When we think of sports like tennis, we tend to think of players who are members of the financially elite or privileged class. Court time is expensive. Good rackets are expensive. Fancy tennis clothes and sneakers are expensive. But good health needn't be expensive and that's an important lesson.
The students in my Title 1 elementary school come from many countries and speak dozens of languages and dialects, the majority of which are Chinese.
In fact, we have the largest number of registered elementary aged English Language Learners in our entire city. Each day, they come to school eager to learn and full of energy. As the physical education teacher, it is my job to show them the most effective ways of pursuing a life of good health and fitness...often at cost. I want them to know that sports can be fun and a way to get and stay healthy. I want them to learn that sports equipment needn't be expensive to be effective. Financial literacy in the area of health and fitness is crucial, so that they don't get sucked into the commercial sports equipment and apparel trap and spend money they don't really have on high end equipment they don't really need. After all, it's the athlete, not the equipment, that ultimately controls the effectiveness of the sports activity.
My Project
Tennis is a popular sport in the cultural circles that surround our school. With access to public courts and a decent economy racket, students can develop some basic tennis skill that will allow them to pursue the sport of tennis as a recreational way of exercising and developing healthy fitness habits. My students need 40 economy tennis rackets and storage bags to use at school and learn the basic swings and volleying techniques. As they find success with a low cost racket, we will discuss the value of investing in a higher end racket and at what point in their training, if any, they should choose to spend their money on more costly equipment and supplies. With so many economical choices that need to be made in this financially constrained climate, giving my students financial literacy lessons regarding purchasing decent sports equipment without being duped by advertising ploys seems like a pretty smart move.
By supporting this project, you will be purchasing 40 economy tennis rackets and storage bags and will be making an investment in the financial literacy education of my students.
"When we have match'd our rackets to these balls,
We will...play a set
Shall strike...(our ideas of commercialism and over spending) into the hazard." (Text adapted from Henry V, Act I, Scene 2)
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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 Mrs. Monte and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
