Lab 6: Star Wars!

Lab 6 Write-up

This week in lab we had a "Star Wars" theme and we incorporated a lot of parachute games during the time we were there. There were no movements to track but instead we just had fun on our last day in St. Mary's. We were in the "floater groups".

St. Mary's Elementary Animoto Video

St. Mary's Elementary!

Above is the picture collage video that I made showing an inside look at our Motor Development lab at St. Mary's Elementary School.

Lab 5: Easter!

This weeks lab was an Easter theme because Easter was this past Sunday. It was a great, high energy, day. All of the kids were hyped up after just getting back to school. Most of the people from Cortland that were there also had an awesome attitude which really translated in the games. Probably with the addition of more experience, they seemed more confident in their own ability to capture childrens attention and maintain it. This week we looked at the motor movements: stationary ball bounce (dribbling) and the kick. The two children that we chose to look at were at very different levels of skill. The girl easily got bored with the basketball dribbling and quickly resorted to either carrying the basketball or using two hands to bounce it. The boy, however, was very skilled and advanced at the basketball dribbling and kicking. This week we were in the "special projects" group and just floated around helping people out where we could. It was pretty laid back.

Lab 4 Write-Up

Chapter 5: Prenatal Factors Affecting Development

CHAPTER 5 COMMERCIAL

This is my group, the Hopscotch Heroes, Motor Development video. It uses the antics of the Royal Baby Group and Bill Fuccillo to teach about the ways in which you can harm and help your baby during intrauterine development. This was filmed at SUNY Cortland with Dan, as Billy Fuccillo, Mike and the "Razzle Dazzle Guy," and Ian, Nick and myself as customers. With help from Dan, I edited the video make it run more smoothly, adding in some extras to make it more fun. Enjoy!

Tough Mudder: Probably the Toughest Event on the Planet

This weekend I participated in an event called the "Tough Mudder." It is a 7-12 mile obstacle course that was designed by British Special forces to test strength, stamina, mental toughness and camaraderie. It took place in Pennsylvania on Saturday and it was one of the most amazing experiences. I did it with 12 other buys from my swim team. I was the only girl and initially it was very frightening with the looming fact that I was going to probably slow them down. Very soon into the challenge I realized that I could really do this and that I was running with 12 guys that I knew I could count on and trust to help me throughout the whole race. The Tough Mudder Pledge is the one thing that really struck me about the whole event. It goes: As a Tough Mudder I pledge that I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge. I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time. I do not whine-Kids whine. I help my fellow Mudders complete the course. I overcome all fear. Tough Mudder Video

That pledge really stuck with me throughout the whole "mudder." It was every emotion rolled into one. It was amazing, horrible, exciting, scary, fun and painful. The other people that were participating were fantastic. A lot of the obstacles required help from the people around you and they were always willing to assist. The teamwork and camaraderie was astounding. It really was an amazing experience and I would most definitely do it again. 

Check out the Tough Mudder Website

Dinosaur Train!

This week at St. Mary's we did a lab  with a "Dinosaur Train" theme. The locomotor skills that we were to be looking for were throwing and catching. We had some trouble in the beginning because the children we chose to observe left. Most of the children had a problem throwing with the opposite foot. We were in the Pre-K this week and it was a nice change from being with the older kids all the time. I went with my group member Nick into the one classroom and we read them a story about how large Dinosaurs were and the kids seemed to enjoy it. I had some trouble keeping the children's attention. We then went into the gymnasium to start playing games. I played my game first and it was Dinosaur egg tag. The kids had to run around and if they got tagged they had to get down on the ground in an egg shape.  The children seemed to enjoy it. Another good one in our group was a game where the kids had to throw balls over a mat. It helped them practice overhand throws and it was a nice challenge for them. Overall it was a successful lab.

Lab #4 Write-up 

CAST: Cortland Adaptive Swim Team



        CAST the the Cortland Adaptive Swim Team. It is located on the SUNY cortland Campus and is a

cross disability competitive swim team that trains and competes year round. The swim team is for swimmers with a disability; CAST teaches individuals with disabilities how to be safe in and around water with a future goal of becoming a competitive swimmer.      CAST is affiliated with USA Swimming and has a 1:1 coach to athlete ratio. Instructors are SUNY Cortland students with Adapted Physical Education, Special Education, or competitive swimming experience. I have personally worked with most of the swimmers on the team. We have all different levels of swimmers, some just "learn to swim" and some on the competitive level. At the moment we are testing out a diving program with two of our girls. I am mostly in the water with the kids, writing practices and swimming along with them. It is all about being comfortable and safe around the water. Improvement is the number one goal. Check out our Facebook page!