The Karate school I used to attend had a S.T.O.R.M. team of higher ranked students who assisted in teaching classes. Working off of this concept, I have recently developed a Super Team of Role Models in our building. This group of fifth graders (the oldest children in our school) becomes my "special" helpers in all aspects of Physical Education. Their biggest job is to help the children in our two special needs preschool programs during their weekly physical education class. They also assist with first and second grade classes on occasion. Other responsibilities include: helping with set-up and break-down of equipment, filing, acting as ambassadors during special PE night activities, trying out new activities and working to make them better before presenting them to a class, working as Special Olympics volunteers, and helping with the set-up of field day.

The students who are interested in this program fill out a mini-job application which includes a recommendation from a teacher who knows them well. Students are interviewed and asked questions about why they think they make a good role model and why they would like to be a S.T.O.R.M. team member. Students are then selected to represent each classroom in the fifth grade.

After being selected, the group attended an aftershcool Leadership Workshop in which cooperative games and initiatives were used to get them thinking as a group and working toward helping others rather than for themselves. Students also have monthly meetings during recess to improve and learn new skills in the many areas needed to work with younger children and children with various different abilities.

Variations:

Allow all students to take part in the program on a rotating basis rather than just selecting a few.

Email this best practice!