BMUFSD: 2nd Graders Practice Teamwork, Cooperation While Building Hula Huts

Press release from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

2023-03-17

What could be more fun than building “huts” out of hula hoops? Knocking them down, of course.

Second graders in Erin Kassas and Ana Correia’s classes shrieked in delight as they threw pompom balls at “hula huts,” and tore them down in physical education class.

Students began the activity with a warm-up and then were divided into teams. Each team first tossed pompom balls across the gymnasium to try to knock down pins.

Once a student knocked down a pin, they grabbed a hula hoop from a pile and when the team reached six hoops, they could build a “hula hut” together

When the hut was ready, students could either continue throwing pompoms at pins to get more hoops and build more huts, or try to knock down other teams’ huts. They could also stand close to their huts to try to protect them from being torn down by other students.

Each time a hula hut fell apart, students shrieked excitedly and began rebuilding it.

“Students are practicing building, teamwork and cooperation, as well as throwing,” said physical education teacher Michelle Hiltsley, as she watched teacher Jamie Tranchida demonstrate proper ball-throwing technique.

Mary Claire’s favorite part of the game was building the huts and protecting them.

“My favorite part was when we were knocking down the hula hoops and then everyone started screaming,” Gemma said.

This press release was produced by the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District. The views expressed here are the author’s own.