Students at LP Quinn Elementary School are going “gaga” over a new activity in their physical education classes.
Through a partnership with The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools & Communities (CHSC) program in Franklin County, the Tupper Lake Central School District (TLCSD) recently purchased GaGa Ball equipment and incorporated it into its physical education curriculum.
“GaGa Ball is basically a below-the-knee version of dodgeball, played in a contained area called a GaGa Pit,” said Jennifer Cook, TLCSD physical education teacher. “It’s a game that combines problem solving, teamwork and promotes positive competition among our students. Adding this to our curriculum has been a great experience for our students.”
GaGa Ball has become a popular addition to physical education nationwide in recent years, as it offers benefits that traditional sports such as soccer, baseball and basketball lack. For young children especially, GaGa Ball doesn’t require the need to develop skills prior to becoming an effective player. As a variant of dodgeball, GaGa Ball combines dodging, striking, running and jumping, with the objective of being the last person standing. Kids are required to hit the ball at each other with their hands, but must strike an opponent below the knee to eliminate them.
Tupper Lake teachers have been using GaGa Ball in P.E. classes and during brain breaks and recess. In grades 2-5, students have increased physical activity during school hours and are learning to play games independently of teacher oversight, according to feedback collected from faculty.
“Our teachers have reported that the participation and enthusiasm is great,” Cook said. “The game is designed to give all kids a chance to play and win, so it promotes better participation. We’re seeing kids stay active for a full 30 minutes during P.E. class and during breaks and recess, and we know just how valuable activity and motion is for the learning process.”
The equipment and training was paid for by CHSC, a program funded by a grant from the New York State Department of Health. In Franklin County, CHSC is administered by The Heart Network, a Saranac Lake-based nonprofit.
“Our CHSC program’s goal is to increase access to healthy food and opportunities for physical activity, in school and community settings as well as in early childhood education,” said Arriana Patraw, The Heart Network’s community health improvement coordinator. “We’re proud to work with school partners like LP Quinn to implement more inclusive physical education programs that get kids moving. The more active kids are, the better learners they are.”
The Heart Network and TLSCD have also been partnering on other initiatives, including the introduction of the national All Kids Bike program, which supplies districts with bikes, helmets and training so that more kids can learn to safely enjoy cycling. The Tupper Lake program is in its early stages and will ramp up throughout the school year.
To learn more about the CHSC program at The Heart Network, or to find out how your school district can partner, visit heartnetwork.org or contact Arriana Patraw at apatraw@heartnetwork.org.
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