The art of Curling

On Wednesday October 28, 2009 it was my groups turn to teach and we where set to teach first. Lab C is described as an International lab and it is taught in pairs, I began the lesson and my partner, Ricky Sternkopf, closed the lesson. The idea behind Lab C was to find information on a game that originated in a different country, while reaching the idea with my partner we came a cross the idea of teaching the Olympic sport of curling. When looking up information on we need to discover some history and culture.

During Lab C we got paired up with partners and my partner was Ricky Sternkopf. When looking up information on curling we decided that I was going to teach first. Together we needed to create a lesson plan with different tasks. Before we could get set to teach we needed to think of how we where going to create equipment and I thought for the stone in curling we could use one gallon ice tea jugs. After planning on using these ice tea jugs we needed to get to work and drink nine one gallon ice tea jugs. As we began getting our collection of “stones” together we asked our roommates if they could contribute and they did. We

planned on freezing the jugs and performing a test run on Monday, it was a good thing we planned on this because some of our jugs cracked and therefore where no longer good. Then we decided to just fill them full of water and glue the tops on, this worked. We had brought nine jugs the amount we needed for the class, and Ricky had a great idea of bringing an extra just in case. Sure enough on the way inside the building one slipped and exploded all over the parking lot, good thing we planned ahead.

Curling was originated in Scotland and is played on the ice; it is very similar to shuffleboard. So as I got ready to teach Curling I needed to insure that my classmates would be safe on the ice. Before I began my lesson I described the risks and dangers that will take place in the ice arena, I provided helmets for every student only one student decided to where a helmet. I was very nervous as I began to teach because I did not want to fall during my lesson and/or I did not want any of my students to get hurt. To start on the ice I had the students slide their feet around the ice so they could get used to the slippery surface. As I began the lesson I talked about how the Olympic sport of curling started and talked a little bit about the country and its language. After describing the three “L’s” of curling, Locate, Lean and Let Go, I incorporated the language of the Scot’s using there number system to help with the lesson. Instead of saying one, two, three, I counted and had my students count using Ane, Twe, and Tre. Through out the lesson as the students passed the stone back and forth I counted, had them count with me, and I asked students to using the Scottish language saying Ane, Twe, and Tre. Also I asked students what the cues where during the task having them tell the class what they where so they would remember the three “L’s”.

Through out the lesson I could tell that the students where having a blast using the draw throw, to send there “stone” to their partner. I saw that some of my students where getting this task very easy so I remembered my activity progression and had some of them switch to there left had and try to get the “stone” into the house, which is the target area. I felt during my lesson that I hit every target on the C-9 sheet that was required. During the task I was able to give feedback to over half of the class, which is what is desired. Also when looking at my videos you can see that I managed my time very well leaving lots of room for the activity. As you can see from my time coding sheet that I was able to accomplish everything desired.

Teaching curling was a great experience for Ricky and I. I believe that it was an outstanding experience for the students to get into a new environment such as the ice arena. Teaching on the ice is an experience in it self because of all the safety concerns and the different sounds that the arena produces. I really enjoyed the teaching of an international sport, and also having to think of how to create my own equipment.