Promoting fun, active participation for all!

What’s INPUOCT TOBER 2011 INSIDE Fun For All FUN-FOR-ALL Exercise Optimizing Brain Function Octoberfest Ideas What Level is This Game For CHALLENGE Picking Fair Teams Follow us on Twitter Intramurals and Supporting Various Great Causes Win $750 For Your School Want to Serve on the CIRA Ontario Board? CIRA Ontario Ambassadors HERE’S HOW... CIRA Ontario's April 2012 Conference DOWNLOAD the registration form at www.ciraontario.com/ehr/page/challenges . EMAIL [email protected] indicating that you are participating. s ’ t a HOST a fun, active event, for as many students as possible. h

W UP! VIDEO TAPE the excitement and WRITE a 1-2 page report that describes the activity. SUBMIT your edited 45-75 second video clip of the activity, along with your report and the submission form to CIRA Ontario by 15 November 2011. "Use your brain." I guess we have all used this phrase at one or another. PRIZES The first article in this INPUT shows First ($750) and Second ($250) place prizes how physical activity actually helps will be given for each of the following categories: participants to use their brain better. • Grade /Middle School (K-8) • High School (9-12) • Post-Secondary Then we put our brain to work to provide different ideas to help you. EVALUATION CRITERIA • 30% fun factor • 30% activity level • 40% percentage of school involved One “no-brainer” is entering our upcoming Fun For All challenge by NOTE: November 15 and making your school All activity descriptions will be compiled and posted as a free download eligible to win $750 – different prizes on the CIRA Ontario website. for elementary, high school, and post- secondary institutions). See the Entries should be submitted by email to [email protected] or by mail to: CIRA Ontario, 790 Shaver Road, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3K9 following article for more details. * * * Deadline for submissions is 15 November 2011. Mailed entries must be postmarked no later than 15 November 2011.

* * * 1 EXERCISE OPTIMIZING BRAIN FUNCTION

"Emerging research shows that physical activity sparks biological changes that encourage brain cells to bind to one another. For the brain to learn, these connections must be made; they reflect the brain’s funda- mental ability to adapt to challenges. The more neuroscientists discover about this process, the clearer it becomes that exercise provides an unparalleled stimulus, creating an environment in which the brain is ready, willing, and able to learn." Exercise is the single most powerful tool you have to optimize your brain function. Sparking Life is on a mission to transform America’s sedentary lifestyle. To bring movement back into our lives – to improve our children’s learning capacity, to reduce the negative effects of stress, to manage mental health issues such as ADD, anxiety, depression, and to maintain our cognitive abilities as we age. We all know that exercise makes us feel better, but most of us have no idea why. We assume it’s because we’re burning off stress or reducing muscle tension or boosting endorphins, and we leave it at that. But the real reason we feel so good when we get our blood pumping is that it makes the brain function at its best. In today’s technology-driven plasma-screened-in world, it’s easy to forget that we are born movers – animals, in fact – because we’ve engineered movement right out of our lives. As we adapted to an ever-changing environment over the past half million years, our thinking brain evolved from the need to hone motor skills. In order to survive over the long haul the hunter- gatherer ancestors had to use their smarts to find and store food. Relationship between food, physical activity, and learning is hardwired into the brain’s circuitry. Sedentary character of modern life is a disruption of our nature, and it poses one of the biggest threats to our continued survival. Our culture treats the mind and body as if they are separate entities. However what neuroscientists have discovered in the past five years alone paints a riveting picture of the biological relationship between the body, the brain, and the mind. To keep our brains at peak performance, our bodies need to work hard. Science of exercise cues the building blocks of learning in the brain; affects mood, anxiety, and attention; guards against stress and reverses some of the effects of aging in the brain; and in women can help stave off the sometimes tumultuous effects of hormonal changes. If you had half an hour of exercise this morning, you’re in the right frame of mind to sit still and focus on the copy on this page, and your brain is far more equipped to remember it. For more information go to: sparkinglife.org 2 One World Indestruct-a-Ball The Ball That Never Goes Flat or Never Needs a Pump



  lief supplies arrived, children gathered, and one of their most common requests was for . . . VRFFHUEDOOV +RZHYHU ZKHQ DLG ZRUNHUV SURYLGHG VWDQGDUG LQÁDWHG VRFFHU EDOOV WKH\ IRXQG WKDW WKH\TXLFNO\ ZHQW ÁDW³XVXDOO\ ZLWKLQ D GD\ One World IIndestruct-a-ballsndestruct-a-balls KDYHEHHQ GHOLYHUHG WR QXPHURXV SURMHFWV LQ +DLWL³DV ZHOO DV  other countries around the world. In all these places, it is helping VXVWDLQSOD\ DQG WKH PXOWLSOH EHQHÀWV SOD\ SURYLGHV

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3 What level is this game for?

