EJR physical education teacher Chris Curnan recently had an eager group of second graders discussing bones and muscles and basketball! He and fellow EJR physical education teacher Barbara Hostetter have a bone and muscle of the month that the students learn about.
The kids learn where in the body the bone and muscle are located and what they do. For example, the hamstring and radius bone are the topics for December. Coach Curnan pointed to his forearm and the students knew both the radius and the ulna bones and where they were. He pointed to his leg and the students knew that the quadricep was in the front of the thigh and the hamstring is in the back. They even knew to do squats and reverse lunges to strengthen the hamstrings!
The current unit they are covering includes the rules of basketball. Hands went up in a flash when Coach Curnan asked “How does a basketball game begin?” “With a tip off,” replied one student. They knew there are five players on the floor from each team at all times, the lines marking three-point shots and foul shots, and the rules about traveling and double dribble. The three options they have when they stop dribbling the ball? Pivot, shoot and pass! Then they practiced their dribbling while walking. Fun while learning!
