Vote for this Best Practice | Email to a Friend

Teacher: Joe Deutsch who teaches at Madison Elementary in Fargo, ND. Joe Deutsch can be contacted at deutscj@fargo.k12.nd.us.

Name of Best Practice: Student Activity Leadership

Rationale/Purpose of Event: To give 5th and 6th grade students leadership and responsibility opportunities before graduating to the junior high and allow these students to be good role models for impressionable younger students. NASPE Standard 5: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others in physical activity settings.

Suggested Grade Level: 5th and 6th

Materials Needed: Student Activity Leadership Shirts - identifies members, whistle and lanyard for everyone who referees

Student Activity Leadership

Student Activity Leadership allows students many opportunities that include: to present on the morning news/announcements, referee afterschool gym, lead younger children in appropriate games during recess, perform skits on appropriate behavior and respecting others during our school lyciums as well as any other beneficial activity for your Physical Education program. Students also assist when help is needed such as tying laces during my ice skating unit or helping set up for our school carnival, when student leaders are requested.

Every morning we have a team of three students (rotates by week) that broadcasts the morning news/announcements over the school television into all classrooms. These students inform the school what are the different lunch choices, various activities after school, and inform/discuss how to be a good role model. They also recite our school motto together, "At Madison school we are fine, our behavior is above the line."

The Leadership team meets with the principal once a month. These responsible role models receive a schedule of who is doing morning news/announcements as well as who is refereeing afterschool gym each week. I facilitate the afterschool gym portion. The Student Leaders are responsible for organizing teams and refereeing games. The Leadership Team also receives a schedule of when the are directing games outside during recess and what games that they will be facilitating. During this time, Student Leaders can ask questions about the games being played, inquire about the rules of a game they will be refereeing and decide to change dates with another leader if there is a schedule conflict. Student Leaders then select skits they will be performing that month and bring up any concerns with the principal that they encountered from the student body.

Student Leaders are expected to be responsible at all times, including finding a replacement if they cannot attend their assigned committment. Student Leaders are allowed to miss only one time without contacting the principal or they are removed from the team. They may also be removed from the team if they have more than one serious incident in a year.

Variations:

By implementing Student Activity Leadership, you can add your own activities (or choose different ones that would not fit in your school setting) to what is already provided.

Teaching Suggestions/Tips:

The leadership group should be student-led and Principal/Physical Education teacher are facilitators. Students feel a sense of ownership and thus responsibility for its success. One other suggestion: Student leaders could also be engaged in the Physical Education classes for younger students. Under the supervision of the Physical Education teacher, the leaders' should include responsibilities in Physical Education classes, such as helping the teacher facilitate the younger peers' learning of concepts and skills. Permission should be granted by parents, classroom teachers, and the administrator(s) with the understanding that these leaders will not sacrifice other significant instruction in the classroom.

Vote for this Best Practice
(Any Practice receiving 5 Votes earns Blue Ribbon Status on PEC)

Email this best practice!


Posted on PEC: 5/10/2005 and has received 89 votes.

Post a Comment:

Let others know how this idea went when you implemented/tried it with your kids. Include any variations, suggested teaching tips, positive comments, etc. so others can benefit from your tips. Please be helpful and positive with all comments. Look below to see all posted comments.

 

Name:
Comments:
 

Previous Comments:

There are currently no comments to display. Be the first to add a comment!


[Back to Best Practices Menu]