AS CIRA PRESENTERS , one of the most frequent questions we receive is a simple question that conjures up many emotions among our executive. “ What level is this game for ?” If you have ever attended our workshops you may have heard a common analogy about Goldilocks and the Three Bears. In this common children’s story Goldilocks is so focused on perfection that she only had the porridge that was just right. With a little ingenuity and creativity, she could have had all three bowls, instead of one. Heating up the cold bowl and cooling down the hot bowl, would have given her three bowls of porridge. Games are similar because you can spice up any game to make it suitable for your level or tone it up or down to create a plethora of material. The lesson here is that games may appear to be designed for a specific grade level, but with a little tweaking can be used at any level. Here are a few examples:

Making a game more difficult is usually easy. For example, “Duck, Duck, Goose” is a common game that is used by primary teachers everywhere and loved by younger children. In this game, players sit in a circle and one player walks the outside touching each head and saying duck each time. When the player says goose, that player gets up and races the tagging player around the circle. A simple variation has the player on the outside of the circle using a sponge with water. Instead of touching heads, the player drips a drop of water on heads until they want to race someone. The D

r i game is referred to as “Drip, Drip, Drop.” At this point, the p , player drops the sponge on their head and the race begins. It D

r i can also be made more difficult by turning it into a fitness p ,

D activity. Players in the circle get into the “plank” position with feet

r o towards the inside and head facing out. Players still tap p heads and all players will develop their core strength. This variation is called “Plank,Plank, Thank” ...you for letting me get out of this plank position.

Simplifying games is a little more difficult. “ ” is a difficult game that is best described as a game where you can only contact P the ball using your legs or feet. The net lank , Plan is about the same height as k, Th ank badminton net and is often played in sand. An easy simplification is to use a large ball that has more air time. A beach ball works very well. The game can be further simplified by lowering or eliminating the net. Finally, you can increase the numbers on each team and have players lie on their back with feet in the air. With these raw basic cool downs a very difficult game can Tak ak be played by younger players. Sep 4 IDEAS

Pass the Pumpkin Pass the pumpkin is similar to Hot Potato and can be played using polka music to keep the German feel to a school Oktoberfest game. The children sit in a circle and pass a pumpkin around the circle. When the music stops, the person left holding the pumpkin is out if the game. The winner is the last student left in the game when it ends.

Pumpkin Penny Toss A pumpkin will need to be carved out to play this game. Place the carved pumpkin an appropriate length away from the students. Each student gets a handful of pennies. The students will take turns trying to toss the pennies into the carved out pumpkin. Barrel Race A barrel race can be done with wooden barrels, plastic barrels or even decorated trash cans. The students will divide up into teams and then the teams will separate into two groups that stand across from each other. The first student will roll the barrel across to where their team mates are standing to pass it off to one of them. This continues until each student on one team has rolled the barrel to the opposite side. The first team to finish the race wins

Keg Keg bowling is done by setting up five or ten pins using bowling pins or similiar items. Students will roll kegs (large round ABS tubes work well) at the pins in attempt to knock them all down. Score can be kept the same manner as regular bowling.

Chicken Dance with the Stars Students sign up to dance with "stars" made up of leadership students or teachers. Pairs will try to be creative and present their chicken dance to win the title. This makes a great assembly.

