Conversations with students

Some conversations need no story, they speak for themselves. Ashley shares some of his most recent conversations with students. Kindergarten – Me: so how did you guys like the new stations today Student: I didn’t get to do them Me: why not? St: I wasn’t here last week, I had mucus. Diff St: What’s mucus? […]

Bowling with foxes

Upon entering the gym, the transformation is apparent; at least I thought it was. Bowling lanes are spread out, pins are standing in place, and bowling balls are resting peacefully on each lane. “Mr. Sollenberger, are we bowling?” Student after student asks. “Bowling, what would make you think that?” is my standard reply. Confused glances […]

5 myths about teaching 1 truth

When it comes to teaching, there can be many things that distract or take away from our most important objective, which is to facilitate student learning. It’s important to stand up for your beliefs and fight to make changes to improve the educational process; however, problems arise when we as educators allow these distractions to […]

Dangle Contest: Exploring why kids like to be off the ground

Up to a certain age maybe 9 or 10 almost all kids are mountaineers and rock climbers. They desire height, elevation, and a clear view. In a crowd they are lost, blinded to the events taking place. They live in a world where everything is too big. The counter is too high, their feet dangle […]

Olympics: part 2

Unlike the events of the first week, which weren’t nearly as good as my description leads you to believe; the events of week two will be placed in my permanent file to be used again in four years. We participated in ski jumping, curling, and biathlon. These events brought the Olympic Winter Games to life […]

The Olympics

The Olympic ideals of fair play, good sportsmanship, and friendly competition were on display in the gym and for a few moments the students had Olympic dreams. Today we will be participating in the Olympic Winter Games, I announced to student cheering, applause, and general merriment. I never get tired of announcing the day’s activities […]

The day the bird flew in

Students enter the gym with whoops and hollers, and immediately break into a run. Entering the large empty space must be more then they can bear. No matter how many times we go over that they are to walk in and sit on the circle, at least one class per day will completely lose their […]

Hats … gloves… and walking down the hall

I am treated to a daily highlight first thing every morning. At 9 o’clock, I walk the kindergarten students back to their classrooms. Now – I say walk, but that does no justice to the actual adventure. In order to fully explain things we must retreat to about 20 minutes earlier, this is when the […]

Proper Procedures for A Snow Day

While most lose their childlike imagination with age, it’s becoming to look like my brothers’s is only getting stronger, which makes sense. As we get better at the things that we practice, and as you will soon see, he practices a lot.  Mr. Sollenberger is the elementary phys. ed. teacher every parent should want their […]

How to workout while wearing boots

  Ashely Sollenberger is a an elementary physical education teacher, who prides himself in teaching students  the joys of fitness through movement and games with a touch of magic. He’s also my brother, and will be writing to share his observations and thoughts on teaching.    At the first hint of cold or snow, boots […]