I highlight how much running a group did during a game, and then ask them to imagine, “what if I told them just to run the same distance, no game.” Kids would hate that. But insert it in a game, and the effort comes effortlessly.
If you are interested in how different coaches and educators approach their work, this podcast is worth exploring beyond just this episode.
Snow Snake is a Native American game where a spear-like stick is slid as far as possible down a snowy track; the person who sends the snake the farthest wins. While the rules are simple, the game itself carries deep cultural, historical, and practical meaning.
Across the mountains of southern Colombia and northern Ecuador, there is a sport that has been played for centuries but is largely unknown outside of the region. The game is called Chaza, and for many communities in the Andean region of Nariño, it represents far more than just competition. It is a cultural tradition, a social gathering, and a sport that has connected generations of players.
Throughout my teaching experience, whenever students ask "why" they need to know something, I make sure to have a solid answer. Because if I don’t, guess what, those kids are immediately going to tune me out. If I can’t answer why, then why should they need to know it? The phrases "It’s good to know” or “to be a well-rounded student” do not spark interest. There needs to be a reason why the student is going to pay the mental cost of attention to learn something, and a good explanation can motivate and inspire.
