Teacher Summer GAA Courses in Mary Immaculate College

Munster GAA is sponsoring two Teacher Summer Courses in Mary Immaculate College, Limerick from July 3rd to July 7th. The courses are aimed at Primary School Teachers who want to develop their capacities to teach Gaelic Games and Physical Education in the Primary School.

Course 1

Gaelic games in the primary school: a cross-curricular approach (blended)

Presenter: Richard Bowles, Joe Redington and tutors

Venue: MIC

Date: 3,4,5 July onsite with two online units (6, 7 July)

Max No: 25

Fee: €25

Click here to apply – closing date is Friday June 30th but places will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis until the course reaches capacity.

Curaclam na Bunscoile specifies that, ‘Gaelic games should be given particular consideration as part of the games programme.’ This course will develop teachers’ basic skills through activities, enabling teachers to apply same in primary school situation. All age groups will be included. There will be a focus on pedagogical issues relating to the games strand and on developing teachers’ understanding and appreciation of games and PE in general. Linkage with other areas of the curriculum will be explored, as will possibilities for integration with other curricular areas.

This course will enable teachers to:

adopt a sequential approach to skill development in Gaelic Games

promote an awareness of the importance of fundamental movement skills in all physical activity

develop their skills in adapting games to ensure the appropriate participation of all children through the use of modified games.

contribute to the inclusion of all children in PE activities (with regard to ability, gender, ethnicity, etc.)

take account of difference within classes and developing progressive programmes throughout the school

The course will pay address particular issues such as gender equity, curriculum integration and linkage within PE, and the role of Gaelic games within a healthy school environment. The course also addresses the needs of schools where coaches who are not primary teachers are employed during the school day to provide specific training in skill development. When allocating places, preference will be given to teachers who have not completed the course in previous years.

The course is funded by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Comhairle na Mumhan.

Course 2
Gaelic Games in the primary school: advanced course

Presenter: Joe Redington, Richard Bowles and guest tutors

Venue: MIC

Date: 3-7 July 2017

Max No: 25

Fee: €25

Click here to apply – closing date is Friday June 30th but places will be allocated on a first-come, first-serve basis until the course reaches capacity.

This is an advanced course in the teaching of Gaelic games as part of the Physical Education curriculum in primary schools. On successful completion of this course, participants will receive certification as a Level 1 Child Coach in hurling and Gaelic football as approved by Coaching Ireland. To enroll on the course, participants must have already completed a Foundation level coaching course.

The aims of the course are:

To promote the physical, social, emotional development of the child

To develop teacher competencies in inclusion, management of external personnel, and general planning

To examine opportunities for linkage within PE and integration with other subject areas

To foster positive attitudes towards PE and school sport

To develop strategies to ensure that school sport policy is in line with the aims of the PE curriculum

To assist teachers in implementing a programme that is developmentally appropriate for individual children

To examine the role of Gaelic games within the PE curriculum

Participants will take part in a series of master workshops where they will develop their own coaching skills through peer-teaching scenarios. A range of teaching methodologies will be explored: direct teaching / guided discovery etc. Internationally recognized concepts like Games Sense, Teaching Games for Understanding (TGfU) and Sport Education will also be addressed.

The course is funded by Cumann Lúthchleas Gael, Comhairle na Mumhan