Competition. Some say it's what made America great. Cooperation. It creates team players who make the world a better place. Which is best? Which should be emphasized in physical education classes? The Competition-Cooperation Link puts this debate to rest by explaining that neither competition nor cooperation is inherently good or bad; it's how you teach them that matters.
Daniel Midura and Donald Glover, who together have authored two highly popular team building books, reveal how you can teach your students to be good competitors and good teammates. Believing that competitive activities should only be part of the physical education curriculum, they explain how to put respect and cooperation into competition and clearly explain the role that team building plays in the physical education curriculum.
First, Midura and Glover introduce you to competition-cooperation theory, which supports the idea that competitive and cooperative activities are equally important within a child's physical activity experiences. Next, they provide concrete ways for integrating cooperative activities into your physical education classes. You'll learn how to
- create your own program using the cooperation-competition model;
- encourage positive, cooperative behavior in your students;
- make cooperative activities fun and challenging;
- determine which aspects of cooperation to focus on with different age groups;
- make teamwork and sportsmanship an everyday part of your program; and
- reinforce healthy attitudes and make your expectations clear.
The heart of the book is the activity section, which features detailed instructions for 30 games and activities that link cooperation and competition. This section features 6 activities designed to last 5 to 10 minutes, 12 activities expected to take 15 to 20 minutes, and 12 activities that require at least a full class period. All activities are fully explained and illustrated to show you how to set them up and carry them out effectively.
Prepare your students to successfully and responsibly face situations that require cooperation and competition. By doing this, you'll not only teach them to enjoy physical activity for the rest of their lives; you'll also prepare them to be successful in the workplace, enjoy personal relationships, and become good parents, coaches, and leaders later in life.
