Of Teaching and Learning

I'm not really sure how it happened, but yesterday I ended up helping with Mr Busy's Physical Education lesson. A discussion at recess time with his teacher and the Year 6 teacher had something to do with it....and my love of netball. I wish I had the knees to play again, but alas, the were wrecked when I played in my 'Before Children' life.

Our Year 4/5/6's were to begin learning to play netball yesterday. MrW asked if I knew how to play....to which I responded "I love playing netball". His eyes lit up and he wondered aloud and somewhat jokingly if I'd be interested in joining them for the afternoon. I usually just do my own thing on Thursday afternoon rather than come home for an hour and head back to pick up the kids, so I was happy to do something a little more productive. Somewhere along the way I ended up explaining the game, the positions to 40 children and answering what seemed like unending questions. Eventually they were all questioned out and we headed down to the courts.

I ended up co-umpiring a game with the Year 6 teacher, which the kids did a great job of playing... and I learned a lot.

I learned that even the most proficient teachers have things they want to learn. I learned that I can teach those proficient teachers teensy bits and pieces! And I learned that PE is way more fun than it was when I was a kid! Then I realised that I'd managed to teach a group of 40 kids something. That'll do a thing or two to boost a girl's confidence!

Edited to add: For those who don't know what Netball is, check out this wikipedia link. Basically, it's a game very similar to Basketball, only requiring more team play and, I would argue, more skill ;)