See also:

• The 2008 Sports4Kids Junior Coaches' Interview

More about 2008 Basketball & Volleyball...

Our Junior Coach program has over 20 participating students, many of whom are in their second year. These students continue to develop their leadership and job skills. They are active at two recesses daily and can be seen leading a wide variety of games. Some of these include 4-square, Kickball, Hula Hoop Challenge, Captains of the Court Volleyball, Pickleball, Wall Ball and Basketball. On rainy days Junior Coaches are assigned to specific classrooms where they use the skills they've learned on the playground to engage students in more structured indoor play.

The structure of the Sports4Kids After School Program is slightly different this year. Mondays and Wednesdays are a co-ed Sports Club, while Tuesdays and Thursdays are specifically dedicated to Girls Sports. We are also collaborating with the Richmond District After School Program. This co-operation has expanded to include recreation activities in the after school program, kickball and basketball leagues.

Our most current enrichment activity is our Girls Basketball team. The first game was held on December 5th at the Hillcrest Elementary Gym located at 810 Silver Avenue in the Excelsior District of San Francisco. Peabody faced off against Sherman Elementary and came away with many smiles, an exhausted team and new skills to work on in practice. All 4th and 5th Grade girls are eligible for this league. For additional information on how to sign up please email Coach Drew.

Current articles of interest:

• Revamping Recess For Kids' Fitness: Make School Recess a Priority So Kids Get More Physical Activity [CBSnews.com] [2007.10.01]

Our Classroom Game Times is when classes play together using the four movement modalities Sports4Kids has identified:

1. Ice-breakers: These encourage students to learn the names of their peers. Participation in ice breakers help students feel more comfortable in their community as well as during further games and activities.

2. Tag games: Although adults have a hard time viewing tag as a 'real' game in the context of sports, they teach a number of basic movement skills that lead toward more complex games and sports. The skills range from simple agility and evasion to more complex games which teach co-operation, teamwork, and strategic thinking.

3. Readiness games: Just as the letters are the building blocks of reading, there are building blocks that prepare students to go out and play. Readiness games build the foundation of basic sports skills and establish a common movement vocabulary for the entire group. These skills include awareness (both spatial and physical), safety skills, participation, good team behavior.

4. Cooperative games: Focussing on having fun, team-building, and sportsmanship, cooperative games combine fun with active learning about problem solving, communication, decision-making, and group dynamics. These games emphasize the group tackling a challenge together.

Sports4Kids has also implemented a Junior Coach Program. This offers a chance for 4th and 5th grade students to explore what it means to be a leader within the context of our school environment. Junior Coaches are responsible for showing other students new games, checking out recess equipment and helping make recess a lot of fun. They participate in monthly trainings that each focus on a different aspect of leadership.

The Sports4Kids after-school program has been operating since early October. This component is a free program that provides a fun, safe environment for students to eat a snack, play games and do homework together. About 20 students participate and so far has been a great success. This group has further opportunities to learn new games that have so far included Capture the Flag, Kickball, and Tennis.

Our most recent addition to the stable of activities offered by Sports4Kids is the 4th and 5th grade girls' Night Court Basketball league. This group enjoys practice during lunch recess a few times a week and has one evening game a week for six weeks, ending in February. They have the opportunity to explore what it means to be part of a team participating in an organized league.

The three most important rules of this developmental league are Respect the Game, Play Hard, and Have Fun. It is the first of a series of leagues Sports4Kids will operate which will include volleyball and flag football later in the school year.

[December 2007]

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