Poinsettia Elementary's newly resurfaced blacktop has become a canvas for art. It's not the kind of art at which you gaze from behind a velvet rope in a museum, but the kind on which you play hopscotch, tetherball, basketball, foursquare and even life-size chess and checkers; the kind you jump on, run on, hop on … and learn on.
After viewing a playground at a San Jose school that combined athletics and academics, Poinsettia Principal Steve Ahle decided to create something similar at his school. He and art teacher Tara Clark brainstormed. The PTA joined in to sponsor the project and provide volunteers. Every K-5 student wielded a paintbrush to create the palette of activities. And now, Poinsettia Panthers energetically dash outdoors at recess to play and learn, getting a thorough mental and physical workout.
Principal Ahle says the project fits his integrated academics-athletics philosophy. He explains, “From fraction tetherball to spelling word hopscotch to U.S. and world maps, learning in game format helps to apply and advance skills. The number grids, alphabet charts and multiplication grids match the ones in the students' planners.”
He believes, “Time for learning is precious at Poinsettia. Passive learning through games provides great opportunities.”
Clark observes, “Since the students helped paint the games, they take ownership and pride in what is clearly 'their' playground. The creativity continues when they come up with math games and other activities to play on pieces they've created.”
Jennifer Everson, who along with Tracey Gans, Jodi and John Davidson and other parents volunteered to supervise the young painters, says, “It's really inspirational to see everyone pitching in. Mrs. Clark is so good at motivating students through art.”
Fourth-grader Ashley Bloch says painting the games is great, and playing them is even better. “We get to learn while we're having fun!”
Hope Hawks Court Fun
While Poinsettia Panthers pounce on their exciting new playground activities, Hope Hawks home in on their newest addition: a Gaga court. Not the “Just Dance” Lady Gaga, but the real thing: a game believed to have originated in Israel decades ago.
Hope Elementary students have gone totally gaga over this rapid-paced, elimination ball game played within the compact confines of a Gaga court. The game is safe, inclusive and wildly fun; a controlled chaos that involves hand-eye coordination, physical skills, etiquette and the obligatory “Gaga” yell. Since the court's installation in October 2010, Gaga has become a big attraction for students before school, during morning recess and at lunchtime.
A family of a Hope student donated the funds for materials. The nearby Home Depot jumped in with a $50 credit. Principal Richard Tubbs and his son Jax, a fourth-grader at Hope, built the court.
Principal Tubbs reports, “The court fit perfectly under an existing gazebo area on the playground. It's small in size, but huge in fun!”
After viewing a playground at a San Jose school that combined athletics and academics, Poinsettia Principal Steve Ahle decided to create something similar at his school. He and art teacher Tara Clark brainstormed. The PTA joined in to sponsor the project and provide volunteers. Every K-5 student wielded a paintbrush to create the palette of activities. And now, Poinsettia Panthers energetically dash outdoors at recess to play and learn, getting a thorough mental and physical workout.
Principal Ahle says the project fits his integrated academics-athletics philosophy. He explains, “From fraction tetherball to spelling word hopscotch to U.S. and world maps, learning in game format helps to apply and advance skills. The number grids, alphabet charts and multiplication grids match the ones in the students' planners.”
He believes, “Time for learning is precious at Poinsettia. Passive learning through games provides great opportunities.”
Clark observes, “Since the students helped paint the games, they take ownership and pride in what is clearly 'their' playground. The creativity continues when they come up with math games and other activities to play on pieces they've created.”
Jennifer Everson, who along with Tracey Gans, Jodi and John Davidson and other parents volunteered to supervise the young painters, says, “It's really inspirational to see everyone pitching in. Mrs. Clark is so good at motivating students through art.”
Fourth-grader Ashley Bloch says painting the games is great, and playing them is even better. “We get to learn while we're having fun!”
Hope Hawks Court Fun
While Poinsettia Panthers pounce on their exciting new playground activities, Hope Hawks home in on their newest addition: a Gaga court. Not the “Just Dance” Lady Gaga, but the real thing: a game believed to have originated in Israel decades ago.
Hope Elementary students have gone totally gaga over this rapid-paced, elimination ball game played within the compact confines of a Gaga court. The game is safe, inclusive and wildly fun; a controlled chaos that involves hand-eye coordination, physical skills, etiquette and the obligatory “Gaga” yell. Since the court's installation in October 2010, Gaga has become a big attraction for students before school, during morning recess and at lunchtime.
A family of a Hope student donated the funds for materials. The nearby Home Depot jumped in with a $50 credit. Principal Richard Tubbs and his son Jax, a fourth-grader at Hope, built the court.
Principal Tubbs reports, “The court fit perfectly under an existing gazebo area on the playground. It's small in size, but huge in fun!”