Creative PE classes help build skills, confidence

Roller rinks, fishing lines, balance bikes add to school experiences.

Parking lots became ST. LOUIS — fishing ponds and school gyms turned into roller rinks and bike tracks as physical education teachers got creative in local schools this spring.

“I think it’s pretty cool because you don’t have to be at a skating rink to skate,” said Wesley Teater, 10, after cruising around the gym on eight wheels at Premier Charter School in south St. Louis.

After a few years in and out of virtual learning during the pandemic, PE classes are back with new ways to get kids moving. Several schools like Premier have hired the national company Skatetime to bring the roller rink to the gym. For $11 per student, the company provided loaner skates and a curriculum for a three-week unit that teaches kids how to start, stop and even fall down safely on wheels.

Many of the students had never roller skated before, said Premier PE teacher Joanie Ryback.

“They have learned a lot of perseverance,” Ryback said.

At Long Elementary School, kindergartners and first graders spent a few weeks of PE on balance bikes. The local nonprofit Living Life on Two Wheels awarded grants to Long and another school for 24 bikes, helmets and a curriculum. Another school has a fishing unit where students learn to cast in the parking lot.

“It’s something that you wouldn’t expect from a PE program,” said Long PE teacher Natalie Luna. The bike course boosted students’ confidence levels, she said.

At Valley Park High School, the physical education offerings next fall will expand from two to five courses:

■Intro to Fitness: All ninth graders will enroll in this course, fulfilling the state’s one-credit graduation requirement. ■Lifetime and Team

Sports: includes rules, etiquette and skills for sports including badminton, basketball, Frisbee, hockey, pickleball, softball, tennis, volleyball and Wiffle ball.

■Wellness and Fitness: designed to enhance core strength, tone muscles, improve flexibility and practice mindfulness. Includes yoga, Pilates and fitness walking.

■Strength and Conditioning: Students will work on increasing their agility, cardiovascular and muscular endurance, flexibility and strength. Includes nutrition education, safety and strength training.

■Adventure Pursuits: Students will learn team building, critical thinking and basic survival skills through activities including hunting, fishing, hiking, camping, archery and competitive shooting.

The school district of 750 students needed to improve its curriculum compared to larger districts, said Meghan Aydelott, Valley Park’s college, career and success-ready director. Mehlville School District, for example, offers an adventure course where students learn to kayak in the pool.

ST. LOUIS POST-DISPATCH Physical Education teacher Natalie Luna helps first grader Camille Holborow who rides a ramp for the first time on her balance bike.