Seated in a circle in the middle of the Athletic Center, Class 3 girls eagerly awaited the start of their Physical Education lesson. “Who wants to help me demonstrate?” asked Lower School P.E. Teacher Denise Ortiz holding up a football.
After selecting a handful from the sea of raised hands, Ms. Ortiz helped the volunteers set up in proper formation. “Remember your positioning,” she said as students gathered in an offensive line. Ms. Ortiz, acting as quarterback, received the ball from a snap and said, “Run the routes we’ve already learned!”
The students scattered across the gym and Ms. Ortiz threw the ball to an open student, who, upon completing the catch, hoisted the football in the air and shouted, “Touchdown!”
In previous classes, their teachers explained different football positions including center (who snaps the ball back to the quarterback), running back, quarterback and receiver. They were taught various terms including line of scrimmage, interception and touchdown, and learned that football is played in quarters, with each team getting up to four downs per possession.
Today, the girls were ready to put their knowledge to the test through a friendly game of flag football. After watching their classmates' demonstration, Co-Teacher Jane Anne Randolph reminded students when it’s appropriate to pull someone’s flag.
“Get your pinnies and flags and meet with your team—go!” announced Ms. Randolph. Divided up into four teams—red, yellow, green and blue—the students spread out on each side of the Athletic Center.
In a huddle, the girls quickly determined who would play which position (they were able to switch after each down), the whistle was blown and the games began!
On one side, the quarterback threw the ball and it sailed over her opponents’ heads, but the receiver just missed the catch. “Great effort!” said Ms. Randolph. “What do we call it when that happens?”
“Incomplete pass,” replied one student as the teams jogged back into position for the second down.
“Third down!” announced Ms. Ortiz on the opposite side of the room. “Get open, yellow!”
Joy, laughter and energy abounded as the girls played and worked together. As their class time came to an end, the teachers reminded the young athletes to finish by showing good sportsmanship and give each other high fives. “Great work today, everyone!”
