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What's up PE Nation!
I'm back with a series of interviews, starting with my friend Octavio Fierros, a seasoned expert who has recently navigated the transition from a charter school to the bustling environment of the Los Angeles Unified School District. With over 15 years of experience, Coach Fierros shares his insights into the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these different teaching landscapes, especially regarding resources and administrative support. Discover how innovative approaches during the pandemic have reshaped his teaching strategies, enabling him to create more engaging and effective learning experiences for his students.

Explore the vibrant world of physical education as Coach Fierros introduces exciting activities like Nitro Ball and Ultimate Frisbee, which have quickly become student favorites. These games not only enhance physical skills but also promote teamwork and student autonomy, as learners take charge of setting up equipment and managing games. The episode delves into the strategies for building a robust class culture, emphasizing the importance of clear expectations and routines from the start of the school year. Gain valuable insights into how these practices can foster a positive and inclusive environment in PE classes.

For those new to the field of physical education, Coach Fierros offers a wealth of advice on classroom management, relationship-building, and creating a supportive atmosphere that encourages student growth. He reflects on a career dedicated to forming lasting connections with students, highlighting the profound impact these relationships have on their educational journey. Listen in for practical tips and inspiration to elevate your teaching practice, whether you're a seasoned educator or just embarking on your career. Connect with the broader fitness community by joining us on Substack for additional resources and insights.

Take care,
Dave

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What's up PE Nation!
Let's unlock the secrets to revolutionizing your physical education curriculum with the creative game of Ultimate Fish Ball. Imagine a sport that combines the best elements of Ultimate Frisbee and Ultimate Football, with the added twist of an inflatable fish and dynamic rules. By tuning in, you'll learn how to transform your class into a hub of agility, teamwork, and communication, with strategies that encourage students to take three steps towards skill mastery. Discover how integrating this game can serve as a bridge to more complex sports like tchoukball, and why it's a perfect fit for small teams on a third or half basketball court.

Prepare to redefine traditional PE lessons as we explore the fast-paced world of Ultimate Fish Ball, where the action shifts seamlessly between offense and defense, keeping players on their toes. The game fosters inclusivity with mandatory passes to female players and features creative variations like playing with a rubber chicken or inflatable fish to keep things fresh. Together, we'll enhance your teaching toolkit with foundational games like Keep Away and Defend the Pin, building a curriculum that progressively develops student skills. Don't miss the chance to follow my journey on Medium and Substack, where each post aims to push the boundaries of physical education and inspire a new generation of active learners.

Take care,
Dave

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Hello PE Nation!
Let's unlock the secrets to structuring a 40-minute physical education class with my latest podcast episode! Discover how I've crafted an engaging and efficient class routine that has transformed the way students learn and interact. From organized entry routines and rewarding good behavior, to innovative warm-ups featuring music mixes, I share the elements that keep my classes dynamic and exciting. With smaller class sizes, managing behaviors and providing personalized attention becomes easier, and I'll walk you through my method of dividing students into activity stations. With coaches and paras at the helm, kids jump into activities, ensuring they are actively participating by the tenth minute.
Join me as we push the PE profession into new territories, offering insights that can transform your classes into vibrant, engaging experiences for all students.

Take Care,
Dave

Follow me on Medium, where I post my new blog with short, helpful articles for the PE world.

Join my Substack newsletter, where I will be sharing PE tips, games and strategies.

FREE Large Group E-Book: https://supersizedphysed.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=289486a5abf1f1b55de651a5e&id=4c476cb01

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What's up PE Nation!
Get ready to unlock the transformative potential of blindfold games in physical education with our latest episode! Imagine a classroom buzzing with energy, where trust and teamwork become second nature among your students. Join me as I recount my journey of organizing these innovative activities, sharing firsthand how such games not only enhance communication skills but also foster critical thinking. Learn the essential practices for maintaining hygiene and safety when using blindfolds, making these games a hygienic, safe, and thrilling component of your PE curriculum. Discover strategies and practical insights that will revolutionize the way you approach group activities in your classes.

Dive into a treasure trove of exciting games like "Minefield," "Treasure Hunt," and "William Tell," each uniquely designed to challenge participants and encourage cooperative learning. Whether it's navigating obstacles with creative code words or guiding a teammate through indirect communication, these activities promise to elevate your students' problem-solving abilities and strengthen their team dynamics throughout the year.

Take care,
Dave

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My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

Website for the book: https://www.teacherchefhockeyplayerbook.com/

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What's up PE Nation!
Discover the secret to transforming your physical education classes with the power of music! I share my personal journey of revolutionizing the traditional, uninspiring PE warm-ups by infusing them with dynamic music montages. Inspired by a live performance at Disney Springs, I learned how short, energetic clips of iconic songs can motivate students, creating an engaging and fun environment. Tune in to learn how a simple soundtrack can break the monotony and breathe new life into your classes, leaving students eager for each session.

I’ll guide you through the process of crafting your own music montages with tools like GarageBand, ensuring your playlists are both age-appropriate and exciting. From mixing beloved tracks like YMCA to skillfully editing out inappropriate lyrics, I provide tips that will help you curate a perfect playlist that resonates with your students. Get ready to say goodbye to dull static stretching and welcome a vibrant, captivating warm-up routine with our Fun Friday mixes and other creative ideas. Let’s harness the energy of music to bring excitement back into physical education!

