Reflection on Teacher Preparation Observation at Wintergreen Magnet with Mr.

Kaczmare

At Wintergreen Magnet in Hamden, CT, I was able to observe a kindergarten and first grades physical education class taught by Mr. Kaczmare. The class focuses on routines that the students are expected to be able to recall at a later time. Physical education for this age group focuses on fine motor movements, special awareness, as well as many other developmental functions. Before entering the gym, the students were lined up in hallway and when entering were then asked to walk on the outside lines of the gym and then to stand quietly. Students were then arranged according to grade and gender. Mr. Kaczmare then handed out scarves individually to each student and then demonstrated the various activities the students would perform with the scarf. After finishing the activity, students collected the scarves according to color. Students who got out of hand were asked to sit against the wall and not participate in the activity until further into the class. Although I have worked with this age group before, I found the class to be very interesting. I especially found interesting how the class is structured to work on developmental functions, such as fine motor movements. I do not believe that becoming a physical education teacher would an appropriate choice for my career. My observation of the class did, however, encourage my choice in pursuing a career in pediatric physical therapy and being able to help a child come closer to having the same freedom in movement as the children in the class.

Reflection on Teacher Preparation Observation at Kaynor Technical High School with Mr. Dobrydnio.

I had the opportunity to observe a physical education class at Kaynor Technical High School in Waterbury, CT, with Mr. Dobrydnio. The class I observed was a 9th grade class, and it was their first physical education class of the year. The beginning of the class focused on the syllabus and the rest of the class focused on team building activities. The focus of the first few classes is to get the student not only use to working together but also focusing activities that allow the student to become more comfortable working together. Mr. Dobrydino focuses much of his classes, not only on being physically active but also on developing good movers. Good movers are individual who can appropriately move through space while being aware of their body and the space around them. After the syllabus was presented and the students were aware of the expectations of the year, a team work activity was presented. The students were arranged in two circles depending on the month of their birthday. Students then were asked to hold hands in the circle, with one hula-hoop between two of the students in each of the circles. The students then had to pass the hula-hoop around the circle. The circle with the fastest time won the game. I greatly enjoyed my observation of the class but still have decided the physical education is not a career that I am interested in perusing. I found the information of developing good movers and teamwork to be extremely interesting, and can be beneficial not only in my pursue of physical therapy but also in my work currently as a personal trainer.

Reflection on Physical Therapy Observation at Cheshire Fitness Zone

Cheshire Fitness Zone focuses on pediatric therapy and training programs. Over the course of my six hours there, I was able to observe three physical therapist and eight patients. I completed my hours in three hour sessions over the course of two days. By doing so, I was able to see two separate sessions for many of the children. Most of pediatric physical therapy is neurologic, with some orthopedic and weight management. Many of the children I was able to observe had spectrum disorder, cerebral palsy, or a neurologic impairment. This being, session varied from working on simply strengthen a particular side of the body, to developing the childs upper body so they can push themselves into their wheel chair. Each physical therapist handled each child with care and special attention. For many of the children, the sessions were extremely frustrating. One child, on the more extreme side of spectrum disorder, cried frequently throughout the session. The physical therapist handled this by speaking quietly to him, encouraging him, and helping him proceed through the rest of the session. The sessions slowly progressed each week, either by intensity, type, or length in time spent of a particular exercise. At the end of their session with the physical therapist, each child was able to choose an exercise that they wished to do. The choices were either rock climbing, kinect, trampoline, or any use of the equipment that was appropriate for the abilities. My experiences at Cheshire Fitness Zone greatly encouraged my decision to pursue a career in pediatric physical therapy. As a physical therapist, I would have the ability to help a child develop a more functioning independent body.

Reflection of Observation at Southern Connecticut State Universitys Human Performance Lab.

Southern Connecticut State Universitys Human Performance Lab offers several functionality, fitness, and performance assessments. These assessments are great for determining a starting point for goals, an ending point for goals, physical fitness, and any areas in ones fitness that will need improvement. With my Intro to Exercise Science class, I was able to observe three separate fitness tests be performed on three of my classmates. The first two tests performed were both skin folds tests to determine the percentage of body fat on two of my classmates. To observe the difference how the areas in which the skin fold test is performed is determined by gender, both a males and females body fat was assessed. The areas where the skin fold was being measured was assessed three times, with a break in between each time. The three measurements were them averaged and combined into a formula that then presented the body fat of the individual. The second test performed was a hydrostatic weighing of a female of the class. The hydrostatic weighing is one of the best forms of analyzing body fat. The individual is first weighing outside of the water, and then weighed in water. In order to have the most accurate reading, the individual must completely submerge themselves under water, release all air out of their lungs, and keep their hands and legs form touching any surface. Once the individual has done so, the lab staff watches for the dial on the weight to stop moving, receives a clear reading, and then signals the individual that they can come out of the water. Both weights, hydro and the one done before the test, are then placed into a formula to determine the body composition. In this test, the greatest problem is people who dont feel comfortable being completely submerged.

If the individual moves around a lot, of touches any of the surfaces inside of the tank, the weighing can be skewed. I found the analysis performed at the Human Performance lab extremely interesting. The information that can be gathered through an analysis is intriguing. My observations done here, has definitely encouraged me to continue my education in human performance.

Reflection of Professional Development Hours at United Way Fundraiser Located at Fitness at the Edge.

I was able to volunteer my time at a fundraiser for the United Way of Greater Waterbury at Fitness at the Edge of September 21, 2013. United Way provides financial and human resources to the area to help create a better community and to help resolve community issues. The fundraiser included food, raffles, 10 minute chair massages, and continuous group exercise classes. I volunteered my time in helping to set up the event, greeting and directing individuals on where in the gym to go, encouraging purchases of raffle tickets, and teaching group exercise classes. Besides myself, there were two other instructors, a representative from United Way, a massage therapist, and a small group of student from the local high school. Several local businesses, as well as a few members at Fitness at the Edge, donated baskets to be raffled off. All together, the fundraiser was able to raise close to $2,000. Many of the individuals who attended the fundraiser participated in all of the group exercise classes scheduled for the day. Participates were open to the exercises presented and performed them to the best of their abilities. Throughout the program, I had to quickly perform different tasks to help keep the fundraiser moving smoothly. Having to do so, help me learn how to properly run a fundraiser. My experiences at the event encouraged me to use my education and abilities to help my community around me. The use of exercise as a form of fundraising opened my eyes to another way human performance can be used in a career.