What do you think about picking teams in gym class?

[C&G'sMama]

I was always picked last. It stunk. I survived. But I don't think it's a good idea. There are plenty of other opportunities for kids to be left out . The purpose of PE classes is to help keep kids fit. To echo another poster humiliation does not need to be part of the curriculum.

As for team sports that don't keep score. Again, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to take part in team sports with scores and there should be. But I have my kids in Y sports where the emphasis is on team work and skill building. If when they are older they want to do something more competitive, I'll sign them up.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Improve or get out of the way. What a way to treat anyone.

Yep - if you have a weak child and you want them to become stronger, ignoring their weakness isn't going to help them. Pointing it out might. Having their peers point it out will accomplish more than anything that you could do if they are already at that point.

Of course, if a parent really cared about his/her kids, they would have prepared them for this day before the teams were picked instead of demanding a commune like environment in which excellence is dumbed down and everyone is expected to treat everyone else the same, ignoring human nature.

Sounds like some of you were picked on too much as children and it left "scars"...

 

[jrmasm]

I have already explained in a pp but one has nothing to do with the other. A kid that has that much trouble reading should not be put on display. Its not about a lack of studying it about lack of ability. Two different things.

No, it's not different. Some people stink at reading out loud, some stink at public speaking, some kids can do the math but can't do it at the board etc, etc, etc.

And like all those things, it is possible to improve your weak areas. You may never be the best but you can always get better with practice.

 

[luvsJack]

The thing that I don't understand is why parents feel that we need to shelter kids from everything. It seems that anything in life that may cause disappointment needs to be eliminated.

No more reading out loud
No more keeping score in sports
No more tryouts. Everyone makes the team
No more picking teams in gym class because someone gets picked last

Why does no one realize that this is going to hurt the kids in the long run.

Instead of sheltering kids from every little thing that may hurt them, why can't we teach them that life is full of disappointments and we need to adapt.

Not picking teams in PE has absolutely zilch to do with the other things in your post.

Not reading aloud in class was something that several experts suggested--NOT parents. It can cause severe embarrassment for a kid that has a lot of trouble reading. What exactly is the point of putting him/her on display?

Picking the team for a sports team is completely different. The kids are not forced to try out, they have no choice in taking PE. Yes, they may get disappointed but they know that going in and can choose not to be there. And I have never heard of school teams that do not do try outs (expect our football team and that is just because they have to have every boy that goes out for football).

The only time my kids have played a sport that didn't keep score was in T-ball. After the first year or two, score was kept. They have many, many years of competition ahead of them (and disappointing losses); I see no problem not keeping score for 4 and 5 year olds.

Sports teams teach a lot about disappointment and life not being fair sometimes; I just don't see the need for that lesson in PE.

 

[kaytieeldr]

When it comes to behavior, they learn more from their peers than anyone else.

Well, if you want to teach behavior, offer a psych (social studies) class. How does peer treatment improve one's abilities in physical education? And how does the PE teachers' absolving themselves of teaching the poor students how to play/improve the various activities, improve those students' abilities in physical education?

 

[cheermom1]

Yep - if you have a weak child and you want them to become stronger, ignoring their weakness isn't going to help them. Pointing it out might. Having their peers point it out will accomplish more than anything that you could do if they are already at that point.

Of course, if a parent really cared about his/her kids, they would have prepared them for this day before the teams were picked instead of demanding a commune like environment in which excellence is dumbed down and everyone is expected to treat everyone else the same, ignoring human nature.

Sounds like some of you were picked on too much as children and it left "scars"...

I am right there with ya. I was always picked last but hey it made me work harder and improve myself and I am a stronger adult for the life lessons I learned as a kid.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Not picking teams in PE has absolutely zilch to do with the other things in your post...

In your opinion...

 

[kaytieeldr]

No, it's not different. Some people stink at reading out loud, some stink at public speaking, some kids can do the math but can't do it at the board etc, etc, etc.

And like all those things, it is possible to improve your weak areas. You may never be the best but you can always get better with practice.

But in all those cases, the student improves (or attempts to improve) by getting help from the teacher - not having to ask for it, but the teacher simply recognizing a problem exists and working with the student.

Not so, or VERY rarely so, with physical education.

 

[luvsJack]

No, it's not different. Some people stink at reading out loud, some stink at public speaking, some kids can do the math but can't do it at the board etc, etc, etc.

And like all those things, it is possible to improve your weak areas. You may never be the best but you can always get better with practice.

So you would rather see a kid's love for reading smashed out at an early age? If a young kid constantly associates reading with embarrassment is NOT going to keep reading.

Its not always possible to improve. Their are a lot of people with a weakness in reading that cannot just be improved with practice.

Answering questions out loud come from studying the material and most teachers ask for a raise of hands and call on the students that raise their hands--meaning they either know the answer or think they do. Big difference.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

Well, if you want to teach behavior, offer a psych (social studies) class. How does peer treatment improve one's abilities in physical education? And how does the PE teachers' absolving themselves of teaching the poor students how to play/improve the various activities, improve those students' abilities in physical education?

