Using the Fitnessgram To Analyze Performance

This week we have been using the Fitnessgram data to analyze the students' performance. From counting the repetitions the kids perform when doing push ups and curl ups to measuring the 20 yard distance on the field. The students have been measuring their sit and reach and their trunk lift distance. The kids are also measuring their height and weight. Tomorrow they will run their mile. In all the measurements the kids have been asked to estimate how many reps they will perform or their time. We have also discussed what the standards mean and how they compare to the standards.

Understanding Measurement Of Distance

This week we are working on measuring distance in PE. As we are running our sprints and agility exercises we are showing the students how far they are running. We set up cones to show the measurement in ten foot increments. We also showed how we use a tape measure or a meter wheel to measure long distances. We showed the students that our field is a 75 feet by 60 feet rectangle. The students are given instructions to run 60 feet, 30 feet, etc. The students also drew a diagram of the field in their journal. This will lead us into lessons on perimeter and area square footage.

Converting Minutes to Seconds

Since the beginning of the year we have been learning how to tell time and what role does time play in physical education. We have used the clock to tell us what time we begin and end pe class and analyze our schedule in pe class. Now we are learning about how to record smaller units of time like minutes, seconds and hundredths of a second. One of the things we are doing this week is converting minutes to seconds. We have been using the stopwatch to time sprints and laps. We will be using this conversion in the coming weeks to determine such things as the average time run for members in a relay race, adding race times to get a total time, determining the difference between the fastest and slowest times and using time for the Fitnessgram. The by products of this learning is that students begin to develop a sense of time, they learn the difference between minutes, seconds and 1/100 of a second and they learn to work a stopwatch.

Learning About Time And Distance

We have been learning about time and distance this week. We have been using the stop watch to time sprints, relay races and laps.
For the sprints we grouped the students in 7 even lines. Each group has a timekeeper. The timekeeper works the stopwatch and tells the other students what their time is. The students were instructed to run 3 races. They wrote their fastest time down in their journal. They also had to write down how far they ran. We also gave the older students a bonus question. How far did you run total? Example of journal entry-
Today I ran 75 feet in 6 seconds.
bonus  75 feet
           75
         +75
         225 feet

For the relay races again we grouped the students in 7 lines. Each group had a timekeeper and a recorder. The recorder went first and the timekeeper went last. At the end of the race the timekeeper communicated with the recorder the time of the relay race. The students ran 3 races. Then the students had to return to their journals where the recorder shared the information with the rest of the group. The students had to circle the team's fastest time. We talked about how far each person ran- 60 feet there and 60 feet back. We talked about how we measure the distance and what tool we would use- a tape measure compared with a ruler.. The older students were given a bonus question. What was the total time of the three races? Example of journal entry- race 1-1:20
                     race 2- 1:15-fastest
                     race 3- 1:17
bonus         total time 3:52 min.

For the laps we grouped our students in their ability groups. One of the students was chosen to be the timekeeper for each group. Depending on their ability level the students ran between 3-6 laps along with doing between 10-40 push ups and 25-50 sit ups in a circuit format. The students were given their stop time and their total time from the stopwatch. They were then asked  to determine what their start time was. For the younger students we only recorded their time and talked about the difference between seconds and minutes and how long of a distance could be covered in each. We also talked to the students about how long we have for PE so that they can begin to develop a sense of time.
Example of journal entry- Date 10-5-12, Temp 76 F
Pu 40  Su 50 Laps 6    end time 10:50 am
                                   total time 12:00
                                   start time 10:38 am