On a blustery spring day last week, my students and I grabbed the kite on our way out for our science walk. After some adjustments to the harness, the kite soared. This is always so enjoyable for any age, I believe.
Later, we played kickball. When I was in third grade, I remember recess being one of the most horrible parts of my life. When we were younger, we spent wonderful hours outside digging in the dirt, playing Chinese jump rope, or doing whatever creative and fun thing we decided to do. But beginning in the third grade, we often played organized kickball games. I absolutely loathed these for several reasons.
1. At first, I had never even heard of kickball and had no idea how to play.
2. I was terrified of kicking the ball.
3. I always missed it and was a horrible kickball player.
4. The other students tolerated me, but it was awkward and I was humiliated.
5. Because I was so awful at it, I was the last one picked for teams almost every single time.
6. This scarred me almost as much as the knee sock incident did, except this was certainly much longer lasting.
I avoided hardly ever having to kick the ball by always going to the very back of the line. If my team ever got far enough that I had to kick, I would ask the teacher if I could go to the restroom before it was my turn to kick. Then I walked really slowly to the restroom and back. When my team was in the outfield, I went as far out as I could and hoped the ball never came near me. My teammates made sure it didn't.
For the rest of my school career, I was afraid of balls and avoided any sport as much as possible. (My mother did let me take gymastics lessons and I was on a summer swim team, so I wasn't totally inactive.) I never tried out for anything related to sports, and I took any alternative I could find to get out of playing any kind of sport at school. I was very thankful that marching band counted for my physical education credits.
While I am more muscially and artistically inclined, I feel like I should have had a chance at a more well-rounded experience in school. When I was teaching art, I tried to make sure that all of my students understood how to do the assignments, and I strived to have a culture of appreciation and kindness so that even my most artistically challenged students felt comfortable in art class. How I wish someone would have done that for me when I was trying to play kickball.
So, when my students wanted to play kickball, we had a little talk. I explained all the rules because one of them didn't know them. I also explained that this was just for fun and that we would all get to kick. I actually enjoyed myself and managed to kicked the ball each time! It is amazing what having a good attitude, some humility, and some graciousness does for a game of kickball. I wish I had had that back when I was in third grade, but at least my students do.
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February Fun Day #5: Kite Day