Chapter 31 Skill Themes in Games

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games Our challenge as teachers is to help children enjoy playing games that “fit” them Games in elementary setting differ from standardized sports Purpose of games in an elementary program: Help children “become competent and knowledgeable game players” Become motivated to participate on their own

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games (cont) Our responsibility to teach developmentally appropriate games Games content: Derived primarily from manipulative skill themes and chasing, fleeing, and dodging Requires also strategic decision making and responsible personal and social skills

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games (cont) Important to teach ALL areas of content not just skills Acquiring prerequisite skills enables children to play sports as leisure-time alternative throughout their lives Game experiences are organized into three types of experiences which are progressive and related to students’ GLSP. All the three aspects are developmental and need to be taught

Three Types of Game Experiences Invariant Game Skill Experiences Practice isolated skills in closed or unchanging situations (precontrol/control levels) Dynamic Game-Like Skill Experiences Use of skills in a changing environment, combining skills, and developing tactics and strategies (control/utilization levels) Games-Playing Experiences Focus on gaining knowledge and enthusiasm for playing the game while using the skills and strategies already learned (utilization/proficiency levels)

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games (cont) Practicing skills in dynamic situations enable children to learn simple, lead-up strategies Upper utilization/proficiency level games provide children opportunity to experience enjoyment and satisfaction through successful participation and using various motor skills in more complex environments Participation in dynamic and games playing experiences still necessitates a return to practice on invariant game skills for practice of basic skills and combinations

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games (cont) Successful games teaching depends on planning developmentally appropriate experiences as for other content areas Variables affecting process of games teaching: Type of game to be played Equipment Name of game Whether to officiate or not Learning environment where game is played

Types of Game Design 1. Pre-designed 2. Modified pre-designed 3. Teacher-designed 4. Teacher/child-designed 5. Child-designed

Chapter 31 Key Points Teaching Games (cont) It is the teacher’s responsibility: To provide appropriate game experiences for children Provide opportunities leading to success in dynamic, unpredictable, strategic game situations To ensure that games-playing provides personal enjoyment and satisfaction