Elementary Model Programs
Power Glen Public School
Burlington, Ontario
Overview
At Power Glen, the intramural program is split up according to the three divisions:
Primary (Grades 1-3), Junior (Grades 4-6), and Intermediate (Grades 7-8).
Intramurals start the second week of school, and run straight through to June. We
usually run them three days a week, during morning recess, lunch hour, and
afternoon recess.
Our Phys. Ed. teachers run the program. At the beginning of the year, we coordinate
the yard duty schedule with the intramural schedule. For example, since I run
Intermediate intramurals during the lunch hour, my yard duties are during morning
or afternoon recesses.
Here is an example of the program – highlighting the intermediate division.
Intermediate Intramurals
We have three intermediate classes. I split all 92 students into five co-ed teams:
Blue, Red, Yellow, Orange, and Green. I put every student on a team rather than
having a sign-up sheet. (Students who didn’t sign-up for Intramurals in the Junior
grades weren’t likely going to sign-up in Grade 7 or 8). When they saw their name
on a team roster that was posted on the sports board and in their classrooms, they
felt they belonged to a team, and they came out. I also noticed some of our stronger
athletes encouraging people on their team to come out (especially since teams get
one point for every player that participates).
This year I have an average of 14 students out of 18 (two teams have 19)
participating for their team each day. That’s an average of over 76% of the
Intermediate population!
The games we play for Intramurals are chosen by the students. I teach all of the
intermediate Phys. Ed., so I can use a couple minutes during class to let the students
name a few games that we could play for the next round of Intramurals. Then I have
them vote on the games, and the game with the most votes between the three
classes is the one we play. That way I know they’ll participate because they chose
the game. Some of the games we have played this year include Bordenball, European
Handball, and Capture the Flag.
Supervision and Officiating
For our intermediate intramurals, I supervise all of the games, but I have
intermediate students (that are on a team that is not playing) officiate the games.
Referees get three points for their own team. For example, if Blue was playing Red,
and the referee was on Green, then that referee would earn three points for Green.
Other options: When I taught at a K-6 school, I ran the Junior Intramural program,
and I asked the Junior teachers to supervise the games once a week (one teacher
took Mondays, another took Tuesdays, etc.).
Below is the sign that I post on the Sports Board and in the classrooms at the
beginning of the year:
Intermediate House League
Organization and Rules
The House League is based on participation. Each team will receive one point for
each participant involved. Additional points are awarded as follows:
Win = 3 points
Tie = 2 points
Loss = 1 point
All team members will receive equal playing time. Referees will make sure of this.
To participate, proper gym clothes are necessary. Running shoes, shorts or track
pants, and t-shirts are mandatory in the gym.
Games will be posted in rooms and announced.
Games begin at 12:15 and end at 12:40.
Referees will be Grade 8 students, who pick up the House League binder and whistle
from Mr. Keyes. Referees are responsible for setting up the equipment in the gym.
Referees will also receive three points for their own team.
Only participants are allowed in the gym. No spectators.
Any students abusing the privileges of the House League system will be dismissed
from further play.
Teachers are encouraged to come out and watch the games and are asked to support
the House League system whenever and wherever possible.
Games begin September 12th.
Have fun!
Questions and Concerns
There are some questions I have to consider when setting up and running the
intramural program:
Do I make it mandatory that the students change into their phys ed clothes for
Intramurals?
Will there be enough time for changing if Intramurals are during recess?
When running Intramurals outside, can I use the soccer field exclusively for
Intramurals for the whole recess?
The answers to these questions differ from school to school. It’s a good idea to
involve your Principal when making decisions about the Intramural program, as
they can be an advocate and an ally.
Bryn Keyes