Fitness for Life with Disc Golf

School:: Walton Middle School
Subject:: Teaching Quality
Teacher:: Cynthia Jackson
: Donna Davis, Mike Davis, Ryan Gilbert
Students Impacted:: 600
Grade:: 6-8
Date:: October 4, 2021

Investor

Thank you to the following investor for funding this grant.

The St. Joe Community Foundation - $1,500.00

Impact to My Classroom

# of Students Impacted: 582

Using the funds from this grant, we were able to purchase 6 disc golf baskets and 42 discs for use in our Physical Education classes. We collaborated to research the game of disc golf, create lesson plans, and implement the activity with all 582 PE students in 6th, 7th and 8th grades. Students were given a pre-test prior to the unit, and were taught safety and game rules, major skills, etiquette and sportsmanship, scoring, and community resources with an emphasis on participating in and improving fitness for their lifetime. After playing several rounds of disc golf with their peers, students completed a post-test at the conclusion of the unit. A major benefit from the purchase of the disc golf equipment was the impact it had on our students with disabilities that were able to participate in and enjoy this new activity. Students were also given the opportunity to attend a presentation by DeFunk Disco, a Disc Golf Club in our community to learn more about courses in the area and opportunities to compete at a higher level. Students enjoyed a demonstration by several club members that have completed nationally.

The disc golf equipment will be housed at Walton Middle School and will be used for years to come by many students in PE classes.

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6th Graders Enjoying Disc Golf

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Group Picture with DeFunk Disco

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7th Graders Enjoying Disc Golf

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8th Graders Playing Disc Golf

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Presentation from DeFunk Disco Club Members

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6th Grade Student Teeing Off

Original Grant Overview

Goal

Goal: Our goal is to teach students the basic rules and skills needed to participate in the game of disc golf. This game is one of the fastest growing activities in many areas. We want to expose students to this game as a fitness activity that can be continued throughout their lifetime. Many of our students have not had the opportunity to play this game, so we want to get them interested in this lifetime fitness activity. Disc golf is an easy game to learn, anyone can participate regardless of age, gender, or financial status. It provides conditioning for the upper and lower body, aerobic exercise, and improves thinking and concentration skills. It also provides a time just to have fun with others or while playing alone.

What will be done with my students

What will be done with students:
The lessons will be implemented by each teacher during PE classes during the months of March and April of 2022.
Students will be given a pre-test to determine their prior knowledge of the rules and skills for the game of disc golf.
Lessons will be implemented by each teacher with all their students to include the following topics:
• Safety Rules and Game Rules
• Major Skills
• Etiquette and Sportsmanship
• Scoring
• Community Resources for Lifetime Fitness Activities
Each teacher will provide practice opportunities for their students using the disc golf baskets and discs purchased with grant funds. To complete the unit, students will participate in groups to complete a 9 hole course, keeping score, and submitting their score card. Teachers will consider implementing rewards for top performers.

Benefits to my students

Benefits to my students:
Students will be assessed as follows:
• Students will complete a self-assessment on their own skill level after practicing game skills to include short and long-distance throws.
• Students will work with a partner to assess skills and give feedback on areas that need improvement.
• Teachers will use completed scorecards to assess student knowledge of and ability to keep score properly.
• Teachers will administer a post test after implementation of the disc golf unit and review the data to evaluate student learning from pre to post test.
• Students will be rewarded for proving evidence of participation in disc golf in the community at a time they are not in school.

Implementation of this disc golf unit will provide exposure to a fitness activity students can continue to participate in for a lifetime. Students will get aerobic exercise, upper and lower body conditioning, and an opportunity to see the importance of fun fitness activities in our community. Over 600 students will be impacted this year, and the equipment purchased with this grant will remain at the school. This will provide an opportunity for hundreds of students in the future to use the equipment and benefit from exposure to disc golf as a lifetime fitness activity.

Budget Narrative

The items to be purchased include 6 portable disc golf targets and 42 disc golf discs. The estimate for the equipment is $1500. We will use this equipment along with additional equipment loaned from a community organization to implement a disc golf unit with all students in PE classes.