5 INTRAMURALS AND SUPPORTING VARIOUS GREAT CAUSES by Shayla Messenger

The CIRA Intramural Award recognizes schools with intramural success. Over fifty schools submitted an application for this award, in which they summarized the achievements and highlights of their intramural programs. Many of these programs found ways to combine the activities of intramurals with charities or with larger issues. In this way, students benefit from an active lifestyle while also contributing to and learning about a worthy cause. The following schools mentioned events that were related to specific causes: Laurentian University – We have combined our Cardboard Boat race with a food and silver collection to benefit our student food bank and the city food bank. Christ the King – The students in Grade 7 and 8 expressed a concern over the number of students exposed to drugs in the community. After reviewing we decided to implement the High on Life program, an activity based program where students learn life long skills to advocate for themselves. Credit Valley Public School – Newcomb ball games (an adapted version of Volleyball) were held with a number of staff members and grade 3 students. Students and staff were asked to submit a loonie or toonie as an entry fee. All money was donated to the United Way. St. Joseph Catholic High School – In partnership with the Ontario Heart and Stroke Foundation, we hosted a Hoops for Hearts event to raise money for this worthwhile organization and to earn points to purchase sports equipment for our school. Each student pledged a minimum of 20 dollars to participate in the tournament. Immaculata High School – Have a Hoops for Haiti where we invited alumni to play against current Sr. and Jr. teams. This drew 300 students to the gym. They all brought two dollars and clothing items for Haiti. University of Windsor – Each year the Intramural program organizes its Annual Charity tournament. Teams register for the tournament for a nominal fee and all proceeds that are raised go to a local charity. St. Agnes – We have a student social justice club. Students create fundraising opportunities for the school. This includes Mission Day, where money was raised to build a school in Kenya; The Giving Tree, where hats and mittens were donated for a safe house for abused mothers and children; and other events, such as school dances and bake sales. Multiple schools also mentioned game days or running 'marathons' in which they raised money for the Terry Fox Foundation. The unification of issues and intramurals, provides students with an opportunity to be educated in various ways. Not only do they learn about healthy lifestyle practices, but they also are exposed to various causes, whether they are international troubles, or those within their own community. The combination of issues and intramurals is a good learning experience, and is important to consider when creating events. 6 INTRODUCING... CIRA Ontario Board Member Anna Bishop-Gaylord

When you call or email the CIRA Ontario office you will most likely connect with Anna Bishop. She does great work for us!

My name is Anna Bishop-Gaylord, and I am the Office Administrator for this awesome organization. I am a Business Administration graduate, as well as a certified Resist-a-Ball instructor, spinning instructor and Can Fit Pro fitness instructor. My greatest achievement though is being a mom to five great kids and a wife to my supportive husband Jeff! I have the perfect job encompassing two very important values to me: children and promoting active lifestyles. I have always been physically active and believe "if you don't use it, you will loose it" so find something you love to do and keep moving.

We’ll feature another CIRA Ontario Executive Member in our next issue of INPUT

Another Dodgeball Game... “SPIDER MONKEY”

“Spider Monkey” is a new variation of dodge ball that can be played at any level. There are no teams and no sides. Players simply move about the court trying to eliminate other players by hitting them with a ball. Once eliminated, you sit or kneel on the ground. You get back in the game by picking up a stray ball and hitting players still in the game. The spider monkey part comes in by passing the ball from eliminated player to eliminated player. As long as the ball is not dropped and assuming the ball hits a player in the game, all the players that passed the ball around are also free to return to the game.

7 PICKING

CIRA Ontario is just four away from 100 followers on Twitter. Help us go FAIR TEAMS over 100 and follow us today! A few of our most recent tweets Physical Education teachers and leaders of children often find themselves in include : a position to create two teams from a group of players. Unfortunately, the process for completing this task has gone wrong in many gymnasiums and on many fields. The result has been students that are scarred for a long time Six alternatives to withholding and teams that create many difficulties. recess as punishment http://www.playworks.org/blog/six- I will start with the methods that have created problems and why. These alternatives-withholding-recess-puni methods of selection should disappear from everyone’s repertoire. shment 1. Boys against – This separation segregates players by gender and simply creates difficult scenarios. 2. Two captains selecting – Players often pick friends and better players while leaving someone to be picked last. 3. Friends together – Players often socialize instead of playing. 4. Good players together – This simply leaves the lesser skilled players for one team and creates a situation where one team gets destroyed. High School Sport, Strength 5. Unequal teams – Having more players on one team than the other Training for Young Athletes. .. does not allow development of team strategies. see SIRC Newsletter. http://www.sirc.ca/newsletters/sept1 1/index.html Instead, we should use methods that allow for quick team selection and even teams. 1. Numbering – line students up and number them 1,2,1,2 etc. Ones are playing against twos. Tell students not to arrange themselves to predetermine numbers. 2. Split genders – If there are 4 boys and 6 girls, simply split them evenly. 3. Partner up – Find a partner of equal skill and separate them onto teams. a. Rock ,Paper, Scissors Girls and Concussions b. Thumb War http://www.cbc.ca/news/health/stor c. Create two lines y/2011/10/03/f-concussion-girls- d. Longest/shortest hair .html?cmp=rss

Teach your students how to create these teams on their own and fairly. Using this as a simple lesson will help eliminate many problems throughout the year.

