You are probably wondering, “what in the world is this thing called The Whittle?”
Your children have probably come home from school one day this week and tried to explain what it actually is and why we are using it in Physical Education class. Here is a little history…
The Movement Educator.
If you attended the Livingston Public Schools as a child you may remember the Whittle, but for many it is entirely new. As part of our Adventure Education/Climbing Curriculum, The Whittle travels to all 6 Elementary Schools in Livingston. Students will receive 1 month of lessons in their Physical Education classes each school year. Students absolutely love this unit and look forward to its return each year!
The Whittle is a large climbing apparatus with 10, 3-dimensional A-frame towers each measuring 8 feet tall. The towers connect to various types of crossovers ranging from colorful bridges, to cargo nets, ladders, ropes, boxes, platforms and balance beams. The Whittle challenges not only the Muscular Strength/Endurance and Flexibility Components of Physical Fitness, it also teaches children to safely challenge themselves by choice. This is similar to choosing “just the right book,” if you choose a challenge that is too low or high for you it is difficult to grow and improve. Everyone’s level of challenge is unique to them and hard to compare to one another.
Possibly the biggest benefit to our students is building Social/Decision Making skills. The Whittle challenges students to critically think and problem solve not just the climbing challenges but what that looks like together with other learners of different levels of ability and with varying climbing experience. Climbers practice building patience and empathy as well as communication and cooperation skills. All of these skills are directly connected to real world life skills which students will use in other areas of school, on the field, on the playground and at home.
Please take a few minutes over the next month to discuss with your children what lessons and takeaways they have learned while using The Whittle in class. Also, in order for your children to climb and move the safest way possible please continue to send them to school on P.E. days with comfortable clothing, preferably layers as well as well-fitting sneakers.
Thank you and continue to climb on!
Mr. Purdue and Mr. Malleo
