Camp Caesar PE Conference

Wow, it has been a long while since I posted some thoughts. I have actually been sharing quite a few things through my facebook page (www.facebook.com/ctriolet) but this might be a better way to share some thoughts with all.

Now, let's get to business at hand.....Camp Caesar PE Conference.Camp Caesar is a rustic 4H camp near Cowen, West Virginia. the conference is held over a weekend, usually at the end of May. This past year, I was invited to be one of the paid presenters along with two excellent teachers from Winchester, VA (Mac and JT) who presented together. We were given 4 presentation opportunities over the two days to share a variety of activities with the attendees. There were about 240 participants for the conference, interestingly enough about half were NOT physical education teachers (due to the fact the the University of West Virginia offers college credit for attending the conference.....smart!). It was a collection of classroom, special education, and resource teachers. There were even a couple of nurses.

What makes Camp Caesar special is the atmosphere. The rustic 4H camp gives the conference a more laid-back feel. The meals are held in a large hall with a huge collection of 12 foot tables and metal chairs. All the meals are family style and you know it's time to eat when you hear the dinner bell. Throughout the conference, there are opportunities to mingle and socialize (especially during "Social Fitness" which occurs nightly from 9p - 12a). There are break-out sessions, campers, a plastic duck race ("ducky derby"), a four-square tournament, campfires, and much much more. Along with all the fun, there were plenty of great sessions to attend and tons of ideas that could be taken back to any educational setting (I used about 10 ideas before the school year ended!).

If you are looking for staff development, college credit, and/or fun......Camp Caesar is the place to be!!

For more information about the Camp Caesar PE Conference, visit their website; www.ccphysed.org/301.html.


Chad Triolet
The "Noodle Guy"
www.noodlegames.net

Using Technology in Physical Education

Over the holidays, I was speaking with a friend about heart rate monitors. He is a businessman who works for a local computer company. He also teaches "spinning" at a local recreation center a few times a week. We started chatting about his using heart rate monitors during his classes which of course made me happy. When he started teaching several years ago, I mentioned that it would be great to have all of the people in his class use a heart rate monitor to assess their individual performances during the class. After giving him some basic information about heart rate monitors and several suggestions about what types/ models he should get, he went out and bought several to try with clients. He now requires that all of the "spinners" in his classes wear a heart rate monitor while he teaches a class. The rec. center has purchased several that people can borrow if they have forgotten their own or are new to the class. He mentioned that his regulars have all purchased their own heart rate monitors and really love using them. I am so impressed by what my friend, Scott, has done. He has gotten the rec. center to buy into the importance of using heart rate monitors to improve fitness and he has gotten many people interested in keeping track of their own fitness level using a heart rate monitor. What was really interesting is that Scott mentioned how surprised he is how many people had never really heard of or used a heart rate monitor prior to being a part of his class. This, of course, got me thinking.

How many physical education programs across the country are teaching students how to use technology tools like pedometers and heart rate monitors to keep track of their fitness levels? If not using pedometers and/or heart rate monitors, what is the reason? As a physical educator, isn't it our responsibility provide students with a knowledge of how to stay fit and healthy for a lifetime? Why are there physical education programs who are not teaching students how to use these important technology tools to assess fitness, amount of activity, and performance? It would be like teaching math without teaching students how to properly use a calculator or teaching science without teaching students how to use the Bunsen Burner or a microscope.

I teach elementary physical education and in first grade we introduce the concept of heart rate. In third grade, we introduce and use pedometers throughout the year. And, in fifth grade we teach students how to use a heart rate monitor, let students use them, and discuss why they are important. Although the exposure to these tools is somewhat limited due to the age of the students and the amount of time we have them, I think introducing these items is critical. It is sad that more programs (including athletic programs) don't take advantage of these technology tools to help students train more efficiently.

There are many great lessons on heart rate monitors and pedometers that can be found on http://pecentral.com.

Chad Triolet
www.noodlegames.net

Surgery to combat type II diabetes and obesity?

