In past years, states have been uncomfortable with allowing dodge ball in their schools. Dodge ball is one of many sports that can be used to help students safely and creatively, if thought through carefully. The sport of dodge ball has been labeled as unfit to allow students to play because of students getting hurt or bullying. These are excuses to ban a sport that I feel are un-reasonable.
At times this sport is dangerous if the rules are not followed. Also I have seen many other games where children will bully others. It is not a reasonable way to think that throwing a ball to get another child out is bullying if that’s a part of the game. If kids pick on some of the slower kids in class during tag is that not bullying? To consider that dodge ball is simple a bullying sport is a poor way to support a ban on it. It is up to the teacher to make this sport comfortable for the kids to play. Teachers can use gater foam balls instead of the typical red dodge ball. In my own experience playing with children at a YMCA camp, we have seen minimal injuries, and also kids seem to have no problems being scared of the ball. Some variations can be implemented for students to play to make it less dangerous, bounce dodge ball (where the ball must be bounced before it hits someone) is still fun and makes the game safer by slowing down the velocity of the ball.
Dodge ball can help students have fun in their classes and at the same time fit the criteria for a safe and healthy lesson plan. We are the teachers of tomorrow who must keep a sport such as dodge ball around for a fun way to keep children healthy and safe in Physical Education.
No comments:
Post a Comment