One of my favorite memories from The Orchard School is the roller skating unit.
First through eighth grade does roller skating once a year. We roller skate for two weeks before or after spring break based on the school's schedule. When it starts, the class splits into two groups so we don’t have too many kids in one gym. At the beginning of the two weeks, we learn how to fall properly so we don’t get hurt. Some parent volunteers can come in and help the kids with skating.
Then we go on with walking or practicing with mats in the middle or going outside of the mats and skating. Eventually, we start a “party” by turning off the lights and bringing out glow sticks. The party depends on whether or not the teacher thinks the students are ready.
We use a running method and continue this method all through elementary and middle school. When they first start it can be hard and but it does get easier and becomes second nature. The elementary school uses roller skates and the middle school uses rollerblades. When you are smaller and younger most kids start with velcro skates. Then as they get bigger they move to the tie skates. Sometimes we do community nights during roller skating. We have rented roller skates and blades from the same company for about 15 years.
It is always so fun and exciting to roller skate. I look forward to it every year.