Kids learn more about how to interact with others on the playground than anywhere else.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Yep - if you have a weak child and you want them to become stronger, ignoring their weakness isn't going to help them. Pointing it out might. Having their peers point it out will accomplish more than anything that you could do if they are already at that point.

Of course, if a parent really cared about his/her kids, they would have prepared them for this day before the teams were picked instead of demanding a commune like environment in which excellence is dumbed down and everyone is expected to treat everyone else the same, ignoring human nature.

Sounds like some of you were picked on too much as children and it left "scars"...

Nobody said anything about ignoring a weakness. I pointed out to you that you can work on anything you want but sometimes you are just not going to be good at it. Should we all point and snicker at you for it?
Nobody is saying that excellence shouldn't be rewarded but gym class is not place for it. Gym class is not for competition. It is for physical activity. It is not for creating a super team to win a championship. It is to get the kids out and running around while teaching them some fun skills.
As far as treating everyone the same- yeah, all people should be treated with respect. Humiliating them is not respectful at all. To be honest I think your posts come across as very mean spirited. Do you have any compassion and kindness for others?

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

...Nobody is saying that excellence shouldn't be rewarded but gym class is not place for it. Gym class is not for competition. It is for physical activity. It is not for creating a super team to win a championship. It is to get the kids out and running around while teaching them some fun skills....

Are you that disconnected from your childhood? When I was in gym class, we picked teams when were were playing a game in which score was kept. EVERY kid wanted to win. You picked teams to WIN. The worst kids were picked last. You might be picked first for one game but last for another, based on your ability. That's life. If you were picked last for every sport, it is time to wake up and put in a little extra time at home or accept your mediocrity.

But don't be confused - when they pick teams, the kids want to win. It most certainly is not about running around.

 

[angelmav]

Do none of you people or your little snowflakes have any coping skills at all?

Getting picked last for a game is not a big deal, not getting a kakigori for your little snowflake for free is not a big deal, not getting picked to be in the jedi training is not a big deal, having peers that dont like you is not a big deal, being slightly embarrased at some point in your life is not a big deal.

Get over yourselves and put on some big boy/girl pants already.

 

[Gabes_mommy]

I am not athletic - I never have been and I never will be. I was always one of the last kids picked.

Did it scar me for life? Heck no! I don't think I even cared back then. Sports were just never going to be my thing. I have other strengths. I always had lots of fun and lots of friends.

If you are confident, this kind of thing really isn't a big deal IMO.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Are you that disconnected from your childhood? When I was in gym class, we picked teams when were were playing a game in which score was kept. EVERY kid wanted to win. You picked teams to WIN. The worst kids were picked last. You might be picked first for one game but last for another, based on your ability. That's life. If you were picked last for every sport, it is time to wake up and put in a little extra time at home or accept your mediocrity.

But don't be confused - when they pick teams, the kids want to win. It most certainly is not about running around.

No I am not disconnected from my childhood but thanks for asking.
Yes- the kids want to win but the point of this thread is that having the kids pick the team is not good practice. While they are playing "teams" etc. gym itself is not supposed to be a competitive class. It is supposed to be about physical activity. If you want kids to do better a little encouragement goes a long way.
Oh- and you can put in all the effort you want and accept your "mediocrity" but that doesn't make you feel any better when you have to listen to your peers groan about having you on their team every week. I find it amazing that you wouldn't feel bad for a child that was crushed like that. That really is a travesty if you ask me. I only hope your kids are never the ones that nobody wants to be around because they aren't good at something.

 

[jrmasm]

So you would rather see a kid's love for reading smashed out at an early age? If a young kid constantly associates reading with embarrassment is NOT going to keep reading.

Its not always possible to improve. Their are a lot of people with a weakness in reading that cannot just be improved with practice.

Answering questions out loud come from studying the material and most teachers ask for a raise of hands and call on the students that raise their hands--meaning they either know the answer or think they do. Big difference.

First, of course not. Don't be silly. But reading aloud is a skill that benefits children. Just as public speaking is.

Most can improve, again they may never be the best, but most can improve.

Teachers never call on kids that don't have their hands raised? Never ask a question before they have the chance to raise their hands? Or course they do.

I would suspect that there is not an activity that goes on in a classroom that does not make at least one child feel uncomfortable. Jimmy doesn't like to read out loud. Jane hates to answer math questions. John would rather die than go to the board. And Billy hates gym class.

We will always run into situations that are outside of our comfort zone. Children need to learn to cope.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

No I am not disconnected from my childhood but thanks for asking.
Yes- the kids want to win but the point of this thread is that having the kids pick the team is not good practice. While they are playing "teams" etc. gym itself is not supposed to be a competitive class. It is supposed to be about physical activity. If you want kids to do better a little encouragement goes a long way.

