PEGS Rethinks Remington's Play Ground!
How did this start?
Mrs. Robinson and Ms. Logue were prepping our students for recess at the beginning of the year. Recess can be a difficult time for exceptionally gifted students and students who are new to a school. As a group, we were discussing how to make friends and what we could say to find someone new to play with at recess. During this discussion, students mentioned that there isn't much to do if you don't want to play kickball, basketball or climb on play equipment.
This led to us thinking about what else students could do outside. Then our conversation led to how some playgrounds have hopscotch, four square and other activity outlines painted on them.
PEGS decided the play ground needed activities like that and more painted on the asphalt. So, we brainstormed ideas, found pictures of those ideas (and more) online, and then we created an online survey using "survio.com" for students in grades 3-5 to take. Here are some snapshots of the survey:
The class analyzed the results and decided what we should include in our play ground design.
Then, what did we do?
Below are pictures of the process so far.
Students are moving around made-to-scale-templates of play ground ideas on a made-to-scale playground made out of graph paper. This is for the back upper play ground.
These 5th graders are measuring out the larger play ground on graph paper.
These are a few designs of the upper playground.
These students are measuring the outside play ground. We needed more measurements (placement of basketball poles).
Here the boys are checking our measurements. Measure twice, cut once! Right?
These students are measuring and placing the basketball poles on the play ground template.
Now, they are placing the basketball court templates on the play ground template.
Presenting the Idea
Students met with our principal to present the idea. Each student had a role in the presentation. The feed back we received included finalizing prices on materials and equipment and contacting the PE teacher for any further ideas.
Pricing and PE Teacher
We used Google docs to create link to the prices for the needed materials and sports equipment. We shared this document with our principal, Dr. Furjes. In addition, the PE teacher reviewed our plans and did not have any further ideas.
Final Meeting
We met with Dr. Furjes for the final time in our planning stage. The only concern is the Ga Ga pit right now. Other than that, Dr Furjes says the project is a GO! He told the PEGS students that this was a well thought-out project.
Our project is a "GO", on a modified plan. We might have a new parking lot installed in the spring and summer. So, we will ask for basic painting for now, no colored in painting at this time.
A parent volunteer is going to write a Pattonville Education Foundation grant to see if we can get our sports equipment purchased in this manner. Students will be a part of this process.
I will be emailing the district to see if district maintenance crew can paint the four square, hop scotch and basket ball half courts. Students will be a part of writing the email.
Things are moving forward!
2/9/17
Guess what happened over the weekend?? Our playground was painted with several of our ideas!
Hop Scotch
4-Square
Running Lanes and Basketball Courts
Bonus! Traffic Lanes for after-school pick up and before-school drop off!
Results!
Students Interacting With Others
For some, this is new! Students also were playing games that they didn't normally play. When the students saw the painted lines and activities Monday morning, students jumped out of their parents' cars and were so excited! Some of the kids said "Thank you!" to Mrs. Lambros (they know she works in the PEGS classroom) as they walked into the school.
3rd Math
- Estimate lengths using units of inches, feet, yards, centimeters and meters.
- Measure to determine how much longer one object is than another.
- Analyze the data in a frequency table, line plot, bar graph or picture graph.
- Solve problems involving addition and subtraction by using information presented in a data display.
- Use the four operations to solve problems involving distances, intervals of time, liquid volume, weight of objects and money.
- Apply the area and perimeter formulas for rectangles to solve problems.
- Solve and justify multi- step problems involving variables, whole numbers, fractions and decimals.
- Write, evaluate and interpret numeric expressions using the order of operations.
- Multiply multi-digit whole numbers and decimals to the hundredths place, and justify the solution.
Guidance and Counseling
- Domain 2: PS 2 Interacting With Others in Ways That Respect Individual and Group Differences
