Teaching Cooperative New Games (with Free eBook)

Access to Family Members/Friends

As part of this course you will be asked to participate and lead a new game so you will need access to kids and/or family members or friends.

Live Zoom Meetings and Discussions with Instructor

To complete this course you will need to set aside some time to talk live with your instructor. This can be done with Zoom or any other communication platform.

Technology Needed to Complete this Course

You will need a computer or a tablet with an updated browser. In addition, you will need access to Zoom so you can discuss things with your instructor. You will also need a valid email address.

Target Audience

This course has been designed for K-12 physical education teachers and classroom teachers who are looking for something new or are looking for ways to increase participation and cooperation in the in their program.

Course Purpose/Objectives

The course is intended to prepare teachers and group leaders to use New Games in their programs. This includes:

• looking at what makes New Games different and ‘new’,
• learning a variety of New Games by reading, watching and leading some,
• learning how to create and adapt the games to make them new and cooperative.

Learning Outcomes

The course is intended to prepare teachers and group leaders to use cooperative New Games in their programs. This includes:

1. learning a variety of 20+ New Games by reading, viewing, discussing, playing and leading them,
2. looking in depth at what makes New Games different,
3. learning how to create and adapt any games to make to new and cooperative,
4. practice leading New Games with expert positive feedback, and
5. using the games to present a lesson in any subject area,
6. looking at how New Games help meet P.E. Framework requirements.

Course Description

Teachers and group leaders will learn New Games by watching, reading, discussing, and playing them. Most importantly, they will also learn how to lead New Games, when to use them, and how to adapt them as needed. New Games are cooperative games which sometimes include competition. The main difference is that everyone wins! No one is left out, and no one is humiliated or eliminated, regardless of ability, age, size, or gender. New Games are easily adapted to include players with disabilities, different cultures, or even different languages. Around 20+ New Games will be taught with the opportunity to learn how to lead them with expert positive feedback.

Standards

This course addresses the following standards:

Source: SHAPE America National Standards https://www.shapeamerica.org/standards/

Physical Education – The physically literate individual:

Standard 1: Demonstrates competency in a variety of motor skills and movement patterns.

Standard 2: Applies knowledge of concepts, principles, strategies and tactics related to movement and performance.

Standard 4: Exhibits responsible personal and social behavior that respects self and others.

Standard 5: Recognizes the value of physical activity for health, enjoyment, challenge, self-expression and/or social interaction.

Health – Students will demonstrate the ability to:

Standard 4: Use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risks.

Standard 5: Use decision-making skills to enhance health.

Standard 7: Practice health-enhancing behaviors and avoid or reduce health risks.

Downloadable Materials

“The Spirit of Play” ebook is available for teachers to download in the course and will be used as the text to read for several of the assignments.

Videos

A number of videos demonstrating the games will be provided, with written instructions how to adapt them to include social distancing. These videos range in duration from 1 - 3 minutes.

External Content

During the course students will be asked to view a site to see a video of New Games that feature suggestions for adaptation for social distancing.

Course Design/Schedule

In this course, you will learn a series of New Games, and how to teach them. These games promote cooperative behavior and feature full participation in activities of students. There are readings from one of the course linstructor's books which is provided as an ebook and videos of the games, also provided. Additionally, there will be discussions with the instructor via the internet. As part of the course, students will not only read, watch and talk about cooperative New Games but will be expected to lead some and discuss their experience. A student’s situation will be taken into account to look how to adapt the games for their group, including ways to include social distancing. You will not need access to a class of students but you will need access to a small group of students or family and friends to participate.

After the course, students will immediately be able to use the games. Social skills and developmental skill development are a part of every game to different degrees, which will lead to enhanced social interaction and improved learning of physical and cognitive skills.