What is EBC?
EBC stands for Everybody Counts. This means no exclusive behaviour, and valuing others for what they CAN do, not for what they can’t. In our class, since EBC has been introduced, everyone has been more confident and inclusive.
EBC has changed how we do PE, less people are standing around and more people are getting involved. Also there are fewer arguments around getting turns.
Everyone in our class thinks the more inclusive the game is, the more fun we will have playing it.
The TREE model – as used by the Halberg Trust
Our class uses a technique called the TREE model. This is a way to change a game so that people with different skill levels are involved and everyone experiences success. This includes people with learning and physical disabilities.
The “T” in TREE stands for Teaching Style – the way we teach the game, for example, a diagram, show and tell, explanation.
The “R” stands for Rules – making sure everyone knows how to play so that nobody gets hurt or in an argument. Rules could be things like: no contact, no hands on the ball, a metre back etc.
The first “E” stands for Equipment – what you require to play the game so that you can set it up properly.
The second “E” stands for Environment – what is the best suited environment for the game for example: The field, the tennis court, swimming pool etc.
How to use the TREE model
1. Select a game
There are different game types to choose from. Striking/fielding games are games like cricket and softball. Target games are games such as netball and basketball. Invasion games are games like football and hockey. The last game type is net/wall games; these are games such as tennis and squash.
2. Break the game down into skills
Once you have selected your game, break it down into skills.
To demonstrate how to do this, we have chosen the games of Rippa Rugby and Ultimate Frisbee.
The skills for Rippa Rugby are: running, defending, stepping, thinking/strategising, dodging, catching and ripping.
The skills for Ultimate Frisbee are:
Catching, intercepting, aiming, using a correct Frisbee throw and running.
Keep in mind that you don’t have to use all of your listed skills.
3. Create your game
Now it’s time to create your game. Figure out what type of game it is and make sure you keep it the same type.
Our game is called: ________ the type of game must stay invasion, because we based it on an invasion game – ultimate Frisbee.
TEACHING STYLE: for our teaching style we chose to use a diagram and step- by-step instructions.
RULES: The rules of our game are:
- No physical contact
- Only 4 people at a time in the goal (2 from each team)
- 5 steps with the Frisbee
- Don’t pass back to the person who just threw it to you
- 7 aside, all of your team must touch the Frisbee before a goal can be scored
- Drop the Frisbee and handover – also start counting passes again
- Stay in coned boundaries
- You can’t hand pass, only throw
- Stay a metre back from the person with the Frisbee
- Have fun!
EQUIPMENT: for equipment we are using; cones to mark boundaries and goals, and a Frisbee. The Frisbee should be in the middle of the soccer/rugby field. Four cones in the corners of the field and two cones a couple of steps back, in line with the rugby/soccer posts on each side.
ENVIRONMENT: For our environment we chose the soccer field but this can be changed. Now to get out there and do it!
EBC is the way we treat each other, work together and the way we play sport. If there is a problem, sit down and talk about it with your class, change things and have another go. Everybody Counts … it’s just the way we do things around here!
This learning has evolved from a TRLI research project called Every-body counts: Understanding HPE in primary schools, involving primary school teachers (Jo Naera, Joel Devcich, Deirdre Duggan, and Shane Keown) and university partners (Kirsten Petrie, Lisette Burrows and Marg Cosgriff). This project was made possible with the support of the Teaching, Learning and Research Initiative funding; the Wilf Malcom Institute of Educational Research; and students, staff and school communities. For more information on the project and access to future publications see http://www.tlri.org.nz/tlri- research/research-progress/school-sector/every- body-counts-understanding-health-and-physical or contact Dr Kirsten Petrie, Project Director, kpetrie@waikato.ac.nz.
