tomorrow's class. 

We have discussed the need to record data in regards to how they progress with their training program and their classroom teachers have agreed to use this data back in the math class which is great integration. If there is ever a unit that students must record information, this one is it. I have tried to create the journals in a way that is straightforward and easy for them to use. 

Key Considerations When Designing and Creating This Assessment Journal
For those of you who have seen my work, you know that I am big on creating visuals. What I like to do is embed jpegs of those visuals on in the assessments that I use as it works to spark my students' memories and helps to get them connected with prior learning in a unit. As well, I scan actual assessments used in the past and use these jpegs as well. It has worked so well to get them really tuned into their learning. 

We will have a brainstorming session in tomorrow's class to get them thinking of all the possibilities that exist for improving upon their level of fitness. Hopefully this will get their brains firing with ideas to put into practice. I will blog on this brainstorming session later in the week. In the meantime, I have posted all of the pages from the fitness journal that they will use. Check them out and let me know your thoughts. Thanks for reading!

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8 Comments
Mike Graham link
2/15/2014 10:12:22 pm

Andy, great work putting the responsibility back on the students to make their own fitness choices. This is a great learning tool! Could you send me a copy of these documents? I would love to use with my students.

Reply
Teresa
2/15/2014 11:38:45 pm

Andy, thank you for continually sharing your methods and tools. I use self assessments similar but not as a collective journal. I would love to begin. If at all possible, could you send the document to me. Thank you again.

Reply
mohini
7/14/2015 06:26:52 pm

Andy,
Thanks for sharing your idea with all,I love your planning and ideas,the way you are using creative ideas,fantastic Job.
could you please send the document to me.
Thank you

Reply
Jamie Lothian
10/27/2015 11:49:42 am

Andy,
You have put a lot of thought and planning into your lessons. I love what you have done with the fitness unit. Would you send me a copy of your fitness packet please? I would like to try it with my students.

Thank you,
Jamie Lothian

Reply
Theresa link
7/4/2016 01:32:33 pm

Our school is beginning to use the IB curriculum. Would you please send me a copy of this unit? Thanks

Reply
Bettina
2/21/2017 01:52:52 am

Hej,

I really like your Journal and wondered if you could send me these documents. Would be really great :)

Thank you, Bettina

Reply
kjeryn
10/16/2017 08:02:28 pm

Hi, you have done a great job of putting this together and put responsibility on to the students for their fitness. Would love to have a copy of these documents as well.
Thanks

Reply
Lisa Westelaken
11/22/2019 01:38:02 pm

Hello Andy,
Great materials, fabulous way to have the students take ownership. Could I also have a copy of these materials.
Grazie mille!
Lisa

Reply



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Helping Kids to Achieve Their Best
  • Welcome
  • The Aligned Leader Blog
  • Consulting and Coaching Opportunities
  • My TED X Talk
  • My Leadership Blog
  • Run Your Life Podcast Series
  • How PYP PE with Andy Has Helped Others
  • Good Teaching is L.I.F.E
  • The Sportfolio
  • Example Assessment Tasks
  • PYP Attitude Posters (printable)
  • Publications
  • Blog