The Power of Sports

Last Friday, I had a chance to jump into a basketball game and referee an intramural basketball game of fourth grade girls while Mr. M. did his thing with the boys game on the other half of the gym. FUN!

As I watched the girls play, I couldn't help but think of how important exercise and team based sports are. Huge!

Then this weekend, I coached my son's AAU basketball team. We've won 2 games out of 14. Anyhow, the team makes this miraculous comeback, (I mean miraculous), and they win, beating an undefeated team. It was crazy what happened.

As I reflect back on it now, I am reminded of how important sports can be for kids and it's necessary place in education.

THE WASL BEGINS

Oh, those little four letters and how they sometimes strike panic, debate, anger, and a whole host of other emotions into parents and educational staff. Very few times however do we hear cheering the WASL and it's by-product, the GLE (grade level expectations). I find it somewhat ironic that we begin with the WASL and work our way to the GLEs.

I began teaching in 1994, when the educational establishment in Olympia was just forming this work . . . so I've seen it evolve into what it is, including the NCLB requirements.

Get ready for this folks . . . I like it.

Whoa.

Yes. Seriously.

Let me explain why quickly: a) we now have common expectations of what students need to be learning and what those expectations are. If we should use the expecations in our day to day teaching, we shouldn't fear the WASL. b) the WASL holds us accountable. When I started teaching, there wasn't accountability. People don't like a microscope because it points out flaws, but we need analysis of our current practices and systems if we ever want to improve. Private business has this down to a science, but education is much too far behind when it comes to looking at why some schools fail and others don't.

Here's to a good couple of weeks :)
-Mr. Bowman

Brain Rules

Dr. John Medina's new book, Brain Rules, has really impressed me as well as brought up some interesting points for all of us in education. One of those focal points is how we incorporate more exercise into an elementary day. With so much pressure on time and the different subjects that have to be taught, one wonders where we can fit it in. Research is showing us it pays off.

Some of the surrounding schools have opted for no recess for their elementary students. My suggestion would be to read Dr. Medina's book.

Before I came to Sunnyside, I was part of a large federal PE grant at my previous district. Our focus at the small middle school was around physical education. I cannot tell you the incalculable benefits we saw in both the physical and mental improvement at the end of two years for students in grades 5,6, and 7. It was absolutely phenomenal to see students achieve the level of physicality with daily, focused PE.

Time to think outside the box . . . yet again!