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Teacher: Pete Gaffney who teaches at Pine Crest Elementary School in Sanford, FL. Pete Gaffney can be contacted at Peter_Gaffney@scps.k12.fl.us.
Name of Best Practice: Physical Education/Specials Club Day
Rationale/Purpose of Event: To allow students to pick the special area that they would like to attend by joining a "Club". They will get an opportunity to join friends in other classes, as well as focus on a specific club for a month's time (Wednesday's only) before heading to a different club for the next month.
Suggested Grade Level: 3-5
Physical Education/Specials Club Day
Club Day is designed to allow students freedom of choice on short-days of school which for us is Wednesday. The students in 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade get a voting ballot to choose which specials club they would like to do. The choices might be: Gatorball Club, Gymnastics Club, etc. for Physical Education. Music, Art, and Life skills classes, who are also on the specials wheel also pick a club. These may be: Keyboarding Club, Music Games, Jewelry Making Club, Cartoon Drawing Club, Spanish Club, etc. The students have the opportunity to choose 3 out of the 7 clubs presented. I collect the ballots and by using a spreadsheet, methodically place each student in a Club for each month. The students remain in one of the clubs for a month's time (about 4 Wednesdays). After a month is completed they will get a new club of choice, referring back to their ballots. After 4 months are complete, I, along with the other specials teachers choose new clubs and create a new ballot for the students to choose again for the second half of the school year.
Variations:
I change Club Day activities every 4 months. You may keep the same activities for the year or change. Also, I have invited our Technology Facilatator, Media specialist, Behavior Specialist, and Administration to create a Club. I encourage PE teachers who try this to get as many other teachers as possible to join in. This only gives kids more choices to enjoy and more educational opportunities.
Adaptations for Students with Disabilities:
Because of the choices of clubs presented, students with disabilities are eager to choose what Club works best for them. We adapt each Club so that the child will feel successful.
(Any Practice receiving 5 Votes earns Blue Ribbon Status on PEC)
Posted on PEC: 8/20/2002 and has received 63 votes.

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