I saved one of the students’ favorite units for last,
cycling. Many of our students enjoy and look forward to the days when they get
to ride tricycles during adaptive physical education class or their free
time. The unit has included the students
biking around the Village bicycle path and through obstacle courses. The cycling skills have been complemented by
stories and worksheets on tricycles.
Whenever
working with students on new skills, we are sure to discuss safety. Before getting on our trikes, the students
must put on their helmets, check the tires, and try the brakes to ensure safe
riding. Our older students are learning words such as “pass” when getting ready
to go around someone who is walking or biking. Some students are beginning to signal
with their right or left hand to indicate their intended direction of travel.
During
different classes, our students have focused on biking for distance and on
building skills (balance, pedaling technique, steering, braking). Five laps around the Village bike path equals
one mile. All of our students complete between one-quarter and one-and-a-half
mile rides. When we work on skills, we
set up an obstacle course, which has allowed the students to concentrate on
steering and following road signs (green, yellow, red, stop signs). When the
weather is nice, the students are also learning about sun safety,
communication, and road safety. All the while, the students are also improving
their cardiovascular health and lower extremity strength.
The cycling
stories and worksheets have provided more ways to reinforce concepts. Some days
this month have been rainy, so the stories and worksheets have been a great way
for the students to show me what knowledge has been retained. (Keep an eye out for these in the students’ “Sportfolios”
that will be handed out to families next week on Moving Up Day.)
I
cannot express how much the students enjoy this activity. If you have a
bicycle, a bike with training wheels, or a youth/adult trike at home, I
encourage you to go for a family ride. You’ll
feel the sun and wind on your face, it will get your blood pumping, and you’ll
make some great memories with your loved ones.
Keep riding,
Miss Shirey
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