So today for P.E we didn't do fitness, which we usually do on Tuesdays but this class was still tiring; (hence the hashtag #tiringtuesdays) Today our class and Mr. Vaughns class played capture the flag on the lower field. How ever this wasnt a regular class where the teachers are making sure you're on task, this time around the TA rebecca and I were in charge. My job was basically to make sure that we set up, split teams, and also make sure our class was on task.
When we first got on the feild I made sure the grade 10 boys in our class set up goal post boundaries where we kept our bean bags, and also that we put a line in the middle using the cones!
That part was successful, the only tricky part was the division of teams. The first thing we tried was Dark coloured shirts (black, navy blue, and grey shirts) agasint Light coloured shirts (white, and other light colours). We ran the game and soon found that the game ran almost too quickly and people were becoming on motivated. So Rebbecca and I called everyone in and numbered people off 1 and 2, we also tried grade 9 against grade 8 and 10. With this we saw the problem and chaos of confusion and not knowing whose team was who, and people also moving teams to be with friends thus reaulting in unmotivated people. We didn't have pinnies to use and it was well into class to go get them. Together Rebecca and I told everyone to stay calm, and asked Neuf and Vaughn for some Ideas and with their help, it then hit us not literally, figuratively. Class against class, a good way that u can tell who was on what team, and it would be an equal amount on either side.
Once we went back we called eveyone in and thank goodness we didnt have to yell that often, just whistling and gesturing people in was good enough. We told them class against class and that we want to see people play by the rules and actually work. We played and you can tell the difference right away, both classes were engaged, and into it. Our class won the first 2 times and then the longest game was the 3rd/ last it was also the most competitive. You can tell that both teams were engaged because just when you think you beat the opposing team the team would have already stolen the bean bags and return them, which meant they were motivated.
From this process, I learned how to work on leadership skills, and also that compromise is key. If you dont have something like pinnies use something distinct, also I got a small taste of what teachers and TA's get. I learned that its hard to get a class under control, but once you have em focused they wont stop. I also learned that our class does set the tone, and that it was a way better strategy to use class vs class; It not only allowed me to encourage our class, and the others, make sure people were on task, and also contribute to the game like getting a fee bean bags across. I loved the experience of this class because it was a challenge, and hope to do it sometime again. Oh and s/o to rebecca for being awesome! And also to both classes for being patient and on task!
