Staff Writer
PRESQUE ISLE – “What does a cat sound like?” University of Maine at Presque Isle physical education major Katherine Olscamp encouraged her second-grade students to meow as they crawled across the floor for one part of their gymnastic exercise. Fifty-five pupils from Pine Street Elementary School visited Dr. Christine Standefer’s Elementary Teaching Methods class at Gentile Hall on April 17 to learn about gymnastics, volleying, dribbling and bowling.
The trip marked the third and final visit of the semester to the class, organized by their physical education teacher and UMPI alumnus Ron McAtee. “With the new facility, we wanted to get the kids up here to see it,” explained McAtee.
According to McAtee, the students return home and talk about the experience with their parents, which in turn encourages families to take advantage of the facility and promotes exercise. McAtee also remembered the difficulty he had as an UMPI student attempting to teach a peer pretending to be a child.
“It gives my students a chance to teach actual elementary students in a controlled environment before student teaching,” said Standefer.
Olscamp and Ashlea Sanford led the Pine Street students through a series of exercises focusing on balancing. Carolyn Gildart and Bianca Castaneda demonstrated the bunting technique for volleyball to their second-graders, while Walker McIntosh taught how to be defensive while dribbling a basketball. Thad Swineheart and Bryan McNamara helped their students with their bowling stance and throw.
Pine Street pupil Natalie Bates enjoyed the gymnastics and basketball best. “I liked learning how to dribble, because he taught us how to guard so they couldn’t steal your ball,” said Bates.
Christina Skidgel would like to return to Gentile again. “I like playing in the big gym,” she said.
Jacob Dow had fun with his teachers. “They’re really smart, and they like to play with us.”
McAtee hoped for the experience to encourage families to come to Gentile Hall during rainy days this summer.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
NATALIE BATES (left) works on her bowling form with partner Zain Daudi. Christina Skidgel (right) sets up a pin for her partner during one of four lessons given by UMPI students on April 17.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
RIGHT – DURING THE VOLLEYBALL LESSON, Tyler Cray (right) and Miranda Bragan (left) partnered up to practice their technique.
Staff photo/Meridith Paterson
PRACTICING THEIR DRIBBLING, Jack Beaulieu (front) and Kyle Plourde (back) take a class at Gentile Hall on April 17.
Staff photo/Meridith Patererson
PINE STREET STUDENTS Libbie Currie (front) and Jared Kilcollins (back) balance on all fours while crawling across the gym floor at Gentile Hall. Students worked with their UMPI teachers in various gymnastic moves focused on balance.
