Physical activity and preventing anti-social behavior

Sandford, R. A., Duncombe, R., & Armour, K. M. (2008). The role of physical activity/sport in tackling youth disaffection and anti-social behaviour. Educational Review, 60(4), 419-435. doi:10.1080/00131910802393464

This article was written to highlight and summarize research findings from studies which looked at the link between physical activity programs and improving student behavior.  The article states that it is fairly obvious that many governments have put faith in the ability of physical activity programs on preventing youth delinquency and anti-social behavior, however the reasons why such programs work has not been extensively studied.  Studies such as HSBC/Outward Bound and Sky Living for Sport are highlighted, both of which examined physical activity interventions and both of which demonstrated short-term and long-term improvements in student behavior.  The article suggests that it is the processes within these programs such as teaching personal responsibility that make the biggest impact on preventing anti-social behavior.

It's TPACK, Jack!

Here is a VT explaining how to use TPACK for integrating technology into your lessons to make them as awesome as possible.

Annotated Bibliography: Physical Activity for Urban Students

Physical Activity Programs for Underserved Youth

Hellison, D. (2000). Physical activity programs for underserved youth. Journal of Science and

Medicine in Sport 3 (3): 238-242.

This article briefly summarizes the lack of opportunities there are for “undeserved” youth in urban environments to participate in organized physical activity programs.  The scarcity of youth physical activity programs leads to more time spent unsupervised for youth who already lack supervision.  The author describes the current efforts being made to increase programs such as Soccer in the Streets and Midnight Basketball.  These programs are effective in decreasing crime rates and boosting academic performance but are not especially tailored to meet the learning styles of most undeserved youth.  The author briefly explains his Social and Personal Responsibility Model (RM) that he designed for urban physical education, and how to apply it to urban physical activity programs to make them more effective for undeserved youth.

Annotated Bibliography: Sports and Delinquency

SPORT AND DELINQUENCY: EFFECTS OF PARTICIPATION IN SPORT ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ADOLESCENT ANTISOCIAL AND DELINQUENT BEHAVIOUR

Rapagna, P. (1996). Sport and delinquency: effect of participation in sport on the development of antisocial adolescent and delinquent behavior. Informally published manuscript, Department of Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec. Retrieved from http://digitool.Library.McGill.CA:80/R/-?func=dbin-jump-full&object_id=26756&silo_library=GEN01');

This manuscript described a longitudinal study that was performed on a large sample of students from age 11 to age 17.  The study tracked their level of participation in sports and their tendency towards delinquent behaviors.  The hypothesis for the study was that there is a relationship between level of participation in sport and degree of delinquency.  The study found that general participation in sports during the adolescent years does not necessarily lead to lower levels of delinquency.  However, for students who increased their level of participation in sports over their adolescent years, there was almost always a marked decrease in delinquent behavior.  This study can be used as a rationale for increasing youth physical activity programs in urban environments.

UbD Stage 1: FITNESSGRAM

Youth Subcultures: "420"

For people who advocate for the legalization of non-medical cannabis, April 20th (4/20) has been an important date for quite some time now.  People gather in places around the world (mainly college campuses) to smoke pot on this date, at 4:20 in the afternoon.  The term "420" has actually evolved beyond just a date and a time; it is now used to describe this particular subculture.  Youth who say that they are "420" are saying that they are avid cannabis users and implying that they are also advocates for legalizing the substance.

Google Map- Dodge Renaissance Academy

My first attempt at a Google Map for Dodge Academy.  I outlined approximately 1 sq. mile around the school and marked off parks, churches, grocery stores, and other schools in the area.

Dodge Renaissance Academy Map

Social Situation- Cardinal Fitness

I chose to observe a social setting at my local health club, Cardinal Fitness in West Chicago.  I have been working out at this particular club for over six years now, since they first opened.  I was also an employee there until just recently, so I have had countless opportunities to observe some pretty interesting social situations.

The "place" that I chose to observe was the freeweight area of the gym.  I find this area of the gym most interesting because it seems like it's the only area of the gym where people (mostly young males) are actually trying to gain weight as opposed to lose weight- very different goals.  This place is always messy- the staff tries their best to keep it neat and organized.  They post signs all over the place reminding people to re-rack their weights.  But they simply can't keep up with the endless swarm of men (I am going to be sexist here because I rarely see women in this part of the gym) who forget pick up after themselves.

The "actors" in this place are the members of the gym.  The members all have their own fitness goals and are very focused on accomplishing them.  Most of the members in the freeweight area are trying to either gain weight or gain strength.  They are focused on their goals, but at the same time many of them are focused on something else: themselves.  They are constantly aware of the image they are putting out.  My observation focused on two young males who looked to be in their later high school years.  They both wore t-shirts with the sleeves cut off.  One of them was clearly playing the "teacher" role- he had a much more impressive physique and was lifting much heavier weight than his comrade.  He also chose to cut off a lot more than just his sleeves- his t-shirt was shredded into little more than just a poncho.  His hair was perfectly gelled and he looked like he had just climbed out of a tanning bed.  He looked like he put a lot of thought into his appearance for that day.

The "activities" in this place are weightlifting exercises.  What I found very interesting about these two young males is that they invented their own very elaborate exercises.  Instead of performing a decline bench press on the decline bench that was built for that purpose, they chose to drag dumbbells over to a makeshift decline bench and invent their own version of the exercise.  They also dragged another bench all the way to the cable pulleys in order to invent their own form of a flye exercise.  The mastermind behind these exercises was the boy with the gelled hair- he clearly wanted everyone to know that he had a plan in mind and he knew what he was doing.  Every so often I would catch him glancing up and down at himself in the mirror.

Overall, this was an interesting observation.  Honestly, I've seen much more interesting things take place in this gym.  I was actually disappointed that none of the usual characters were there on this particular day and I had to settle for these two.