John F. Kennedy School 4th Graders Kickin' It With Mad Skills

PORT CHESTER, NY — Maybe the reason there are so many sports analogies is because physical competitions can very often be a microcosm for a lifetime of challenges.

If so, the fourth graders at John F. Kennedy Elementary School are on their way to being well-prepared for life's challenges.

From dribbling to trapping and passing, John F. Kennedy Elementary School fourth graders rotate through eight different stations to practice their soccer skills in physical education teachers Amanda Solis and Dan Maldonado’s classes.

"We are teaching our soccer stations before we start our soccer games with students in third through fifth grade," Maldonado said. "Each station was designed to enhance the students’ skillset and provide enjoyment as they work with a group of peers. Through station work, the students receive a high time on task working on repetition of a variety of skills."

Prior to the station work, Solis and Maldonado worked on each individual skill, breaking them down to help students understand the progressions to those skills. The stations included skills such as stopping and moving the ball with control, passing it to a partner, shooting it towards a goal and using the correct technique to create a heading pass. In addition, the students worked on their foot control and speed technique, as well as controlling the ball using their feet. They were challenged to strike a target by knocking down a pin from a distance.

"Our environment helps students improve their overall development with an emphasis on communication, decision-making, creative and critical thinking, and self-awareness," Maldonado said. "We push our staff and students to be open minded, positive, motivated and eager to learn so we can help them reach the highest level of success in physical education."

As the students organized and sat behind a cone at each station, they learned about teamwork, sportsmanship and cooperation with their partners. Solis and Maldonado said they strive to create a positive learning experience in a comfortable environment, founded by support and happiness. They said their goal is to equip students with the necessary tools and knowledge to help them grow physically, mentally, emotionally and socially.

"As a physical education teacher my goal is to not only help my students in the present but to provide them with the tools that they need to develop a lifelong healthy lifestyle in body and mind," Solis said.