IN Fox Chapel Area Spring 2017 | Page 16

SEVENTH GRADERS TAKE ON TEACHING ROLE IN DMS / HARTWOOD COLLABORATION

Dorseyville Middle School students talked to Hartwood students about exercises that would strengthen the abdominal muscles . ox Chapel Area FOX CHAPEL AREA SCHOOL NEWS

SEVENTH GRADERS TAKE ON TEACHING ROLE IN DMS / HARTWOOD COLLABORATION

This day was going to be different than other days for a group of seventh graders – they had prepared for and were going to teach a class of younger students when they arrived at school . The 13 Dorseyville students researched and prepared lesson plans in advance and actually taught a physical education class to Hartwood Elementary School third and fourth graders .

A DMS student explained how students could use the scooters to work their hamstrings .
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According to DMS physical education teacher Michelle Bailey , seventh graders were divided into four groups of three or four students to begin working on the project in December . Each student team focused on a different muscle group : biceps , hamstrings , abdominals , and triceps as they researched in-depth and coordinated activities to work those muscles . Seventh grader Bridget Kilner said the groups spent about a month and a half working on the project , and the students spent a lot of class time , as well as their own time , in preparation . She also pointed out that research went beyond just learning about the muscle they were assigned . “ We also had to learn about the safety rules and come up with activities that would work those muscles ,” she said .
The presentations included a short sit-down class-like lesson and various physical activities . The Hartwood students moved to four stations to complete the lessons .
“ Do you feel it working yet ?” one seventh grader asked the younger students . “ No ? Then you might be doing it wrong ,” she pointed out .
According to Hartwood Elementary physical education teacher Jodi Travaglia , this is the third year for the collaboration . Dorseyville Middle School also works with Hartwood in other academic areas to give the older students a chance to interact with and help the younger