Last night I watched a report on the news about using gastric bypass surgery to help extremely overweight teens reverse type II diabetes. As I sat there watching the clip, I became disturbed by the entire concept. This is the lazy-man's cure to growing trend in the United States (and across the world for that matter). How are these teens getting so obese? Is this problem behavioral or genetic (I think we know the answer)? Is our society as a whole enabling this unhealthy condition? Aren't these children seeing pediatricians as they grow and develop? Don't they have Physical Education on a regular basis in schools? Are we worried about calling them "fat" or "obese"? Where are the intervention programs to help these kids (walking programs, physical therapy, nutrition and wellness classes, etc.)? What is the cost of the surgery? Isn't intervention a cheaper and safer alternative to a major surgery with possible life-threatening complications?

What troubles me the most is this concept that surgery is the answer to this problem. Has anyone seen the show, "The Biggest Loser?" They assess each participants wellness prior to beginning the exercise the program. Many of the participants have type II diabetes, high blood pressure, and signs of serious heart disease. After being involved in the EXERCISE program for a period of time, they are reevaluated and it is amazing to see how much these results change. Is anyone aware that regular exercise and lowering body fat will have similar results as this procedure. I understand that maintaining a healthy body weight can be a challenge for many individuals. No one said it was easy, it takes discipline, a basic knowledge of nutrition, making smart health choices, plenty of exercise, and time. Simply put, we need give these overweight teens an opportunity to be active in a successful environment that is fun, and allows them to make choices maybe surgery won't be necessary.

As I sit writing this blog, I am wondering if I am doing enough as a Physical Educator to help my students who are overweight. I have done walking programs, had before school and after-school exercise programs from year to year, but can I do more? At this point, I am not sure what the answer is but I will say that I think that society (especially the medical community) needs to take a bit more ownership regarding this obesity "epidemic". Sadly the future cost of our health care insurance is going to reflect this obesity problem and we will ALL have to pay for it!

For more information on the surgery and the study related to the use of gastric bypass with teens, see - http://diabetes.webmd.com/news/20081229/surgery-reverses-type-2-diabetes-in-teens

Chad Triolet
The "Noodle Guy"

Elf Yourself Dance

Happy Holidays from the NoodleGames family!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Making a Difference in Physical Education

Here are some simple tips to keep in mind when instructing physical education;
1. Be a role model - wear a pedometer, eat healthy meals at school, make healthy drink choices (i.e. - water, not soda), and move regularly with your students
2. Know the Playbook - prepare quality lesson plans for every lesson, keep up with current research, and articles & books related to quality physical education, health, and wellness
3. Make PE functional and fun - all students need to be engaged in activity, make connections with lessons and lifelong fitness & wellness, and use/create activities that are fun and engaging
4. Moving = Learning - research consistently shows a positive link between movement and learning, make others aware of this link, and incorporate core content in physical education lessons when appropriate
5. Be an Advocate for Quality PE - engage all students in learning, provide instructions and frequent feedback for students, assess students throughout the lesson, and tie lessons to opportunities for lifelong health and wellness
6. Try something new each year!

Chad Triolet
www.noodlegames.net

2008 NCAAHPERD in Winston-Salem, NC - WOW!!!

What do you get when you use a spacious conference center and add over 50 vendors, and over 2200 physical & health education and dance professionals?? The best state AHPERD conference I have attended in the 2008!!!

Kudos to the NCAAHPERD Executive Director, Conference Coordinator, and the Board of NCAAHPERD for putting together a very professional and fun conference. During the conference, I was able to do three presentations (1-Noodle Mania, and 2-Omnikin). All the sessions were well-attended (of course, with 2200 participants that is not difficult to understand).

It was great getting to see my buddies from Socci (www.socci.net), Grant Scheffer and Dale Slear! Sadly, that will be the last time I see those guys until 2009. If you ever get the chance to check out their sweet multi-purpose 3-D goal, it'll blow your mind!

Unfortunately, I was unable to take a lot of photos. When I download them, I will be sure to post a few on this blog, so be sure to check back later.

Thanks again to NCAAHPERD and all the awesome professionals I met....what a great time!

Chad
www.noodlegames.net

2008 SCAHPERD Conference (Myrtle Beach, SC)

Noodle Games made its first appearance in the great state of South Carolina on Friday the 14th of November. There were about 70 people who attended the session and the 50 minutes of presentation went very fast. About 30 of the attendees helped by demonstrating the activities.

I received a lot of positive feedback after the session which is always nice. I am hopeful that I will get another opportunity to present in SC in the near future.

Below is a photo slideshow from the presentation. Enjoy!



Chad "The Noodle Guy" Triolet
www.noodlegames.net