Forward Roll. Cartwheel. Handstand. Power Hurdle Round Off. Back Walkover. These are just a few techniques our Irish Gifted Academy students are learning
thanks to their new connections class…tumbling.
The brainchild of Mrs. Erica NeSmith, the unique course is the first of its kind and is the result of her “doing a little digging into the standards,” as she discovered that
tumbling would be an option aligned with the Georgia Department of Education’s individualized, physical education model.
“A lot of people don’t understand how much strength and conditioning goes into tumbling,” sad NeSmith. “Having an extra physical education class to broaden
flexibility and overall body control is such a unique opportunity. I actually don’t know of another school that offers something like this during the school day.”
All Irish Gifted Academy students in Kindergarten – 8th Grade can participate, with no prior experience required.
In fact, Jeremy Brownlee, an IGA 8th Grader, discovered he had been placed in tumbling on the first day of school. The student-athlete had never taken a tumbling
class, but he says it’s made him more flexible and supported his form as both running back and defensive back for Dublin Middle School’s football team.
“I tell my friends they should be taking tumbling because it helps me be more athletic on the field and on the court,” he said. “I take more strides. Plus, Mrs. NeSmith told me
about college football players who take ballet, which is similar.”
Classmate Ze’Quiah Blackshear agrees, adding that tumbling has become her favorite class. Growing up, Blackshear watched YouTube videos trying to teach herself how to
tumble. So, while she started the school year knowing a few techniques, she says there are still a lot of lessons to learn.
Original source can be found here.
