CSC, elementary students benefit from PE partnership

Thirty-two students from Alpha Elementary are dropped off every Tuesday and Thursday from Sept. 10 to Nov. 12 to spend an hour with Chadron State students who are majoring in Physical Education. The Alpha students range from kindergarten to eighth grade. Students at CSC each develop a lesson plan and put that plan into action with the Alpha students.

Dawn Brammer, the Chadron State instructor who oversees the project, said the No. 1 goal is to get students comfortable with running their own lesson.

“They need to be able to think on their feet. This is a controlled environment yet they have the freedom to teach the lesson and skills that they want,” she said.

Ryan Akers, a senior from Newcastle, Wyo., believes the opportunity has benefited him by giving him first-hand experience before entering his own classroom.

“One thing I learned is how kids react to different teachers and lessons,” he said.

Throughout the education program at Chadron State, students are given the opportunity to learn how to use different types of teaching methods, but experiences like these allow for a more real-life approach to learning.

“I have really learned the importance of physical activity and how to teach different individuals at different levels. I will also take into the classroom with me the creative lessons from other student teachers,” said Amanda Scott, a senior from Colorado.

The students attending Alpha Elementary also are benefiting greatly from this experience. Melissa Schmid, the lower grades teacher at the school, believes the opportunity is a mutually satisfying experience and provides a great fitness activity for the children.

Mikel Landreth, who teaches the middle grade at Alpha, commented on the college’s facilities and other resources.

“CSC has more equipment then we do so they can do more activities with the kids,” she said.

Both teachers agree that the Alpha students love the experience and look forward to it every year.