Tablet to basket, Roxhill Elementary’s PE specialist teaching with tech

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Photos by Nick Adams for WSB

Roxhill Elementary PE teacher Chellie LaFayette and her students are getting national attention for unique teaching/learning techniques, and a round of one-handed basketball today was part of it.

It takes practice, as Adam Mendoza learned:

A recent New York Times story pointed to Roxhill as a school where PE class had integrated other forms of learning – like computers, with an iPad helping demonstrate the throwing technique today:

4th graders Lilly Nguyen and Angel Garza worked on hand positioning with the help of a video watched via the iPad, which Roxhill obtained via grant money:

High-tech blended with low-tech – if a student made the basket – here’s Chandler Butcher taking aim …

… they subsequently would get a card with the proper name of a bone in the human skeleton – here’s Raul Frutis:

… then rush to match it on a paper skeleton:

Jaretzi Corona Lopez worked hard to match hers:

And it wasn’t just theory – here’s Ms. LaFayette pointing out where the clavicle is:

In the end, it was a workout, from head to toe:

SudsyMaggie February 25, 2013 (7:43 pm)

Great story, and what beautiful colorful photos!

Robert February 25, 2013 (8:23 pm)

I think it’s worth noting that the original story at least raised the question of whether mixing academics with exercise is a good idea. Some parents and educators have had the temerity to suggest that this isn’t in children’s best interests. And of course the local angle is to add a strong dose of technology. We must all be fully wired at all times, mustn’t we?

WSB February 25, 2013 (8:32 pm)

The tech appears to be a complementary aspect of this class rather than the focus – and given the way many of us live, for better or for worse, it might help render it more relevant. In the end, at least in Ms. LaFayette’s class (can’t speak to what else the NYT featured), they were running and jumping and stretching and shooting baskets. All I remember from fourth-grade PE is “The Hukilau” …

Sarah February 25, 2013 (8:38 pm)

This is a great story. It’s been scientifically proven that students who exercise, specifically aerobically, perform better in school. I recommend the book “Spark” by Dr. John Ratey for those in doubt.

robin February 25, 2013 (8:45 pm)

LOVE this! Way to go Ms. LaFayette!

Jeanne February 25, 2013 (9:37 pm)

I know a lot of time and effort goes into making this class physically rewarding, educational and fun for the kids. I think any questions about the result might want to be addressed to the kids. I would have loved this as a kid.

Laura February 25, 2013 (9:43 pm)

Very cool.

D-Mom February 26, 2013 (7:41 am)

Technology can help with sports development. Video helped me a lot with ski racing. I love seeing such creative teachers; especially at schools that really need them.