ussg News Board |
2006
Membership Renewal and Registration are OPEN!
ussg
members can now renew for the New Year. The ussg
is offering more choices for membership and insurance than ever before.
To check out registration information go to
www.unitedskateschools.org/Exam.html
Still
need a CEC?
What an involved and motivated group of
members we have! The CEC forms have been impressive. So far the record
is 12
credits held by Steve Larios of Tennessee. Way to go Steve!
If you still need to earn CEC points toward your 2005 requirement you can submit an article or picture for our e-newsletter and website. A total of only 2 CEC points are needed prior to your 2006 renewal and remember that you have already earned 1 CEC this year by taking the IE-Q or IE. For the complete list and the required form go to www.unitedskateschools.org/CECs.html
IEP -
Instructor Examination Programs
The USSG is holding instructor examination
programs for new candidates in Seattle, Los Angeles, Boston, DC and more.
For details and registration go to unitedskateschools.org/ExamIEnew.html
Congratulations!
Another Baby! This time it's a boy!
Former IISA examiner Tim Temple and wife Tai welcomed their first child,
Michael Scott on November 11th.
Kids Corner
Contributed by ussg Skate Education Specialist Kathy
McSparran
katimac@cox.net
Inline Skate School of Phoenix
Keep them moving: Choose class arrangements and exercises that allow all the kids to skate at once whenever possible and find ways to keep everyone actively involved while waiting for their turn to skate. For example, change a relay race to an "Olympic Torch Relay" where they pass the torch or baton from the back of the line to the front as fast as possible between skaters' turns. Pretend you forgot your stopwatch and have them be your helpers by counting "One-one thousand, two-one thousand, etc." while each kid takes their turn through the obstacle course.
Build
self esteem: Even when teaching beginner skills like standing, encourage
them with lots of "Wow!" "Great!" "You guys are my best class ever!" "Do
you know how many grown-ups can't do that?!" Note: making a big deal out
of standing up at the beginning allows you to quickly restore self esteem
after a fall later. Select simple skills and drills that will guarantee
success yet act surprised that they can do everything so well and they
will feel they have exceeded your expectations. For example, a jump is
a simple skill that most kids can learn, and it will be easy for you to
act impressed since in fact this is a skill most adult beginners wouldn't
even dream of attempting.
Use lots of progressions to help them develop the
balance and coordination they will need to succeed. Be sensitive to the
feelings of the least skilled skaters in the group. Compliment them on
any improvements they make over their earlier attempts to take their focus
off comparing themselves to the other skaters. If they say they don't
want to participate in the group activity, don't force them. Rather, ask
them to be your assistant and occasionally give them some skating practice
by asking them to skate and get your clipboard, water bottle, etc.
Use props: Props add fun and excitement to your lessons. Use a broomstick for limbo, an upside down cone for the Olympic torch, pool noodles to step or jump over, cardboard boxes to build a tunnel, and hula hoops can be lily pads for little frogs to skate to and rest on. Check the post-Halloween closeout sales for angel or butterfly wings, hats they can wear on top of their helmets, etc. Use sidewalk chalk and draw a stream for them to jump over, or a wide river with a narrow bridge they have to "skate skinny" across. Have them draw fish or sharks in the "water" during a break. Props are also very effective teaching aids and can dramatically reduce the amount of explanation you have to give when teaching a new skill. Ex. When teaching swizzles, first have them skate and then glide toward a single cone and make "fat feet" to go over the cone. Next add a pair of side by side cones just beyond the first single cone. Have them make "fat feet" over the first cone and then "skinny feet" between the pair of cones. Add cones alternating singles and pairs until they are doing a whole line of swizzles. The cones will guide their feet and you won't have to explain a thing! Thanks Kathy!
Got
Blurb?
Let
us know! We'd love to share your news. Send to members@unitedskateschools.org
Our
Inaugural Education Conference was Saturday, October 15th in conjunction
with the Long Beach International Marathon Expo. 
Attendees
who participated shared their ideas, passion and vision in a variety of
creative brainstorming sessions. The
consensus from the day was that industry leadership is one objective,
but our history has created a culture that has never died. The
attendees created wonderful energy at the conference that is sure to spill
over and continue to flow into their own communities. We are already planning
the 2006 conference and the date and location will be posted soon.
The
Seattle IEP, hosted by Skate Education Specialist Trish Alexander, proved
to be a great success with the ussg certification
of five
new instructors while the Los Angeles Program brought one more
instructor on board. Congratulations to the new class!
2006
Membership and insurance renewals are now open for current and new ussg
members. We have added more choices so that you may find a membership
level with the combination of benefits that best suits your needs. Members
can choose from the Instructor, Skate School or Associate Levels. The
Instructor and Skate School level memberships offer many new insurance
options. You can choose from the regular instructor incidental insurance
or commercial insurance, you can even purchase your own policy separate
from the group or choose to go without.