Student Teaching Practicum
I was fortunate enough to spend 16 weeks student teaching in State College Area School District (State College, PA). This experience consisted of an 8-week practicum experience at Park Forest Elementary School, followed by an 8-week placement at State College Area High School. At the elementary level, I developed lessons and taught physical education classes to kindergarten through fifth grade students. Throughout this 8-week period, I established strong relationships with students, colleagues, and families. Through these connections, I was able to better understand the diverse student population and adapt my instruction accordingly.
In addition, my experience at State College Area High School exposed me to many new experiences. During this placement, I had the opportunity to teach both health and physical education classes to 9th grade students. I valued the transition to a new setting because I was encouraged to adjust my instructional strategies and had the opportunity to try a variety of teaching styles. This experience also gave me first-hand experience with faculty meetings, department meetings, and even small group cohort meetings with my colleagues in the 9th grade academy.
Beyond my experiences in the classroom and gymnasium, I also volunteered as a coach for the after-school intramural sports at Park Forest Elementary. This allowed me to connect with students, families, and other community members.
In addition, my experience at State College Area High School exposed me to many new experiences. During this placement, I had the opportunity to teach both health and physical education classes to 9th grade students. I valued the transition to a new setting because I was encouraged to adjust my instructional strategies and had the opportunity to try a variety of teaching styles. This experience also gave me first-hand experience with faculty meetings, department meetings, and even small group cohort meetings with my colleagues in the 9th grade academy.
Beyond my experiences in the classroom and gymnasium, I also volunteered as a coach for the after-school intramural sports at Park Forest Elementary. This allowed me to connect with students, families, and other community members.
9th Grade Volleyball Unit
Below are examples of lesson plans that I taught to my 9th Grade Physical Education
classes at State College Area High School.
Below are examples of lesson plans that I taught to my 9th Grade Physical Education
classes at State College Area High School.
|
PowerPoint Presentations (Secondary Health)
Below are examples of PowerPoint presentations that I used for a variety of 9th Grade Health lessons at State College Area High School. The slides for each presentation include a bell ringer, content, activities, and a closure.
Below are examples of PowerPoint presentations that I used for a variety of 9th Grade Health lessons at State College Area High School. The slides for each presentation include a bell ringer, content, activities, and a closure.
Tobacco Lesson | |
File Size: | 727 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Media Influences Lesson | |
File Size: | 1160 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Alcohol and Refusal Skills | |
File Size: | 894 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Physical Education Rules
Below is the physical education rules poster that I used for my elementary classes in State College Area School District. On the first day of class, we went over the Physical Education Pledge and I had the students give me examples for each rule on the poster. This poster was on the wall in the gym, for the students to refer back to.
Below is the physical education rules poster that I used for my elementary classes in State College Area School District. On the first day of class, we went over the Physical Education Pledge and I had the students give me examples for each rule on the poster. This poster was on the wall in the gym, for the students to refer back to.
State College Area High School
Based on my 10-week practicum assignment at State College Area High School. Attached below is a reflection on my teaching and observation experiences at the high school level.
High School Practicum Reflection | |
File Size: | 116 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Mount Nittany Middle School
Mount Nittany Middle School is one of the two middle schools in the State College Area School District. I had an opportunity to teach badminton and ping pong units to the 8th grade students. This experience offered a number of opportunities to reflect on my teaching effectiveness and make appropriate adjustments to my instructional methods.
Badminton Teaching Reflection | |
File Size: | 23 kb |
File Type: | mnms badminton reflection |
Badminton Teaching Reflection 2 | |
File Size: | 111 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Park Forest Elementary School
Park Forest Elementary School is one of eight elementary schools in the State College Area School District. Through my practicum experience at Park Forest, I was fortunate enough to work with 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students in a physical education setting. During a five week period, I had the opportunity to create and teach lessons for hockey, pickleball, and baseball. When teaching students at the elementary level, I was able to develop my demonstration skills and instructional strategies.
In addition to my practicum experiences, I also serve as the physical activity supervisor for the CEEL after-school program at Park Forest Elementary. This position has given me an outstanding amount of experience with children of the elementary age. I thoroughly enjoy working with students at the elementary level and reflect on these experiences daily!
In addition to my practicum experiences, I also serve as the physical activity supervisor for the CEEL after-school program at Park Forest Elementary. This position has given me an outstanding amount of experience with children of the elementary age. I thoroughly enjoy working with students at the elementary level and reflect on these experiences daily!
Adapted Physical Education
A majority of my adapted physical education experience has taken place through the Centre County Special Olympics program in State College, PA. I worked with athletes ranging in age from 10 to 50, who have disabilities such as, Autism, Down Syndrome, ADHD, visual/speech impairments, and cognitive delay. Throughout this experience, I was able to develop strong relationships with many of the athletes and guide each individual toward success. The Special Olympics sessions gave me an opportunity to practice my visual demonstrations and on-the-spot modifications for a variety of activities. I enjoyed the challenges that this environment provided and was highly motivated to help all of the athletes overcome any physical, cognitive, and social barriers they faced!
