Freshman PE students participate in a basketball unit every year that ends with a championship, where teamwork and leadership matter just as much as winning.
“We have to assess freshmen on standard four skills,” PE teacher Tessa Tryon said. “Standard one skills are your ability to pass, shoot, and move around the court, while standard four focuses on teamwork, cooperation, and problem solving skills.”
The basketball unit is required because it allows teachers to evaluate both athletic ability and life skills during one unit.
“We get to pick what sports or activities best demonstrate those skills,” Ms. Tryon said.
While the games can be competitive, MVP Medals are not given based on only scoring points. Leadership plays a big role in who earns the Medal.
“We base MVP off of standard four,” Ms. Tryon said. “We are looking for leaders on and off the court, not just people making shots.”
Only five students per class receive MVP medals during the unit, which makes it a meaningful achievement.
“It’s special to receive it,” Ms. Tryon said.
One of the main goals of the unit is helping students work with classmates they may not usually interact with.
“You don’t always get to choose who you work with in life,” Ms. Tryon said. “This unit helps to establish confidence and teaches students how to work with different people.”
As the unit continues, teachers notice changes in student confidence and participation.
“I’ve seen students step out of their comfort zones and get involved in different ways. Some students cheer, make posters, or support their teams from the sidelines,” said Ms. Tryon.
Students who are not very interested in sports are still included throughout the unit.
“There’s something for everyone,” Ms. Tryon said. “Some students like keeping score, some like cheering, and some like helping their team in other ways.”
The unit is organized by the ninth grade PE teachers, who work together outside of class time.
“We meet once a week and talk about how to set up the unit and choose MVPs. A lot of work goes on behind the scenes,” said Ms. Tryon.
For Ms. Tryon, the most meaningful moments happen during small victories.
“Seeing someone step into a game for the first time or make a shot when they were nervous is really special,” she said.
Even when teams are not winning, students are encouraged to stay motivated.
“As the unit goes on, people start motivating each other more,” Ms. Tryon said.
By the end of the basketball unit, many students surprise themselves with how much they improve.
“When you have teammates cheering for you, it builds confidence and increases participation,” said Ms. Tryon.
Ms. Tryon said she hopes students walk away with more than basketball skills.
She said, “there’s a lot of value in this unit and in PE. I’m really glad people are learning more about what to do.”