Take Care,

Dave

How I make music montages: https://youtu.be/Rhrq8AQvskE?si=8RVB79dRvX5ccbNy

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My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

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What's up PE Nation,
I used to struggle getting students' attention. On this episode I share a collection of my favorite signals that keep the gym buzzing with energy and focus. From the age-old whistle to innovative clapping patterns, discover how these methods can transform your teaching approach.
Hear about the importance of practicing these signals from day one and how they vary based on the age group. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a newcomer to the world of physical education, my journey to streamline and perfect student signals will provide valuable takeaways. Join me to enhance your PE classes with effective communication strategies that work.
Take care,
Dave

Join my newsletter with new PE tactics and tips, my favorite books, documentaries and podcasts to check out and much more!

FREE Large Group E-Book: https://supersizedphysed.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=289486a5abf1f1b55de651a5e&id=4c476cb01

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

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What's up PE Nation!
Get ready to unlock the secrets of the Jigsaw Classroom method and revolutionize your teaching approach! On this episode I uncover how this cooperative learning strategy can transform your classroom into a hub of engagement and interaction. Inspired by Kagan Learning and enriched by my experience with Dr. Ash Casey at the 2015 PE Institute, we discuss turning collaborative learning into a dynamic tag game even when the clock is against you. Discover my practical setup involving color-coded cards and stickers, and explore my ideas for refining this innovative approach to make every student an essential piece of the educational puzzle.

But that's not all—get ready to infuse creativity into your group activities. Whether it's having students reconstruct sentences with code words or organizing themselves by height or birth month, these exercises are designed to boost communication and teamwork. Add a splash of themed fun with target games and see the magic of cooperation and critical thinking unfold. This episode is your insider's guide to elevating the PE experience and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. Be sure to check out my YouTube video of how I ran this unit for grades 2-5.
Take care,
Dave

Jigsaw video

Around the Horn Health and Physed with Dr. Ash Casey podcast

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Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

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What's up Friends of PE Nation!
What if your classroom could be transformed into a thriving community of teamwork and mutual respect from day one? Join me on this episode where we uncover a treasure trove of team-building activities that promise to bring your students closer together. From the ice-breaking fun of group juggling where students not only learn each other's names but also share personal favorites, to the strategic excitement of "The Floor is Lava" and its superhero twist, "Avengers," there's something for everyone. Get ready to boost camaraderie and cultivate leadership skills through engaging exercises like the "Four Corner Questions" game that encourages personal sharing, helping students build deeper connections. Tune in and get inspired for your students!

Take care,

Dave

Group Juggle FREE PDF

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My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

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Greetings PE Nation,
Can gamifying your physical education classes truly revolutionize student engagement and skill development? On this episode join me as I share my captivating journey with chess and the intricate dance video game developers perform to keep players hooked. From martial arts to fitness apps like Couch to 5K, discover how gamification isn't just for video games—it's a potent motivator in real-life scenarios as well. I also recount a touching story of my son's golf adventures, illustrating how his coach's smart use of gamified techniques keeps him motivated and constantly improving.

As we navigate through this episode, I outline my own successful strategies for implementing leveling systems in PE, spanning sports from soccer to jump rope. Learn how structured, level-based challenges can transform your PE classes by promoting skill mastery while keeping students excited and engaged. Tune in for insights, tools, and inspiration to make physical education an exhilarating experience for all!

Take care,
Dave

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FREE Large Group E-Book: https://supersizedphysed.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=289486a5abf1f1b55de651a5e&id=4c476cb01

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Quick link for the books: HERE

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Greetings PE Nation,
Ever wondered how the 80s shaped my obsession with music trivia and my admiration for Bono and U2? Join me as I recount a recent 80s music trivia challenge on a cruise, where my near-perfect score was just the tip of the iceberg. Get ready for a trip down memory lane, where I relive my teenage years emulating Bono's style, complete with tales of his alter ego, "The Fly." You'll also get a fascinating look at how Beyonce channeled her inner Sasha Fierce to showcase a more confident, bolder side of herself. Together, we'll explore the magic of alter egos and how they enable artists to express different facets of their personalities. Anyone know what Justin Jefferson's alter-ego is?

Looking to stay ahead in the world of Physical Education? You'll love our new segment, "Five Boomer Friday," launching every other Friday. This chapter is packed with practical PE tips, strategies, book recommendations, and documentary suggestions that have caught my eye over the past couple of weeks. Make sure to sign up for our mailing list to stay in the loop. A huge shoutout to PE Nation for their unwavering support—let's keep advancing our profession together!

Take care,
Dave

Join my newsletter with new PE tactics and tips, my favorite books, documentaries and podcasts to check out and much more!

FREE Large Group E-Book: https://supersizedphysed.us18.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=289486a5abf1f1b55de651a5e&id=4c476cb01

My website: https://www.supersizedphysed.com

Amazon Kindle Ebook "High Fives and Empowering Lives: A Physical Educator's Quest for Excellence!"

Support the show

Become a supporter of the show: https://www.buzzsprout.com/385837/support