My student's enthusiasm for physical activity is endless! I teach physical education to kindergarten through fifth grade students at a very large elementary school. Our student's opportunities and experiences outside of the school setting are very diverse. Some of our students are involved in organized sports and participate in numerous activities alongside their families, while many of our students have never had these opportunities. We also have some special needs classrooms whose students benefit from new, exciting experiences.
I discovered while questioning the students about their interests that many of them had never been to a bowling alley, or even rolled a ball to a set of pins in a modified setting. I decided to give my students this wonderful experience not only for the skills benefits, but as an opportunity to learn a lifelong activity they could enjoy with family and friends for years to come. I asked numerous local bowling alleys to donate old bowling pins and used my small budget to purchase some rubber bowling balls. These balls quickly started splitting in half and my students had to use regular balls with no finger holes to try to bowl with. My students LOVE bowling in groups in PE, but it is a challenge without the right equipment. Budget constraints keep me from giving my students the proper equipment needed.
Some of my students have become very good at the bowling technique but are held back by having to use a ball without finger and thumb holes. Some companies make durable indoor bowling balls that are made of one-piece construction and will never split in half. With this type of ball not only will they last from year to year for the students, but the kids will not be afraid to roll the ball in fear of them breaking as they were in the past. They will roll with gusto!
Your help will provide my students with the opportunity to learn an activity they can participate in with their peers, learning cooperative behaviors, and also carry on into their home lives for many years to come. Please give my students a chance to learn a healthy,lifelong activity.
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