Kidnastics : A Child-Centered Approach to Teaching Gymnastics

by Malmberg, Eric

• ISBN13: 9780736033947
• ISBN10: 0736033947
• Edition: Custom
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2003-03-06
• Publisher: LAD Custom Publishing, INC

Summary

KiDnastics® makes your job easier:-Simplifies instruction into three easy steps-Frames content around just five movement categories-Increases kids'movement vocabulary-Goes beyond isolated skills to routines and sequences-Provides for individual differences-Requires little or no spottingForget about dragging around heavy gymnastics equipment; put an end to your worries about student safety. This book brings to life an instructional model that will change the way you teach gymnastics.KiDnastics®is a simplification and a rethinking of traditional gymnastics. It's a one-of-a-kind program inspired by children and built around the joy of moving and the interplay of movement and the environment. Borrowing elements from traditional and educational gymnastics, KiDnasticsplaces the conceptual focus on how both traditional and nontraditional equipment can be adapted, changed, or manipulated to produce different practice environments for more efficient student learning. No special equipment is required, and the concepts are adaptable to any physical education setting, regardless of resources or budget.This highly visual book takes a unique, three-step approach to teaching gymnastics:1. Practice single skills. 2. Sequence the skills together. 3. Perform them for an audience.To simplify instruction, the KiDnastics model frames its content around just five movement categories: rolling, jumping, balancing, vaulting, and hanging and climbing. The book presents 70 skills divided into 16 themes within those movement categories. Once the students learn some basic movement skills, they combine them into sequences with partners, trios, or small groups. The kids choreograph their own routines (often coming up with very creative sequences) and have a blast in the process, all the while learning cooperation and teamwork. Finally, students demonstrate their routines in a variety of ways. The book gives you tons of ideas to help you coordinate a culminating eventa KiDnastics showby providing organizational ideas, formats, checklists, and sample parental newsletters.This step-by-step line of attack makes it easy for you to learn the KiDnastics approach and then teach it to your students. You play the role of facilitator, presenting tasks that students practice first in one environment and then in many different environments to expand their movement repertoires. The book includes illustrated task cards that you can photocopy and laminate so that class preparation is easyjust have students select task cards and then develop their own routines.This child-centered approach applies COPEC's (Council on Physical Education for Children) developmentally appropriate physical education practices by helping students acquire a well-rounded movement base and challenging them to select their favorite moves and refine their skills through practice of their own partner sequences. KiDnastics is also effective in inclusive settings because the students work at their own ability levels in noncompetitive situations, and you can provide for individual differences by modifying or reconfiguring the practice environment.KiDnastics works equally well whether you prefer a child-centered, indirect, and problem-solving style or a more direct style. It's a great way to make your job easier and at the same time help students have more fun and achieve greater success.

Author Biography

Eric Malmberg is an associate professor of physical education and former department chair at the State University of New York at Cortland.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments	vi
How to Use This Book	vii
PART I Understanding KiDnastics®	1	(26)
Rethinking Gymnastics Instruction: How KiDnastics® Evolved	3	(6)
Listening With Our Eyes	3	(1)
Other Gymnastics Models	4	(1)
A Hybrid Model	5	(2)
A Three-Step Process	7	(1)
A Style-Free Model	8	(1)
Summary	8	(1)
Environmental Manipulation: An Approach to Skill Development	9	(8)
Expanding Movement Vocabulary	9	(1)
Specific Shaping of Skills	10	(1)
Nontraditional KiDnastics Environments	10	(6)
Summary	16	(1)
Teaching and Assessing KiDnastics®	17	(10)
Using the Three-Step Process	17	(2)
Assessment	19	(6)
Summary	25	(2)
PART II Practicing Environmentally	27	(108)
Rolling Environments	29	(18)
Four Basic Rolls	30	(5)
Safety Rolls	35	(5)
Forward, Backward, and Shoulder Rolls	40	(7)
Jumping Environments	47	(12)
Good Landings	48	(4)
Five Basic Jumps	52	(7)
Balancing Environments	59	(30)
Static Balances	60	(6)
Upright Dynamic Balances	66	(10)
Inverted Balances (Tip-Ups and Head Balances)	76	(5)
Inverted Balances (Hand Walks and Balances)	81	(8)
Vaulting Environments	89	(18)
Animal Movements	90	(5)
Wheeling and Cartwheeling	95	(4)
Front, Flank, and Straddle Vaulting	99	(8)
Hanging and Climbing Environments	107	(28)
Hanging Shapes	108	(6)
Hanging and Travelling	114	(7)
Rotating	121	(7)
Supporting	128	(7)
PART III Sequencing and Performing KiDnastics® Routines	135	(16)
Ideas for Sequencing and Performing	137	(8)
Sequencing Within the Five KiDnastics Movement Categories	137	(1)
Sequencing Across the Five KiDnastics Movement Categories	138	(1)
Teacher-Selected Sequences	138	(1)
Task Cards	139	(1)
Student-Selected Sequences	139	(2)
Performing KiDnastics Work	141	(2)
KiDnastics Partner Routines: An Authentic Assessment	143	(1)
Summary	144	(1)
Organizing and Performing KiDnastics® Shows	145	(6)
What Is a KiDnastics Show?	145	(1)
Why Do a KiDnastics Show?	146	(1)
Who Can Participate in a KiDnastics Show?	146	(1)
Invitations to a KiDnastics Show?	146	(1)
Newsletters	146	(1)
Summary	147	(4)
Conclusion	151	(2)
Bibliography	153	(2)
Appendix: Task Cards	155	(20)
About the Author	175