Chicago Waldorf School

Pentathlon Primer...10 April 2008

...or What Every 5th Grade Parent Needs to Know About the Pentathlon

Let me begin by asking you this: what do you know about Django Reinhart? Did you know he achieved musical virtuosity on the guitar—even though he was missing several fingers?

Do you know that story about a tiny baby born, and not expected to live, who later had polio, and was not expected to walk, but surprised everyone by winning four gold medals in sprinting at the Olympics when she was 20 years old? Her name was Wilma Rudolph.

How about this one? Who was the only swimmer to get a standing ovation during the Sydney Olympics and not win a medal? He was a wild card participant from a small African nations entered in the 100 meter freestyle at the lasts minute. His technique was awful, he had never before been in a hated pool, and had never swum a 100 meter race before. He was the lone competitor in his heat. He jumped in the p9ool and nearly drowned completing the distance, but he competed or the first time even for his county. I don’t know his name or his county, but I will never forget watching him swim those laps.

My point is this: the Django Reinhart story is about more than music, the Wilma Rudolph story is about more than sports and, this lone swimmer’s story is about more than winning and losing. What inspires us about stories like these is that they describe universally human struggles, triumphs of the human spirit and strength and dignity in the face of adversity.

So… why the pentathlon? Why in 5th grade? Why those 5 events? If you have followed the recommendations in our curriculum, then your children are at a threshold between the imaginative cooperative games of childhood and the competitive combative sports of adolescence. It is true that they have played together, and next year they will oppose each other.

This year they stand all alone. Individually they must meet these five events and the challenges of technique, discipline, competition and consequences. The words “gymnasium” and “gymnastics” come from the Greek word meaning naked. As you probably know, the ancient Olympians competed in the nude. May be not physically, but certainly emotionally, you child will compete unclothed, exposed.

The 5 archetypal events of the pentathlon can be described in terms of apparatus and physical technique. But, for our purposes what is significant about them is the soul experience of the child as they approach each event. At the Pentathlon prizes are awarded in each event for both Truth and Beauty. Truth is the empirical, measurable result (distance, time, etc.) and Beauty is the gesture or outward expression of the inner spirit.

Here then, is what is significant about each of the events – both what is required physically as well as what soul qualities they represent.

JAVELIN:
Truth – thrower must be balanced and centered throughout throw, and throw must be long and stick in the ground at a 45 degree angle
Beauty – thrower must maintain personal center while connecting with the peripheral dome of the sky. They Greeks believed the javelin carried their spirit to the Gods.

DISCUS:
Truth – an inwardly spiral throw is released from the index finger and spins outward for a great distance
Beauty – the weight of the discus is transformed into lightness

LONG JUMP:
Truth – The foot must be before the jump line, take-off on one foot, landing on two fgeet, arms inolced, sitting position in the air, greatest distance jumped
Beauty – forward momentum is changed into flight, the blind will is transformed into conscious action

RUNNING:
Truth – to cross the finish line first
Beauty – to keep your eye and energy focused on the goal in the distance

WRESTLING:
Truth – to push your opponents out of the ring
Beauty – looking your opponent in the eye, maintaining your own space while respecting theirs and still being able to make your point

PHYSICAL DIFFERENCE AND INDIVIDUAL STYLE:

While there are physical techniques to consider in each event, judges are asked to take the more general guidelines to heart when a child presents with a physical difference. Children with physical differences will necessarily make adaptations, and if they make these adaptations while preserving the requirements of each event, the balance and economy of movement and showing intention and resolve, they should still be considered eligible for beauty. There must be a tolerance for individual style, but this appreciation for effort should not become sentimental as all the children are struggling to do their best with each challenge presented. The attempt is to allow an equality of chance in participation with the group, and not a singling out, or advantage.

AWARDS:

At the Greek Feast, each athlete will be honored with a medal of participation, and their unique contribution will be pointed out quietly by the judges. Winners of the events in either Truth or Beauty are given a laurel wreath. It is no accident that the medal is permanent while the laurel wreath soon deteriorates. The root of the word “competitor” is the same as the root for “compassion”. It is because we agree to come together that any competition happens. The more skillful our opponents are, the more satisfying our competition is. We should be grateful that we are allowed to compete, and that others agree to come to the field to compete against us. Our victory has nothing to do with the opponent, and everything to do with our own mastery of skills. When athletes remember this, they are able to conduct themselves with dignity in the course of competition.