>>> 8 Want to Serve on the Getting kids active reduces bullying CIRA Ontario Board? http://www.austindailyherald.com/20 11/09/16/austin-schools-getting-kids- active-reduces-bullying/ This is a CIRA Ontario election year. If you would like to join this amazing organization in a leadership capacity please complete the application form by 10 January 2012. The term you are selected for is three years in length. ThinkFirst – an organization dedicated to the prevention of brain Our plan is to expand the board from 7 members to 11 members as and spinal cord injuries. View follows: interesting web site: http://www.thinkfirst.ca/index.aspx Pre-School (1 needed) Elementary (3 needed) High School (2 needed) Post Secondary (1 needed) Recreation (1 needed) Health (1 needed) At Large (2 needed)

If elected, your responsibilities will include: • Generally supporting, developing, and promoting the work of CIRA Ontario in its mission of promoting fun active Rock, Paper, Scissors against a NY computer participation for all. (Veteran or Expert) • Attending approximately 4-5 Saturday meetings per year. Includes explanations of the computer's choices • Assisting and leading intramural workshops as you are able. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/s • Assist with, or contribute to, the writing of awesome active cience/rock-paper-scissors.html resources as you are able.

CIRA Ontario's commitment to you: • Generally support you in your personal and professional development. • Pay for expenses incurred when attending meetings or some related CIRA Ontario events. • Pay you an honorarium for leading workshops, writing, or doing other over-and-above type activities that benefit the work of CIRA Ontario.

The application form is located at: http://www.ciraontario.com/ehr/page/contact_us

9 Help Serve the Elementary and High School Intramural Community by becoming a CIRA Ontario Ambassador

CIRA Ontario, in keeping with its focus of being a grass routes organization, is seeking Ambassadors to help us get our messages out and to help us stay connected with the broader community. We are looking for such people in all of the school boards in Ontario and a few people beyond those borders. If you are interested please complete the requested information on the downloadable form found at www.ciraontario.com/ehr/page/ambassadors Ambassador’s responsibilities to CIRA Ontario: 1. Help CIRA Ontario distribute important information throughout your board about new initiatives, conferences, or other significant opportunities. 2. Give CIRA Ontario advice from time-to-time on questions we have. 3. The commitment is for approximately a three-year term.

CIRA Ontario’s responsibilities to the Ambassadors: 1. Assist you with any questions you have. 2. Provide you one free CIRA Ontario resource per year. 3. Provide you 12 months of complimentary membership to CIRA Ontario.

eMail form to [email protected] or fax it in to 905-648-2226.

10 FOLLOW E H

T LEADER Intramural Recreation Conference Friday & Saturday, April 27 & 28, 2012 London Convention Centre

$45 Annual CIRA Ontario Membership (all attendees must be members) $100 Saturday Attendance $145 Full Conference Registration prices will increase $25 after 28 February 2012. Accommodations are not included in the Registration price.

CIRA Ontario Accommodations at the London Hilton Hotel Executive Board (we have blocked off rooms so please indicate that you are with CIRA Ontario when booking your room – one to four people per room) John Byl – President Wig Baldauf 1-519-439-1661 Alf Grigg www1.hilton.com/en_US/hi/hotel/YXULOHF-Hilton-London- Josh Leeman Ontario-Ontario/index.do Andy Raithby Kirstin Schwass Chris Wilson Anna Bishop If you are interested in presenting, Office Administrator or have any suggestions for the 2012 conference, please email us at [email protected]

www.ciraontario.com Phone/Fax: 905-648-2226 email: [email protected] 790 Shaver Road, Ancaster, Ontario L9G 3K9 © CIRA Ontario, 2011 11