Pillar Spotlight #13: THINK in action @ CMA's 8th grade KidFit class!

Read all about how students at CMA are leading instruction during their P.E (KidFit) class!  

From Nychaela Crump, 6th-8th Kidfit Teacher: I chose to create a Student Led Curriculum to allow students to grow beyond the walls of the classroom. In a classroom setting, students tend to feel pressured and shy. Allowing students to step up in Kidfit is empowering and they feel heard. Middle school P.E can be overwhelming and I want my students to feel safe in a fitness environment. They can lead starting with warm-ups to the lesson of the day; students put their own spin on the warm-up or they can choose a team of students and let their creative minds run while leading different Fitness Stations. Last week we ended our fitness month with Student Led Crossfit.  Students incorporated the big rope, hurdles and the agility ladder! I know my students a ready when they tell me to press play on the gym music. My goal this year was to have every student know a sport or activity so well that they can teach someone else. This curriculum and style of teaching has confirmed and inspired me to roll out a Jr. Coach Program for my middle schoolers next year!
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A recent interview with Jermaj Nelson (8th grade: ChangeMakers Academy)
Tell me more about the  activities you planned for your class today in KidFit: 
“Today I led the run, stretch and other cool activities during class. I think it's an opportunity to be helpful and develop skills that will help me become a CEO in the future. It’s also important to get in shape and get fit, I like the idea of doing conditioning workouts and sharing these with other students during class. A lot of us play sports outside of school and I think that the workout I planned today helps them get in shape" 

Tell me, why do you think it’s important to have students lead the class?
“I think it’s important because we are getting to the age where we are being able to lead and do things on our own. If the teacher needs help one day, she can always rely on the students to jump in. I got the opportunity to lead today, but it’s great that others get to do it too. We get to collaborate and talk about what we want to do for our next class!”

How does this encourage you to practice our THINK pillar?
“My friends and I talked about what we wanted to do and I went from there and developed a plan. This pushed me to THINK more about what I wanted the class to do. It’s helpful to brainstorm with my friends.”

If you could share one piece of wisdom or insight related to this what would it be?
“Nothing is too hard” - I see some people in my class and other scholars that struggle with a lot of things and you just have to THINK through them and find other ways to get to your goal.”