CITY-STATES:

Students are arranged into teams representing 6 Greek City-States, and each City-State is a mixture of students from all the schools. Every student participates in every event (unless an injury prevents full participation). The City-State leaders are usually class teachers, and the Event Leaders are gym teachers.

SOCIAL ASPECT:

The 5th graders will have fun, make new friends, and typically will become more interested in the performances of others than obsessed with their own victory. Other things you can expect to happen at the Pentathlon are:

• Victories
• Disappointments
• Courage
• Fear
• Bad weather
• Hilarious mishaps
• Judging decisions that you don’t understand
• Chivalry
• Ripped pants and wet socks
• Slippery grass
• Tears
• Laughter
• Some type of insect event, ranging from leeches to worms…and beyond

Alum Caitlin Flannery, who is currently a senior at Earlham, met her college roommate at her 5th grade pentathlon. This type of social bonding is not unusual.

DO’S AND DON’TS TO ENSURE A POSITIVE EXPERIENCE

DON’T:
• Add to the pressure of the day. Let it be a matter between your child and her discus
• Argue or openly disagree with judges or teachers. We, as adults, must model dignified behavior
• Attempt to coach your child before or during the games. (We use modified forms of these events that are more appropriate for fifth graders, and your expert advice could confuse their technique)
• Pull your children away from their group/City-State. Children are asked to stay with their City-State during the event. You can visit with them at the Greek Feast.
• Videotape – even if you do it in your phone or camera. You will show it to your child later and challenge their inner feeling of magnificence. Trust me, they feel mightier than they will look – no matter how skillful a videographer you are.
• Worry – it will be a wonderful day!

DO:
• Be supportive and understanding rather than critical
• Be confident that your child has the physical and emotional tools to handle the experience
• Always focus on the social aspect of the games and on your child’s own personal best. Not matter how gifted the athlete, there will be at least one event that is difficult. And, even for a child who is not typically considered athletic, there will be one event at which they shine and excel. That is the real treasure of the Pentathlon.

I am happy to report that this year, we have parents, friends and alumni that have offered to judge and so the 5th grade parents will be free to spectate. We should be truly grateful for their sacrifice of time and commitment to the event. I hope that in the future some of you will consider taking on this task to reciprocate and allow future parents to watch their child on this special day.

-Andrea Shaffer

Gym, Rumble Club, Circus Club and Our Curriculum27 February 2008

GYM
Please be aware of the days on which your child has gym. Pay special attention to the footwear that is worn on these days. Gym shoes, athletic shoes and sneakers are acceptable. CROCS, clogs, sandals, and boots are problematic for our floor, and for the safety and health of your child.

Please refer to the dress guidelines in the parent handbook for grades 6-12. In grades 6-8, children will be marked down for reasons of non-participation. This may include, inappropriate dress, behavior, illness, injury, or tardiness. If your child has an injury that prevents or modifies their full participation in gym class, I emphatically ask that you provide me with a note from yourself or a doctor. Extended or repeated modification will require a doctor’s note. Thanks for your cooperation with this request as it gives me the information to operate responsibly.

In grades 6-8, I give each student three “star days.” These are days the student may use at their discretion to sit out of class for whatever reason, no questions asked. Those students who choose to participate in an extra-curricular activity at school will be given two additional star days.

THE GYM CURRICULUM
The gym curriculum changes with the growing needs of the students, and according to the developmental model used throughout the school. In first and second grade children are given ample time to play freely and socially outside. They experience the seasons, and come into full contact with the elements, and each other.
In third and fourth grade, students will have two gym lessons each week for 45 minutes each time. Each game is introduced pictorially and imaginatively. Basic movement skills are introduced in the context of games where children are medicine men, lions, pirates or sharks. Through these games, they learn proficiency with throwing, catching, running, jumping, climbing and tumbling.
In fifth grade a good deal of the year is spent learning the five classic events of the Greek Pentathlon: javelin, discus, running, long jump and wrestling. These individual events, still approached out of the larger imagination of the ancient olympics, are a natural way to introduce technique. The year’s work culminates with the students participating in a two-day pentathlon event with five other Waldorf schools.
In grades six through eight, the students experience a mixture of individual and team sports, as well as physical artistic activities. These might include archery, soccer, football, tumbling, circus arts, dance, juggling, volleyball, basketball, and track and field.

