MANSFIELD — Second and third grade students at Sherman Elementary rode bikes in the school’s gym for about five weeks before putting their skills to the test on Friday.
The entire second grade was out on the school’s blacktop Friday morning strutting their stuff.
“I came up with this program… this is the fifth year,” said Margaet Voedisch, Adaptive Physical Education teacher for Mansfield City School districts’ kindergarten through third grades. “They have been working on their bike skills and also learning safety skills about bike riding. Today is their culminating event.”
Mansfield Senior students were invited to help coach the students through several different stations which included stopping at a stop sign, turning and looking out for motor vehicles, etc.Â
“The (high school) students are grading the (Sherman) students on their skills and then ultimately at the end, the highest two scores win a helmet,” Voedisch said.
There are multiple contests and 72 helmets to be won, she added.
“We have 250 students that are involved; six second-grade classes and six third grade classes. But I also have some special education in there.”
Voedisch said her primary goal for the unit is to teach her students the importance of wearing a helmet.Â
“That’s the ultimate goal, but practicing their bike skills is important,” she said. “Some kids don’t have a bike at home, so this is giving them the opportunity to learn to ride a bike that’s important — and also to refresh their memory about bike safety.”
