Quick 5th Grade Curriculum

[Martin Dewgarita]

This year's outdoor education program for 5th graders at the camp I maintain includes disc golf, because so many of the teachers/parents were intrigued by bald eagle disc golf course last year - I had suggested it last year, but so many people on my end were like "disc golf isn't outdoor education" but this year the schools requested that it be included. I personally will not be teaching the class (I have way too many other things to do to prepare for the summer) so I will be turning it over to young instructors with no dg experience.

I am teaching staff training tomorrow (Monday) at noon, I have as much time to run staff training as I need, but I need to teach college age kids how to teach 5th graders disc golf and make it an "educational" experience during a 50 minute class. During the next 2.5 weeks, there will be nearly 600 5th graders in blocks of 15-20 kids at a time with a 50 minute window to get exposed to the sport. There will be no followup after, 50 minutes - this is disc golf, here's a disc, go throw, don't hurt each other, have fun!

In 50 minutes one instructor with the help of several parents and chaperones, all likely with no disc golf experience need to bring the kids through the course - I have a 4 hole beginner loop that they will use, technical holes averaging around 100'.

So I guess my question is what do I tell my staff tomorrow to get them excited about running a class that will encourage kids to pursue this sport and convince the teachers that disc golf is a feasible outdoor education component to their overall program.

 

[art_vandelay]

If you can figure out how to get collage age kids to do anything but roll their eyes at you (especially the young ladies...they don't know how they wound their parents) I'd like to know the secret too.

I think in that amount of time you can demonstrate a forehand, a backhand, an overhand and a putt. The basic motion to make it happen.

I'd also make sure they know where they have to stand to not get hit or distract other golfers. So very basic etiquette. I don't think I'd attempt more than that.

 

[BogeyNoMore]

I agree with Art - keep it simple.
I'd focus on:
1)

I'd also make sure they know where they have to stand to not get hit or distract other golfers. So very basic etiquette.

2) A flat, smooth release, with no nose up ... one of the biggest contributors to the newb hyzer phenomena.

 

[Smigles]

I dont think people who have never played the game can properly teach it. To teach, you must know about the topic you are teaching.


Just let the kids play and those that like it will come back for proper lessons. Teach them to look for others, be careful and watch out where they throw.

 

[art_vandelay]

I dont think people who have never played the game can properly teach it. To teach, you must know about the topic you are teaching.


Just let the kids play and those that like it will come back for proper lessons. Teach them to look for others, be careful and watch out where they throw.

Of course they can't properly teach it. But the situation is what it is. Some basic instruction is better than just turning them loose. Number one priority is keeping them safe. Number two is teaching them that disc golf is fun. Anything after that is just a bonus.

 

[RobA]

I think in the time frame you have, simply exposing the teachers and the kids to the game is the best you can do. Like any other sport, teach the basics. Safety should always come first, then teach the object of the game. Don't bring out any drivers though. Start them with putters, that way any damage they can cause will be minimized, lol.

 

[DougCrawford]

In situations like this- it is better to do a large group instruction, then let the college kids supervise. Teach everyone as a whole so the older ones can learn along with them- then when it is time to go to the course they will have the same base knowledge, just a little more leadership. I would advise a meeting for expectations beforehand with the college kids too- there aren't too many college kids who are qualified to educate elementary school kids- that's coming from an elementary school teacher.

 

[dbienkowski]

I created a website as an instructional tool for my PE students. If this can help you teach the college kids, feel free.

www.discgolfvft.weebly.com

 

[Lewis]

I think Prerube is a PE teacher. If you can find him, he may have some good advice for you.

 

[Discette]

One thing you always want to do when teaching kids, is to be sure they have a chance to throw both Forehand and Backhand drives.


It is amazing that some kids (and adults) can be "naturals" at one style or the other.

It is always great to see a kid that couldn't throw a backhand drive 25 feet step up and launch a forehand drive 200 feet - as if they had been doing it their whole life. You can actually watch them get hooked!

 

[Timeetyo]

One thing you always want to do when teaching kids, is to be sure they have a chance to throw both Forehand and Backhand drives.


It is amazing that some kids (and adults) can be "naturals" at one style or the other.

It is always great to see a kid that couldn't throw a backhand drive 25 feet step up and launch a forehand drive 200 feet - as if they had been doing it their whole life. You can actually watch them get hooked!

Definitely. My son's backhand is atrocious. His FH, though, is respectable for his age and time spent.

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

Well. I think it went pretty well - the kids I was teaching to teach - 5 guys of about 20 years of age: 1 local, one from England, 2 from New Zealand, and one from Scotland - had all played at least a couple rounds here in the days since they moved in about a week ago. They were all starting to catch the bug and were thrilled that I was able to share some technique with them, I forced them all to throw backhand/forehand/overhand/rollers/offhand in a field (Imagine the chaos of a group of 25 5th graders chucking discs into the field).

Then I brought them on the course. I instructed them to break into 4 groups of 8ish - basically a shotgun start with chapperones leading each group of 8 in a scramble - use the best shot out of the 8 thrown on the 4 hole loop of 1,2,3,9. Which we practiced on holes 1 and 2, then we broke off into singles for a full 9 holes. I even gave them the option of playing the blue tee, they all seemed to enjoy the challenge on the last 3 holes.

I felt like just getting them excited about the sport is a huge part of getting them excited about teaching the class. So many classes get monotonous and dreaded or feared - the Burma bridge for example (which was also a class I taught for staff training today) has 'complicated' knots and pulley systems, that if you don't practice them could have you fumbling, and I can imagine how much practicing they're getting with the rope I sent them back to the cabin with at the dance party that appears to be happening next door.

As training concluded they walked away planning their next round of disc golf later that evening for a little competition - I imagine further training and camp preparations got in the way tonight, but they are excited about it, and they will transfer that excitement towards the kids.

I gotta admit, teaching kids how to teach kids was pretty fun, and I imagine kids teaching kids will have a good time too.

 

[Mushin No Shin]

World DG Trainer

Matt's new DGCR title

Great work man!

 

[prerube]

Martin, I do have lots of information pre-made for you. shoot me a PM and I will give you my email

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

Field practice

On the course

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

Today the final group of 5th graders showed up, I was thrilled to find out that every school chose DG as part of their curriculum, so in total nearly 700 young people were introduced to the sport that we all love.

Today I cruised overhead on the zip lines while they were throwing and took some pictures.

 

[Martin Dewgarita]

 

[art_vandelay]

Big smile on my face. If even one of them takes up the sport, I'd consider the whole thing worth it. One of those kids could be a future champion or introduce someone else to the sport who is a future champ...you get my point. All the threads about what the sport needs....you are looking at it.

 

[Moose33]

You are the real deal man, thanks for sharing. Cool to see your course in the daytime too!

 

[RobA]

Thanks for showing the pics. It looks like the kids are having a great time.