1. Creating a Positive Atmosphere (Ch 2)

2. Teacher Characteristics
What were some of the qualities of your favorite teacher from your K-12 experiences (list 4 in your notes).
Instructor examples from file

3. Positive Characteristics of Teachers
“Withitness”
Anticipate problems
Good planners/teachers
Enthusiastic/enjoyed teaching
Used authoritative style - balances permissive and militaristic styles
Don’t be on the extreme
Why? Easier to start strict and loosen up (make friends along the way)
Are liked by their students but are always the teacher and not a friend.
Care about students

4. Teacher Actions Mistakes-OK-Here-Zone
Learning does involve mistakes.
IT’S normal-an important part of learning.
The “yet” intervention (Stillman, Strategies)
When a students “I can’t,” add “yet” on the end.
Tell them to try the skill 37 times and if it can’t be done, then accept that the student can’t do it yet.

5. Positive Aspects of PE Programs
What, besides the teacher, made physical a positive atmosphere when you were a K-12 student?

6. Learning names Be Persistent
Do attendance
Greet and dismiss by name
Use names when addressing
Name tags (reusable)
Label a photograph (get permission)
Brief note/description in attendance roster
Adjective with name (Blue-eyed Brian)
Check names during assessments/assignments
Past yearbooks
Squads/assigned location grid
Games with names (i.e. tag & tell teacher your name)
Practice visualization student faces later

7. Selection of Activities
Use non-elimination games
Avoid high pressure, low activity games
Relays
Use cooperative activities (balance cooperation vs competition)
Forming groups/partners
NEVER use captain to pick teams in front of the others

8. Positive strategies Catch being good (K-4/5)
Publicize photos (get permission)
Tell a story
Have a student repeat what they did in front of the class
Stress the affective (initiation, focus, closure)
Character education
Honesty, compassion, responsibility, tolerance, cooperation, sportsmanship
Post records (fitness, coop)
FUN
Play music
Mottos (100% effort)

9. More on “Catch Being Good”
Secret Student - Draw a name from a pile of paper scraps containing all the student's names.  Keep this name a secret.  The students know (from you having told them) that this selected person will be watched to determine if they have behaved well and are deserving of the reward. 
The Sticker Chart - Make a large chart table consisting of anywhere from 20 to 100 boxes/spaces.
From: behavior advisor

10. More on “Catch Being Good”
The Raffle Ticket System - Award cut-up pieces of paper to kids who are on task, answer questions, etc.  Don't be stingy.  There will only be one drawing at the end of the period or day...thus only one prize given away
Name on the Board – Kids who behaved properly that day.

11. More on “Catch Being Good”
Bell system -  Use a kitchen timer.  Tell the students that you will be evaluating their behavior at the very moment that the bell sounds.  Set the timer for any time between one minute and twenty minutes (shorter times for classes that misbehave more often).  Do not let the students see the timer. 

12. Positive Gymnasium
Non-naked gym – how could you make a gymnasium more educational and inviting?
Posters
Pictures of students/activities
Wall/floor art
Wall Postings (Text)
Play music

13. Building Rapport Get to know your students as soon as possible
Smile when appropriate and have a good sense of humor
Demonstrate concern for students
Have fun; show your personality (within reason)
Relate to students in and out of classroom (say hi in the hallway)
Get to know their world (ask questions about their weekend etc)

14. Building Rapport
Build your "rep" by communicating and showing concern for the welfare of your students.
When they ask: "Why did you call my parents?"   or "Why did you give me detention?"
Answer with "Because I care about you.“ or "Because I know you're capable of so much more."
Use your expressive and receptive humor.  See the humor in situations and create joy for your youngsters.
ALWAYS remember though, you are the teacher, not their friend

15. Setting Up for Success
Help them respond correctly in class.  Give hints and cues so that they are successful in front of others.
Leading questions
Recognize effort, not correctness.  If a kid is giving us his/her best, we should be happy.
Point out the progress made over time.  Kids need to see that they have learned.

16. Challenges to a Positive Environment
Car question

17. Equity
Question
Reflect on your own teaching. Do you tend to favor any groups of children?
What are some possible groupings?

18. Equity Possible answers:
skill level, physical attractiveness, gender, behavior, SES, race?

19. Positive Atmosphere Checklist
Worksheet

20. Examining Some of Your Beliefs and Values
Checklist 2.1 (p. 32)
Goals of PE
Role of a PE Teacher
Student Learning
Grading & Assessment
Behavior Management

21. Am I Tuned In? Am I Enthusiastic? Anticipate Adapt Modify
How does your teaching style influence other’s enthusiasm levels?
The power of Attitude…

22. Am I Flexible? Am I personable? Adapt and Adopt Adjustments…
How well do you know your students?
Names?
Positive comments!