Lower School News PE Program Unique to Graland
Having physical education class every day is something most of our community accepts as normal. Teacher Bambi Mayo got a different view when she attended the National PE Institute conference last summer along with 300 instructors from elementary, middle and high schools across the U.S. “Other teachers talked about dealing with their programs being cut, how to share equipment with other schools and budget worries,” she explains. “I was almost afraid to speak up about our program in comparison.” Graland students are indeed lucky to have amazing facilities and six dedicated PE teachers, not to mention 30 minutes of daily activity. But Bambi didn’t attend the conference so Graland could rest on its laurels. She went for Bambi Mayo professional development -- to learn about the link between curriculum and assessment. “The kids are wonderful and they love PE,” she says. “I want to make sure our assessment of their skills means something to them and that we promote self esteem and an active lifestyle.” Since returning from the conference in North Carolina, Bambi has taken a new approach to teaching her students. “I now realize how important it is for the kids to know the objective of the lesson and what they’re being evaluated on so they can give their best effort,” she explains. “I have to be clear in giving directions and explain why we’re learning a certain skill, like throwing or catching, and why it is important.” Because they work with students from kindergarten to graduation, the PE team has the unique opportunity to form lasting bonds with students. In her 16 years at Graland, Bambi has seen many boys and girls grow and mature. “Alumni always come back to campus and want to see their coaches,” she says. “Between the six of us, we have decades of knowledge not just about physical development, but also social skills development. We focus on teaching sportsmanship, cooperation and teamwork, and we have a great connection with the kids.” Faculty Focus: In high school at Kent Denver, Bambi played field hockey, soccer and lacrosse. She went on to Skidmore College to play field hockey on the collegiate level. Today, she trains with weights, jogs and skis with her family, setting a good example of lifetime fitness for her students. u
Grade 2 Highlight: Biography Tea
The Peace Jam unit introduces the notion that there are people who have made positive contributions to society. These are the individuals that second graders are encouraged to study. Students are also Every May, a trumpet fanfare heralds the arrival of 72 influential people encouraged to select a person to study based upon their own interests to Graland’s campus. Gone are the 72 second graders who have and experiences. On a day in early February, while exploring diligently conducted a six-week research project, and in their a math website, MacCoy Weil discovered that Welsh place walk individuals ranging from Mother Teresa to Neil mathematician Robert Recorde first recorded the equals Armstrong to Rosa Parks. symbol in 1557, and mused, “I love math and I’m part Ask any Graland student about their second grade Welsh. Maybe I could study him for the Biography Tea.” highlight and undoubtedly they will say the Biography During the six-week project, students are taught th Tea. May 16 will mark the 15 anniversary of this research skills that culminate in a visual display of wonderful Graland tradition. As proud parents and their work in the form of a poster, and for many it’s a Thursday, May 16 eager students enter the Anschutz Commons on that lasting reminder of their work on the biography. day, they will learn facts, hear anecdotes and have 8:30-9:30 a.m. “My favorite part was making the poster,” says their questions answered, as each second grader Anschutz Commons current fourth grader Lola Barish. “It’s still on my takes on the persona of their chosen individual. bedroom wall.” Many new second graders will excitedly tell me at As Graland teachers, we are constantly looking for our Get-to-Know-You conferences in August, “I’m going to ways to develop our curriculum to provide students with be (insert name here) for the Biography Tea!” This enthusiasm essential 21st century skills. This year the second grade team continues throughout the year as class discussions often gravitate is excited to introduce a new technology component to the Biography toward possible choices, especially once the students begin studying Tea. Students will create a digital presentation to share with their the lives of Nobel Peace Prize laureates during the PeaceJam unit. classmates. By Justine Hall, Grade 2 teacher
15th Annual Biography Tea
6