My students need The First Tee National School Program which provides a program designed to introduce students to golf, core values and healthy habits.
My classroom is not the "gym" class many of us remember from our youth. We spend the majority of our time moving and learning why movement is an important part of everyday life. No one is left out and students don't feel ashamed or afraid to participate in the movement activities.
I am fortunate to teach each of the nearly 600 students here in physical education class.
I tell people that I have the best job in the world. While I see children naturally enjoying movement experiences every day in my classroom, their daily movement continues to disappear as more and more appealing entertainment options become available. Today's children have more choices for their entertainment time than ever and it's hard to blame them when they choose to sit in front of a captivating screen instead of going outside to play. For most of us born before the digital explosion, the choice to move was much more of a "no brainer." Sit at home and watch soap operas or go outside with your friends and play. I wish it were still that easy for my students. In addition to the many choices they have, many of them are not permitted to go outside and play with friends due to safety concerns related to their communities. I want to get them moving in class.
My Project
For the majority of my students living in extreme poverty, the idea of playing a round of golf with a friend or getting quality golf instruction is simply out of the question. Having two daughters whose main sport is golf, I see firsthand how the game of golf positively impacts all who develop an appreciation for the positive personal and social values associated with the game. The National School Program is designed to be implemented as a part of our regular, in-school elementary physical education classes. This program provides us with a complete introductory golf program that is developmentally appropriate for our students. This program will engage students in daily lesson activities that lead to motor skill development and presents golf to students as a lifelong recreation and health-enhancing activity. Additionally, the Nine Core Values of this program are valuable teaching tools for all activities and life. Teaching my students these values is a valuable part of their education.
This project will give each of my students the opportunity to develop their skills as well as their interest in a game that they can enjoy for the rest of their lives.
The core values learned from this program will help them succeed in life and not just golf. I have seen how golf has positively impacted my two daughters and I know it will make a positive difference in the lives of my students. For many of my students this great game will likely open doors that would otherwise remained locked.
DonorsChoose is the most trusted classroom funding site for teachers.
As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Mr. Lydic and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.