Climbing Unit
Our latest PE unit was climbing. We spent the past four to five weeks climbing at the climbing wall. The first time I climbed, I was nervous that the better, more experienced, athletic kids would think I was a really bad climber, because I haven’t had much climbing experience. I was also nervous that the my belayer wouldn’t be experienced, either, and would drop me. I’ve learned to overcome my fears, and go straight for it, and eventually my fears were washed away with the satisfaction of reaching the top. I realized that even if I’m a bad climber, anyone would be eager to help me be a better one.
I think that since I started climbing, I’ve improved in my climbing speed and confidence. In the beginning, I started out slow and embarrassed to climb around other, better climbers. Now that I’ve practiced, I’ve gotten much better. Also, in the beginning of our unit, I didn’t know how to belay anyone, so I was scared on my first try that I was going to drop the climber, but I was still eager to learn how to belay. With every class that passed, I got better and better, and by the time we only had four classes left, I could let people down without getting help, and was ecstatic that I knew how to belay.In our climbing unit, we used the School-wide Learning Results (SLRs) to help us learn how to climb and belay in a fun way. The SLRs I used were to Learn Enthusiastically and Communicate Effectively. I learned enthusiastically because I was eager to learn how to belay and climb better. I didn’t let anything in the way of me achieving my goals, except for the matter of how much time we had to do it. I communicated effectively because I had to ask for directions or give directions to a climber who was climbing blindfolded.
Our class set some goals for our next climbs. I wanted to try hard courses, climb blind-folded, or set the new record for one course for girls in eight grade. I’ve achieved all my goals except for the record because I didn’t have enough time to complete it. Another goal I achieved was to climb attached to another climber. I was attached to Sahi by a rope, and we had to reach the top before the other did.
This climbing unit has really inspired me to climb and belay outside of school, hoping to get better, and maybe even try abseiling, which is kind of like climbing, but instead you climb down a wall. When climbing, my muscles ached and hurt, but it felt like a satisfying pain. This unit helped me tone my body and muscles, making me feel bolder and broader, and more athletic. I’m proud of my achievements in this unit, and hope I can achieve more throughout my life.