THE WORLD IN MOVEMENT
Throughout the gym curriculum there are opportunities to experience the games, dances, songs and sports of other countries and cultures. Younger grades often learn hand-clapping games in other languages, do dances from a variety of cultures, and even learn jump rope, hopscotch or freeze tag with rules adapted from cultures other than our own.
Older students have learned Latin dance, Tinikling, Hip-Hop, and Lindy-hopping. Traditional American team sports are taught alongside sports that are more popular in other parts of the world: team handball, Kabbadhi, and Chinese Yo-yo are examples. If you have a song, dance or game from another culture that you enjoyed, please share it with me!
Classes at our school are co-ed. By providing a proper variety of activities, students will experience their strengths and weaknesses, regardless of their gender, size or body type. Gymnastics, sports and dance offer a natural way for all the students to interact, experience conflict, touch and problem solve in ways that are impossible in other class settings.

CIRCUS CLUB
Circus begins the first week in March.
Grades 6-12—TUESDAYS 3:30-5:30
New this year is a chance for older more experienced students to collaborate with other circus professionals, and trained adult and adolescent teachers from CIRCESTEEM. Students may work on projects and apparatus of their own choosing, may choose their own music for their performance, and can collaborate with students who hail from Sudan, Ghana and…Chicago. I certainly hope our older students will show up and raise the bar or performance.
Grades 3-12—WEDNESDAY, FRIDAY, 3:00-5:00
These classes will be led by the Actor’s Gymnasium and will introduce students to all the circus apparatus in the gym. They will also have time to explore and practice routines and prepare for a performance on May 23rd.
Students who need to return to after-care at the end of class will be escorted over by Ms. Shaffer.

BOOSTER CLUB
How can you be involved with the Athletic Program? We always need help during home games, working the scoreboard, hosting the various schools that come to our gym. We could use the enthusiastic help of parents of students at any age to host visiting schools. And, if you have an enthusiasm for the 5th grade pentathlon, you can train to be a judge, help with set-up or help to invent ceremonies and processions at the event. Whatever your talent, please call us if you have enthusiasm, and we can work together to make our athletic program strong and fun for all the students!

RELAX…. IT’S JUST RUMBLE CLUB
Currently being offered on Mondays (beginning March 3) is a Theatre Games Implosion class taught by Blaine Swen. This class is open to grades 3-5 and will feature fun, focusing and collaborative games. This is an extension of the classes offered earlier this year by Mark Piebaga, but new students will find the classes equally accessible and enjoyable.
On Tuesdays, Mama Sadira and Brother Assane are back! They are focusing on dances and culture of West Africa. Children in grades 1-4 are welcome to come and dance and sing and even speak Woloff—the language of Senegal.
REGISTRATION FORMS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE MAIN OFFICE.
This program was intended to provide relaxed social classes, that require little, even sporadic committment. You do not have to sign up for all the classes, and are actually (quite radically) intended to have a laid back and a la carte approach to the program. This is in contrast to other programs in the city, and even to the committment necessary for our sports teams in middle school and high school.

The offerings will be expanded this year, and eventually will be filling up our lower eurythmy room Monday-Wednesday. The offerings might include more ethnic dance, theatre games, clowning, fencing, tumbling, puppetry, and perhaps even science and ecology classes. Thanks for your interest—-but please don’t panic, there should be time and variety for everyone to participate in and enjoy.

Students will be regularly dismissed from class and will proceed to the lower eurythmy room. They can either leave their items in the classroom, or bring them outside in the front hallway. At 4:30, Mrs. Bowman, I or the after-care staff will escort those children over to after-care who need it, and the other children will wait in the front hallway to be picked up by car pools and parents. Children are not permitted to wait outside.

Refunds will not be be given for unattended classes. Please give all registration forms to Kristen Pellicori at the front desk, and call or e-mail her for availability to individual classes.