An average day in PE at KR...does that exist? Coach Sheets and Coach Swegmen squeeze every moment out of their class time.
The students start class with a quick warm-up. The music is on, and all feet are moving in a swift jog around the gym a few times, followed by a huddle in the Tiger circle. Both Coaches take time to check on their class and see how their day is going. Next, they review the skills for this class. They break and all students scatter across the gym floor.
As performing a magic trick, with a flick of a wrist, hula hoops are sent straight towards each student. Starting the first challenge, can the student step into the suspended hula hoop while it is still spinning and standing up. The hula hoop event begins, pivoting hips, not back and forth. Every student is going at their pace and having a blast.
Next, four cones, one on each side of the gym, each of these cones are representing a food category. PE reinforces good eating habits that Sage sets for us with each lunch. The students are lined up, and then you hear "hot dog." The students start running to a cone and wait. "The reds are correct; a hot dog is in the red category; you should eat this in moderation." Next, you hear Coach Swegman yell, "Steamed peas," students start running. "This is a green category. You can eat all you want; this comes from the earth and is good for you." They continue through this week's menu to help the students make healthy choices at lunch.
Scooters were handed out, and the students wanted to break out. They started to use them as bumper scooters; then one began to kneel on their scooter. When working with children, the best teachers can switch a lesson plan mid-stream, and no one would ever know! In one swift move, you hear Coach Sheets' voice go to a whisper. "Shhh guys, come with me; here are your paddles." Pool noodles are passed out. "Who's coming with me? Let's go down the river and look for wildlife." Using the noodles, "Left, right, left, right; your stomach should be tight, oh wait, do you see that?" Now the noodle has become a telescope. "Do you see that? It's a red tail hawk; look at him soar through the sky. He is huge! Ok, let's keep going; we are going around the bend. What's that?" A student shouts out, "An owl." "Yes, I see it too," says his friend. Coach confirms, "Yes, I see him! Owls eat insects, they have enormous eyes, and they can almost turn their heads fully around."
In summary, our PE teachers taught and demonstrated so many life skills through play. In one class, the students worked as a team, practiced coordination, honed gross motor skills, and learned good eating habits. In another class, they went on a creative adventure and learned Christ-Like behaviors, adventure, and a nature lesson. Not to mention, what all they can do with a pool noodle!