Fifth Grade Life Sports

Instructor: Kristen Wiesenmayer

Curriculum Map  Class Pages

Life Sports teaches the value of healthy living and the fun of physical activity in everyday life. This class is designed to inspire students to have an interest in a wide variety of games and activities, well beyond the scope of traditional sports. By engaging in such, students begin to develop an understanding of their individual strengths and interests as well as an appreciation for those of others. In everything we do, attention is paid to demonstrating respect, tolerance, and cooperation -- key elements for developing a solid grasp of fair play and good sportsmanship. Students have the opportunity to work individually, with partners, in small groups, and in team settings. One component of this class has students reflecting - through both spoken and written word - on some of the experiences and activities in which they engage. These reflections, along with other records of the year, are collected in each student's Sportfolio -- a journal of sorts that will tell the story of their year in Life Sports.

Fifth grade students explore games and activities that they can take with them back into the community, whether it be playing SPUD with neighborhood friends, challenging their parents to a cup stacking race, or playing for their company kickball team down the road. In keeping with the Woodlawn way, integration with their core classes occurs occasionally throughout the year. Students explore, for example, the notion of leadership in games and sports to compliment their consideration of leadership in Life Skills class and they learn a bit about the games and sports of Native Americans to compliment their study of Native Americans in Social Studies. 

At Woodlawn, we know that physical activity keeps our bodies healthy. We also know that it keeps our minds active and spirits strong too!