Finding a little help through Mr. Gym

Thank you Mr. Gym. Yes, that's right, Mr. Gym. http://www.mrgym.com/ is a very wonderful website for Physical Education teachers. Founded by a gentlemen by the name of Doug Gates, mrgym.com provides vast number of resources for teachers. With the philosophy that gym is not an organized recess, Doug Gates started the website with the sole purpose of helping PE teachers and providing them with helpful hints or shortcuts they can take when it comes to budget.

Like any good teacher out there, I am in constant search of new ideas or sources to keep my class fresh. I for one do not like to do the same thing year after year after year. In reality, my students are more eager for new activities than I am. Some days you feel that you have do more to entertain them to get their attention and to learn. I have always had at least one good website that I would be able to relay on for new activities, but that website doesn't seem to be updated as frequently. Mr. Gym is a similar website but seems more down to earth at the same time. Doug does a very good job as far as relating personal stories that have happened to him to form a bond or connection to those who are on the website. To me the feeling is more of people having a conversation rather than you going to a website where someone is trying to sell you a product. The different resources that are provided are as follows;

• Games and Activities-various games and activities provided by Doug and other teachers


• National Standards-the National Standards for PE for each grade level, K-12


• Assessment-Presidental Fitness Test and other forms of fitness assessment


• Equipment-ways to get free equipment or to make your own


• Adapted P.E.-making your PE class so that those with special needs can participate


• Field Day-link to a t-shirt company on how to get cheap shirts for the event and different Field Day activities.



• Climbing Wall-how to build your climbing wall and how to get money to do so.

The resources that are listed on this website are easy to follow and to navigate. Also provided is a section that is set aside for teachers to have an open question and answer format. Not only does Doug give answers so do other teachers from across the U.S. Like I mentioned prior, I am always looking for new ways to get my students involved in class and to take an interest in PE. The next two pieces of equipment really caught my attention. Each is provided with a link to their websites to further explain the product and how to order it. The first is the Trikke. At a first glance of the website, I thought it was providing information for a motorized cart. Upon further review, I was able to see that they also provided ones that were manual. Information is provided on the muscles that are being used and how many calories that you could burn by using the Trikke. I want one!! Well, I would have to get more than one otherwise I could have some students who are upset at me. Take a look for yourselves. http://www.trikke.com/st01/home.html

The second website link that I really like is an activity called Skillastic. It's a very simple game that gets students moving and covers many of the areas in which I think that our students today need help in; sportsmanship, cooperative skills, teamwork, team building, honesty, caring and respect. Essentially it's a board game that gets them up and moving.

http://www.skillastics.com/

Mr. Gym has provided me with many things that I will use in the future. I am very happy that I was able to come across this website and look forward to going through all the various other websites that it provides.