I thought I’d let you all know that I showed a copy of NBC’s 2003 Ironman coverage in my sixth grade social studies class today. There are only two days before break, now there is only one (!), and the kids were starting to get a little restless. I did turn the video into a social studies lesson. the students had to pick out different things that related to the “five themes of geography,” so it was not a full free day. In the end, I think most of the students were really into the race, and they had a lot of questions about Ironmans, triathlons, drafting, puking on the side of the road, and other good things.
Maybe one or two will become a future Ironman star. Or, better yet, they will all become great scholars and learners.
Thanks God there are teachers like you…there is nothing better than being in middle school and having teachers that recognize kids can’t concentrate with the amount of presents and sugar on the horizon. Your efforts should be commended…
My most found memory of high school was our Econ teacher showing us “Wall Street” before Christmas break my senior year…the good old days!
I teach high school and have mentioned triathlons here-and there to my students. The kids think it’s pretty cool. Last year one of my kids got into it enough that he entered a race I was doing. It was his first tri and he LOVED it. I hope when he’s 29 years old and wins Kona he mentions that teahcer that got him started. : ) This year two of my students said they’re going to sign up for the same race to see who will win bragging rights. It’s great to see them get excited about something and to try something new, especially something as positive and healthy as triathlon. The kid who did the race last year, runs cross country and his coach told me he was in the best shape he’s ever seen him in because of his training.