Tag games session V

Although we had already had some classes presenting tag games, the last session was also interesting and we learn some new things.

The most important lesson was that we should not waste time giving explanations, that children are beings of action and that is the only way we have to motivate them and also to make them participate in physical education. This appeared when one of our mates wanted to make a modification in her game in order to make it more active for all the pupils. However, instead of putting it into practice she tried to dialogue with us so as to find the better solution. Nonetheless, this was not what she should have done. The best way to know if a modification works is doing it, without hesitation. And then, we will be able to change the things that do not work. Otherwise, children become distracted with other things and then it is more difficult to go back to the game. Of course, this is not an easy task since the teacher has to have the confidence to be sure that he will be able to modify the game on the fly. As I have said along the portfolio, experience is a great advantage in this point, but it is also important that we dare to experiment, to try new things. In the end, this is the final purpose of education, to innovate the methodology and the activities in order to facilitate the learning to the students.

                

What I also learned is that any game can be adapted to all ages and purposes. That was the case of a tag game which was similar to "cops and thieves" but this time was adapted to older people. How was it done? As simply as using an object so as to introduce the need of planning an strategy. Although so many people may think that tag games are only for children, this belief was refuted when we had to play it. Strategy is a way to make a game more complex and thus for older players. The motor domain is combined with the cognitive one giving the game the amusement that might have lost due to the age.

In conclusion, teachers should be able to design flexible activities that address to all kind of students. But we also have to take into account that planning cannot ensure that an activity will work. As a result, the teacher should have enough creativity and resources in order to adapt the game to the needs that might arise. Nonetheless, all these virtues can only be shown if the teacher has courage and he is not afraid to change.