Special Olympics Reflection | |
File Size: | 120 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Health Education
Mental Health Bulletin Board:
Below is a bulletin board that my peers and I created at Penn State. The goal of this bulletin board is to spread awareness of mental health and the many resources for treating mental health disorders. The display includes pictures, statistics on disorders, strategies for maintaining strong mental health, and a list of possible treatment methods. The strategies for maintaining mental health include exercising, eating healthy, and having a strong support group. This bulletin board is aimed toward 9th and 10th grade students and could be displayed in a hallway or health classroom. Also listed below are the objectives, standards, health content area, content descriptors and sub-descriptors for the bulletin board.
Objectives: 1. Students will be able to identify strategies for maintaining strong mental health and resources for treating mental health disorders.
2. Students will understand the importance of exercising, eating healthy, and communicating with others in order to maintain strong mental health and live a positive lifestyle.
Content Area: Mental Health
Grade: 9th and 10th
NHES Skills: Advocacy and Accessing Information
Content Descriptor & Sub-Descriptor(s):
2. Emotional Health
2.2- Positive ways to handle emotions.
2.3- Ways to manage conflict/anger.
2.6- Strategies to prepare for adulthood.
5. Mental Health Problems
5.1- Behaviors and symptoms of depression and other mental illness.
5.4- Medication and other treatments for mental illness.
6. Resources and Support
6.1- When to get help.
6.2- Why to get help.
6.3- Where and how to get help.
Below is a bulletin board that my peers and I created at Penn State. The goal of this bulletin board is to spread awareness of mental health and the many resources for treating mental health disorders. The display includes pictures, statistics on disorders, strategies for maintaining strong mental health, and a list of possible treatment methods. The strategies for maintaining mental health include exercising, eating healthy, and having a strong support group. This bulletin board is aimed toward 9th and 10th grade students and could be displayed in a hallway or health classroom. Also listed below are the objectives, standards, health content area, content descriptors and sub-descriptors for the bulletin board.
Objectives: 1. Students will be able to identify strategies for maintaining strong mental health and resources for treating mental health disorders.
2. Students will understand the importance of exercising, eating healthy, and communicating with others in order to maintain strong mental health and live a positive lifestyle.
Content Area: Mental Health
Grade: 9th and 10th
NHES Skills: Advocacy and Accessing Information
Content Descriptor & Sub-Descriptor(s):
2. Emotional Health
2.2- Positive ways to handle emotions.
2.3- Ways to manage conflict/anger.
2.6- Strategies to prepare for adulthood.
5. Mental Health Problems
5.1- Behaviors and symptoms of depression and other mental illness.
5.4- Medication and other treatments for mental illness.
6. Resources and Support
6.1- When to get help.
6.2- Why to get help.
6.3- Where and how to get help.
Digestive System PowerPoint
Below is the PowerPoint presentation used for the "Traveling the Digestive System" lesson for middle school health. This presentation includes a video, descriptive slides, and images of the digestive system. The Power point also includes trivia questions that will keep all students engaged throughout the lesson! Also listed below are the objectives, standards, health content area, content descriptors, and sub-descriptors for this lesson.
Cognitive Objective: Students will be able to identify the different parts of the digestive system and the function for each by the end of the lesson.
Grade: 7th
Standard:
10.1.3. B - Identify and know the location and function of the major body organs and systems (Digestive System)
Content Area of Health: Body Systems/Digestive System
Content Descriptor & Sub-Descriptor(s):
4. Balancing Food intake and Physical Activity
4.1 How to assess food intake to determine energy intake 4.2 How energy is expended during exercise/activity
Below is the PowerPoint presentation used for the "Traveling the Digestive System" lesson for middle school health. This presentation includes a video, descriptive slides, and images of the digestive system. The Power point also includes trivia questions that will keep all students engaged throughout the lesson! Also listed below are the objectives, standards, health content area, content descriptors, and sub-descriptors for this lesson.
Cognitive Objective: Students will be able to identify the different parts of the digestive system and the function for each by the end of the lesson.
Grade: 7th
Standard:
10.1.3. B - Identify and know the location and function of the major body organs and systems (Digestive System)
Content Area of Health: Body Systems/Digestive System
Content Descriptor & Sub-Descriptor(s):
4. Balancing Food intake and Physical Activity
4.1 How to assess food intake to determine energy intake 4.2 How energy is expended during exercise/activity
Digestive System PowerPoint | |
File Size: | 3529 kb |
File Type: | pptx |
Outdoor and Adventure Experience
Rock Climbing at the State College YMCA
Stone Valley High Ropes Course- State College, PA
Stone Valley High Ropes Course- Team Building Activities