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Sharyl Smith
Concord Community Schools
Elkhart, Indiana

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Stacking students train their brain - April, 2005

"When we celebrated "100th Day" at our school, I looked at my 1st and 2nd graders and nearly "lost it." Here they were, almost 2nd and 3rd graders and they were still struggling with standing in a line, walking in the hallways, listening, sitting still, following procedures, following directions, etc. They were not attaining most of the standards in our curriculum. So, I reviewed my lessons and concluded that our students were lacking in the areas of body and spatial awareness and overall basic perceptual motor skills. I got on the internet and reviewed about 50 articles in these areas. I was hearing the same things - children today lack movement experiences which lend to academics, behavior, and normal development. It is obvious that children today do not go out and play as we did, for many reasons such as safety, television, video games, etc.

I went to our superintendent of curriculum and shared my concern. I told her that I was going back to a basic perceptual motor skills program for my first and second graders. Prior to teaching elementary P.E., I was a preschool teacher for five years. I developed a PMSP for three and four years old. That is the program that I was going to use. She was VERY supportive. I sent a note home to the parents of first and second graders sharing some of the information from my "research" with suggestions for some form of motor activity that their children could experience on a daily basis.

During the following week, I attended a C.L.A.S.S. training in Indianapolis. This was for Art, Music, and P.E. teachers. During the breakout for P.E. teachers, I asked them if they were seeing the same things I am seeing. Most of them agreed with me. I asked what kind of activities would target these areas of concern. Several immediately replied, "stacking." I had NEVER heard of that before. Some of them said that Speed Stacks was at a conference in Indy. The presenter had an instructional video so I asked to see it. When watching the video, ideas started popping into my mind and I haven't stopped since.

I borrowed the video, came back,and emailed our superintendent of curriculum, asking for a Sport Pack of 30. I shared my excitement for this new activity and she approved it, no questions asked. The timing was perfect as I did not have the gym due to our Science Fair being in the gym. So, needless to say, we were stacking cups in a classroom. EVERY student responded positively and with excitement.

I introduced it as an activity to "train their brain." I stressed using their right and left hands. For the 1st and 2nd graders, I put a red heart stamped on their right hand. They already had red yarn on their right gym shoes, being taught that "red is right." I also stressed, going from left to right as we do in reading. Once they "mastered" the above, I had them line up four sets of threes. I stressed that this would always be their "warm up" before doing any other patterns. I stressed going from left to right as they do in reading, putting words to each set - "We learn the best (up stack), when we're at West (down stack)." This helped them to remember to always go back to their left as they do in reading. I would think that this would be excellent skills for reading and math.

Once we got back into the gym, I used some of the activities in your guide as warm ups and fitness activities. I eventually worked up to the cycle for all grade levels. We have had some fun "competition" activities and I have been giving the oval decals that say, "Stack Fast" as a "prize." Now they all want one.

I invited our superintendent of curriculum to come and observe. The sixth graders were so "into it." They were sharing one timer and couldn't wait. She was so impressed with their interest and enthusiasm.

My students have expressed disappointment when mentioning that we have to move on with other units. So, I decided that since next week is our spring break, I would allow students to come to school on Tuesday and Thursday mornings, with their families, to do some "sport stacking" activities. I will have to let you know how that goes.

I did start my volleyball unit with my fourth, fifth, and sixth grades. As my classes average about 24-26 students, I decided to divide up the classes into three teams - two can be playing a game and one can work with the cups. I made up cards for each individual to record their times for 3-6-3, 6-6, 1-10-1, and the cycle. Their goal will be to improve their times each time.

We will be having a Field Day in May. I will be setting up stations with different sport stacking activities. Also, in the fall, we always have a Family Night during "Red Ribbon Week." I plan to have Speed Stacks available for family use.

As I said earlier, my mind is spinning with ideas. I cannot tell you how excited I am to have come across this activity at the right time. I have been teaching for over 30 years and I think this is one of the best "sports" that targets most of the areas with which I am concerned.


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