About this Session: Be on time for our Closing Afternoon PEP Rally (Passionate & Excited People!) that will be led by the Master Motivator himself - Ben Pirillo from Texas!
About Your Presenter: Ben is one of the #PEGeeks' "Social Media Advancers" and is known throughout the United States and around the world for his energetic and upbeat presentations. Or as Joey Feith posted about Ben in his blog:
What is Your Name? Benjamin Pirillo
Where Are You From? Texas
Where Do You Teach? Hughston Elementary
One Word that Best Describes How You Teach: Engaging
What Apps/Tools/Resources Can’t You Live Without?FitStep Pro pedometers, YouTube, microphone system, music, & projector.
What Do Your #Physed Classes Look Like?I have the opportunity to see all grade levels (kindergarten-5th) four times during the week, with class sizes ranging 40-45 students. Twice a week students attend class for 25 minutes and twice a week the students attend class for 50 minutes. For second through fifth grade students, the first 25 minutes of each class session is dedicated to fitness activities.
These activities are designed to keep the students highly engaged in physical activity with the goal of helping them to increase cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and muscular strength and endurance. The second 25 minutes of each class is used for skill building activities such as throwing, catching, kicking, chasing, etc. I include a variety of engaging games in my lesson plans as a way to maximize participation while developing and improving student skills.
When working with kindergarten and first grade students, I structure my physical education sessions differently. During the first 15 minutes of each class session the students are developing locomotor skills, flexibility, and rhythmic movement. Students enter the gym we progress through a series of locomotor skills changing the skill every 30 seconds. After that the students perform dances that are led by the teachers. Lastly, the students participate in a series of dynamic stretches. After completion of these activities, I gather the students together to discuss a health topic from the coordinated school health curriculum. Once our discussion is complete, the students engage in skill building activities for the rest of class.
What’s the Most Unique Thing About Your Teaching?The most unique thing about me is my ability to create various fun and engaging activities that help the students develop various skills while maximizing their participation and increasing their MVPA.
What’s the Best Teaching Advice You’ve Ever Received?It’s okay to make mistakes, that is how we learn.
Where can people find you online?Twitter:
@CoachPirilloWebsite: http://www.teachphysed.weebly.comYouTube: http://www.youtube.com/gepetto652
