Homeschool P.E.

Last week, it was a challenge getting to our weekly P.E. class!   Winter decided to show up the night before and there was ice everywhere.   Our street crews, due to an equipment change that wasn't complete yet, didn't get out until 5:30am to drop gravel.  It turned out that when it is FREEZING outside, that is not early enough to melt ice before the morning rush of traffic.

This resulted in bumper to bumper traffic on just about every main street in town!   I had the key to the gym and people were already on their way, so I had to go.   It took me 30 minutes to drive what usually takes 10 minutes.  And I prayed the whole time that no other car would hit mine and that I wouldn't get stuck!   We were blessed to make it safe and sound (although decidedly late). I was later told there were 60 accident reports that morning.

Due to the weather, I kept my little ones with me and they watched P.E. from the balcony.  Usually, I drop them off at a friend's house and she will watch them while I bring her kids to P.E.  The little ones thought it was so great that they got to come see P.E.   About half the number of kids showed up than usually do, which is understandable.

In our P.E. class, we have all levels of players.  Our younger class includes 5th-7th graders and our older class is 7th-12th graders.  We are currently doing a basketball unit and there are a few boys who are on the local homeschool basketball team and are quite good.  While others have never really played basketball before. It is an interesting dynamic. 

In some ways it is great.   The not so good ones have more motivation to work harder and great examples to watch and play with. The better players have plenty of opportunities to help and encourage those not on their level. 

 I was a bit nervous at first because my daughter falls into the category of having never played before.  She was frustrated at first, but we encouraged her to hang in there and keep trying.  A couple weeks later, she ran up to me excited because she was passing and catching the ball better and even made a basket!   "I'm really getting better mom!"  She said excitedly.

 I was impressed by a 6th grader on this particular day in class. He and another boy invited my younger kids to play basketball with them (on the half of the gym the older kids weren't using).  As I was walking by, this 6th grader looked at my four year old and said, "You can be on my team".   I watched as Baby Sis ran over to him and the other kids finished dividing into their teams of three.   I just thought it was so sweet!  I have seen many people who get very concerned about winning or showing how good they are at something--no matter who or when they are playing.

When I looked over and saw Baby Sis running while holding the ball (definitely "traveling":) I couldn't help but feel blessed that my children can be in a class with other children who are such good examples!