Dodgeball in Phys Ed: yes or no?

After much consideration on a highly debatable topic, I have decided that I will say that yes, dodgeball should be allowed in a physical education setting. Here is my reasoning, when people think dodgeball they think of people running up to the midline, grabbing hard rubber balls and hurdling them at their opponents. Here is the reality. Today there are various forms of the game and there are now balls that can be thrown at an opponent without it hurting. There are balls called "gator skin" that are very soft and squishy. Now the question arises, can't someone still get hit in the face? True, can't a goalie get hit in the face in soccer? Can't someone get accidently hit in self defense? Can't someone get accidently elbowed in basketball? My point is this, I would NOT spend a whole unit on teaching dodgeball or a form of it. But I do believe that it could be involved in a physical education setting. I would agree I wouldn't teach it for a unit but to totally exclude it? I think that would be taking it too far. Dodgeball is a sport and as physical educators we teach kids in sport. I understand there is no real progression for it (as to why I said I wouldn't teach it as a unit) but there are some awesome forms of dodgeball that I have played in physical education settings which classes have loved!

First Time at St Mary's

What I observed at St. Mary's

This was my first time going to St Mary's and it was a completely new experience. It was fun working with the kids and the start of something new. Im glad I am getting this experience and I can tell it is going to be totally worth while!

Chapters 1-3

Why are fundamental skill developement and assessment so important to our profession and health of our students?

Fundamental skill development is very important to our profession and health of our students. Fundamental skill development is defined as learning the movements involved in two or more body parts categorized in three sections: stability, locomotor, or manipulative movements. So, you might think what would be some examples of these movements. Well, it could be any movement you can think of such as jumping, grabbing, twisting, and running. It's vital for our students to learn these movements as they will lead to advanced techniques in their futures. What is physical education if we can't teach our students basic locomotor movements that progress into more advanced ones? Physical education is all about movement and always will be. Thats what makes phys ed great. If a student doesn't get the chance to be effectively taught skill development than he/she could be behind the class and might not be able to participate in certain sports because of it. If a person than avoids exercise than that could lead to worse things down the road. We need to make sure we are developing the bodies of our students; thats what skill development is. Assessment is described as the teaching being aware as to the different skill levels of each of his or her students. This is important because every student is different and once you know where your students are, than effective teaching can commence.
                   

                               http://bodysmartblog.org/2010/06/02/the-abcs-of-motor-development/

Some impotent standards I found on aahperd.org/naspe were ones that are important to all physical educators for skill development and assessment...

Standard 1: Professional Knowledge 
Advanced physical education teacher candidates come to understand disciplinary content knowledge, the application of content knowledge to teaching physical education, and modes of inquiry that form the bases for physical education programs and instruction.

Standard 2: Professional Practice Advanced physical education teacher candidates use content knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge to design and conduct appropriate learning experiences that facilitate and enhance the growth of learners.

Standard 3: Professional Leadership
Advanced physical education teacher candidates are continuous, collaborative learners who further their own professional development and use their abilities to contribute to the profession.

http://www.aahperd.org/naspe/standards/nationalStandards/PETEstandards.cfm