BMUFSD: Kindergartners Learn Dribbling Skills From Their Older Peers

from the Briarcliff Manor Union Free School District:

2023-01-13

At Todd Elementary School, you can always count on older students to lend a hand.

Recently, as part of their physical education class, kindergarten students in Leslie Newman’s and Bonnie Seligson’s classes watched a video of Todd third, fourth and fifth graders demonstrating a variety of basketball dribbling skills.

After warming up, students played basketball using lower basketball hoops and softer basketballs.

Next, they watched the video, learning skills such as bounce, clap and catch, or bounce turn and catch.

“They have seen this video several times and will try to replicate the skills that they learned,” said physical education teacher Jamie Tranchida, who created the video.

Armed with new and exciting ways to dribble a basketball, it was time to put the practice to the test.

Students played “follow the leader” by getting into teams of two, with each team consisting of a “leader” and a “follower.”

The leader decided which dribbling skill they will work on, and the follower had to comply, until Mr. Tranchida called out “switch” and they would switch places.

“They are using teamwork and collaboration,” said physical education teacher Michelle Hiltsley.

After the game, Mr. Tranchida taught the students additional dribbling skills and tricks, such as drop, dance and catch and drop, spin and catch.

Towards the end of class, students enjoyed free time with the basketballs to either shoot baskets, or practice more dribbling skills.

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