Snowboard tip by Brett Urbach
Lesson plans make sure you and your students get some value out of their lesson times. My wife, Jennifer, a 6th grade special education teacher does an assessment test. Based on the test results she determines a path for her and her kids to follow. As far as us snow sport instructors it’s a little different, but not much. I run through a few items in each lesson, which for me is a tried and true lesson plan approach.
W is for Warm-ups. Mentally, when the students show up I try to develop some rapport. Introductions, why they are here, goals for the day, what other sports they play; basically anything that can give me some clues regarding what cross over skills they might have. Physical warm-ups include a stretching, gear checks, generic visualizations of lesson content, then a free-form warm up run, keeping it slow and safe to warm up; usually on an easy run, with a meeting point as the goal not a skill, so they can ride without the pressure of “performing.” Naturally I am closely watching to assess the skills they posses.
I is for Inventory. And determine the student’s true ability level. Drawing from the Y- model, I look at how they use basic skills in movement patterns as well as what genetic and learned abilities they have.
F is for Focus. Now choose an attainable goal based on the warm-up runs. Come to a mutual agreement on the lesson focus. The initial goal during the introduction might have been a park lesson, but after the warm-up, they’re not ready for the park. What do you do? I try to be accommodating, and focus on improved alignment as this will enhance their abilities once they’re in the park.
S is for Shaping. Start by doing what the students can do, regardless of the lesson level they signed up for. Have them make a series of heel side rounded C turns to feel there is no need to rush an edge change. Next, link a S turns. Share the difference between heel-and toe-side turns. Now focus on round and smooth toe-side C shaped turns toe side only. Then make some symmetrical S turns. Variety and repetition develops shaping skills.
A is for Application. Allow the student time to use their skills in a series of movements that reinforce the focus with guided practice time. R is for Review. At the top of our last run, review where you started and where you ended up. They feel good all the way back to the lesson meeting area. Before your good-byes, briefly summarize again where you started and where you are going, and what’s next: review, preview, and most importantly … Thank you.
Using the WIFSAR lesson plan can be an easy with a little practice. Always have fun, be creative, and inspire lifelong passion for the mountain experience.
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