This proves that you have totally lost touch with your inner child. Imagine, if you will, a bunch of kids playing basketball. You tell the kids that this is just for fun and they are not to keep score. Tell me - how many of those kids would really "not keep score"? Answer - only the kids that are picked last every week. The kids that care will keep score every time.

Oh- and you can put in all the effort you want and accept your "mediocrity" but that doesn't make you feel any better when you have to listen to your peers groan about having you on their team every week. I find it amazing that you wouldn't feel bad for a child that was crushed like that. That really is a travesty if you ask me. I only hope your kids are never the ones that nobody wants to be around because they aren't good at something.

Yeah, it is terrible that someone have their weaknesses pointed out to them. Horrible. How did we ever make it this far as a species with such horrible behavior?

Sorry if you don't like it, but life is about picking teams. Some kids will always get picked last, and that isn't a bad thing for the species.

 

[DisneyBamaFan]

I am not athletic - I never have been and I never will be. I was always one of the last kids picked.

Did it scar me for life? Heck no! I don't think I even cared back then. Sports were just never going to be my thing. I have other strengths. I always had lots of fun and lots of friends.

If you are confident, this kind of thing really isn't a big deal IMO.

 

[lillygator]

My parents had five kids in less than four and a half years. They had bigger concerns than me always getting picked last in gym - and I knew not to bother them about it.

that's pretty sad that you felt you could not "bother" your parents...especially if it was something that bothered you. 1or 100 kids, parents should have time for them.

I am assuming you mean speech class as in stand in front of the class and make a speech; not speech therapy?

Of course they still take speech. A speech is not read, it is spoken; major difference. Many children that cannot read very well can write things like speeches very well.

Obviously you have never heard a child try to read aloud that stumbles over every other word and the teacher has to correct several times. Their face turns red, their voice gets lower and lower and are just humiliated. How can that possibly instill a love of reading in anyone?

BUT how then, will the child get help. Teachers are sooo busy they don't have time to listen to one on one reading with each child in the classroom. How does the love of the other subjects get instilled in the child?

Answering questions out loud come from studying the material and most teachers ask for a raise of hands and call on the students that raise their hands--meaning they either know the answer or think they do. Big difference.

actually my teachers called on kids who did not raise their hand to see if in fact, they had read the material. Just because you don't raise your hand for fear of being called on is not going to take away the same red faced, quiet answers as you saying reading aloud would do.

First, of course not. Don't be silly. But reading aloud is a skill that benefits children. Just as public speaking is.

Most can improve, again they may never be the best, but most can improve.

Teachers never call on kids that don't have their hands raised? Never ask a question before they have the chance to raise their hands? Or course they do.

I would suspect that there is not an activity that goes on in a classroom that does not make at least one child feel uncomfortable. Jimmy doesn't like to read out loud. Jane hates to answer math questions. John would rather die than go to the board. And Billy hates gym class.

We will always run into situations that are outside of our comfort zone. Children need to learn to cope.

good post!

 

[luvsJack]

Yep - if you have a weak child and you want them to become stronger, ignoring their weakness isn't going to help them. Pointing it out might. Having their peers point it out will accomplish more than anything that you could do if they are already at that point.

Of course, if a parent really cared about his/her kids, they would have prepared them for this day before the teams were picked instead of demanding a commune like environment in which excellence is dumbed down and everyone is expected to treat everyone else the same, ignoring human nature.

Sounds like some of you were picked on too much as children and it left "scars"...

Having peers point something out will only work IF: the child has a strong enough personality to handle the criticism from peers (not easy at middle school level) and if the peers do it in a productive way not in a "ha, ha! Look how stupid he looks" kind of way (also, not easy for middle schoolers as they love to put each other down)

Parents cannot prepare their kids before every PE class, that is just dumb.

The PE teacher choosing to pick teams in a different manner is NOT sheltering anyone from anything. If mom went down to the school and said "I don't want my child playing in PE because everyone will see she is a klutz", they THAT would be sheltering. That is not what is happening. No one is asking for something different for one child.

You still don't seem to realize that every child does not have the ability to improve in physical activity. And most of the time it is not even about ability it is about being one of the better liked kids.

I took PE all through school, it was required even in hs during my years. All the way through the lower grades the teacher allowed students to choose the teams. I was the last chosen. I found many many reasons not to participate. More headaches attacked during that hour of the day. In high school our PE teacher just said "today we are playing volleyball. sue, jane, mary on that side; lisa, lynn and melissa on that side" And we all went to play the game. No sighs, no arguments, not eye rolling, no excuses. I actually learned to LIKE some sports because of that. If she would have continued the way the former teacher did, I probably would have never learned to like a lot of the things we learned to do that year (she actually TAUGHT PE rather than watched it).

I just don't see what the problem is with the teacher doing it that way. It worked. No one was singled out. Everyone participated and everyone had fun.