The Game Changer “Strong preparation through strong teaching” The Educator’s Room April Pinder, Physical Educator Church Hill Elementary

What do we know about PARCC? According to Maryland Classroom, a Publication from MSDE:  The PARCC assessments will be fully implemented in school year  The PARCC assessments will be more engaging to students, asking them to solve problems, write essays and answer questions that resemble the kind of high quality coursework found in effective classrooms. According to Education Week:  During field testing, teachers were quoted  “We must ensure we prepare our kids to be creative and thoughtful in their answers.”  “Training, training and training helped to alleviate the panic and frustration.”  During field testing, students were quoted  “Wow, that was hard!”  “This is confusing.”  “It’s preparing us for when we have to do things on our own and things won’t be given to us.”

So what does this mean for Physical Educators? PERSEVERE To persist in anything undertaken; maintain a purpose in spite of difficulty, obstacles, or discouragement; continue steadfastly ENDURANCE The power to withstand pain or hardships; the ability or strength to continue despite fatigue, stress, or other adverse conditions.

Rules of the game  Players25-30 critical thinkers, problem solvers with intrinsic motivation  Equipmentdigital devices controlled by well skilled hands  Time  Grade 3- 8 hours  Grade 4-9 hours 20 minutes  Grade 5- 9 hours 20 minutes  Grades 6-89 hours 25 minutes  Grades hours 45 minutes  Grade 119 hours 55 minutes  Playing fieldIn classrooms that include desktops, laptops and tablets that meet PARCC technology specifications and are actively available.

Rules of the game continued…  Purpose To promote effort based ability, the idea that all students need are skills to endure and a teacher who believes they can.

Game Strategy  Take an OFFENSIVE strategy not a defensive strategy  Promote TEAMWORK with students, teachers and parents  CHALLENGE yourself and your students  Set GOALS  Encourage a YES YOU CAN attitude  Create a POSITIVE climate

Practice Plan  Emphasize Effort/Perserverance/Endurance  Individualized or Team based  Daily instruction  Specific Content or Focus  Patience and Time Management  Suggested Drills  Combination Drill  Don’t Touch the Ball  Amazing Rising Pole  The Cube  Partner Up – Everybody  Horizontal Spider Web

“ ” Continuous effort- not strength or intelligence- is the key to unlocking our potential. Winston Churchill