5B Healthy Habit Challenge

I recently completed my first round of CBL in one of my Physical education classes. This was the first round of 5 and overall I felt like it was successful. The concept of challenge based learning worked very well with my schedule. I have always felt the need to teach more real world health concepts in my PE classes due to sedentary life styles of children today, and the obesity epidemic our country is facing, but with 30 minute classes and only meeting 2 or 3 days a week it is very difficult. The structure of CBL, with students directing their own learning and me acting as a facilitator allowed students to pick a health or fitness topic of their choice and use the CBL format to guide their learning. Students seemed engaged and excited about the topics they chose to implement for themselves and their families. The challenges I am implementing are schedule to last 4 weeks each and it is my hope that students and their families will continue to implement their changes even after the challenge is over. The utopia of CBL is to bring about real lasting change. See more about this CBL Project at: http://ops.esu8.org/~kevinmorrow/Healthy_Habits_Challenge/Healthy_Habits_Challenge.html

Student Blog Post about 5B Healthy Habit Challenge

Question: Tell me something you have learned the last four weeks about the healthy habit you and your family are trying to change. Write at least 2 0r 3 good sentences!

Shayne said...I have learned that you don't need pop every day.I have also learned that you should eat fruit instead of candy bars. I would like to carry this habit for the rest of this year.

Blair said...I have learned that it is not that hard to eat a healthy meal at home. I dont need to have fast food once or twice a week. Over the last 4 weeks we have only eaten out once or twice. Instead we have eaten healthy food.

Jared said....I have learned that you don't need video games every day. I have also learned that instead of video games you should get active with friends or family. I hope my family and I can keep this up for a long time.

Haley said...Mr.Morrow I haved learned that if you don't eat out a lot you will get skinner because of the grease in the food. I have also learned that if you eat more fruits and vegetables it keeps you healther. When you excrise it helps your muscles. My project is going great I think this is a great project to choose. Can't wait until next P.E day.

Abbie Flower said....I think that this is a good project to work on.I will do this for the rest of the year.

See more about Challenge Based Learning: http://ops.esu8.org/~kevinmorrow/Healthy_Habits_Challenge/Healthy_Habits_Challenge.html

More PE podcasting

http://uaphed.pbworks.com/Podcasts Check out Helena Baert's undergrad pre-service PE teachers from the University of Arkansas as they created podcasts using examples created by me.

Kevin Morrow's Final Reflection GTACO 2009

Contact Information
Kevin Morrow
O'Neill Elementary School
P.O Box 230
O'Neill NE 68763
School Phone: 402-336-1400
Cell: 402-336-2062
email:krmmorrow@gmail.com
kmorrow@esu8.org
i-chat nivek2353@aim.com
Twitter @kmorrow

Summary Professional Development activities

Since GTACO 2009 I have presented at two statewide events with still one more to come this April. I have also led small group informal training sessions for the teachers in my school. During the school year I have promoted Blogger to all of my students and many of them have posted to my blog over the course of the last two years, and even started blogs of their own. Counting students and adults at all of these events I have reached more than 500 people. The 300 plus students have been exposed to and interacted with Google tools repeatedly over the course of the school year.
I think the impact I have had on fellow teachers and professionals at the professional development sessions I have led has been quite high. On scale from one to ten I would give it an 8 for impact to fellow professionals. Many of the teachers I have presented to would be considered beginners in using technology in education so the information I shared reached many people who have never heard the of power of Google Apps. Most importantly, I have been able to spread the power of Google to Physical Education teachers across the state of Nebraska as I am currently serving on the NAHPERD Board.

Challenges along the way

The two biggest challenges I faced in the process included one, the technology level at which my audiences were at. Many were beginner users of technology and web 2.0 technology. The presentations had to be simple and introductory in nature. I think for many of the people I presented to it will take some time for them to roll over into 21st century learning. However, this was where I felt I could connect with my audience and show them that even beginners can use these tools. The second biggest challenge I faced on my journey was finding time to get teachers together to do informal training with Google Apps. There is so much to offer and teachers and myself are so busy with so many things it's hard finding bits of time to teach the new Google tools and the many uses they can have in schools today.

Impact on my own personal growth

The impact these experiences have had on me have been rewarding. Presenting to and teaching fellow teachers has been a goal of mine for the past 2 years. The opportunity that I was given to attend GTACO 2009 has given me a reason to grow as a professional and do things with technology I would have never done without the push that Google gave me. I hope to continue to be able to grow and enhance my skills as a GCT. To me being a Google Certified Teacher means you are an advocate for opportunities available using Google tools. This is a journey for me that must continue in order for me to feel like I am an expert in using Google apps. I will continue to use and learn as much as I can about Google apps and all they have to offer the world of education.

Momentum For The Future

I will definitely continue to use Google tools with students in my physical education classes. I will continue to present as long as there are opportunities for me to do so. I have an upcoming event planned for April 16, 2010 where I plan to continue to spread the news about the power of Google apps to pre-service P.E. teachers across the state of Nebraska. I would also like to continue to hold small trainings at my own school to enhance the skills of the teachers in my building so students can learn with 21st century technology which is the wave of the future for education.