Published: October 28, 2005 10:15 am         

Let's get horizontal!

Northern Hills rock wall challenges students

Northern Hills Elementary School physical education students are going horizontal.

They’re toning their muscles and challenging their minds on a horizontal rock wall, believed to be a one-of-a-kind structure for Edmond Public Schools elementary sites.

Some Northern Hills students are budding mountaineers, climbing the wall like Spiderman.

But the wall at the elementary school is a “horizontal traverse,” with the students moving sideways rather than up, up and away.

Because climbing is a never-ending series of calculations, its appeal is as much intellectual as physical, said PE teacher Debbi King.

For many children, climbing is a natural instinct, free from the bounds of size and shape.

“Climbing provides a pathway to physical success for those who lack the upper-body strength required for lifting, and support can be distributed between arms and legs,” King said.

Climbing on rocks has become a positive experience for those who would have otherwise hidden behind them, King said.

The shape was intentional, done to reduce the risk of injury, said King. She pitched the idea for the wall to EPS administrators, who wanted to ensure it was built with optimum safety in mind.

The wall is contained in a room that can be locked. Padding on the floor catches students who happen to fall.

With a horizontal wall, measures like climbing harnesses and being tethered to the end of a belay rope are not needed as they would be with a vertical wall, King said.

On a horizontal wall no student is ever climbing above another. They are directed to proceed in an orderly manner, with no more than one climber on a “block” of wall space at any given time.

For elementary students, the wall is a challenge, with rocks — which can be moved — and hoops to pass through, King said. Moving horizontally is strenuous, excellent exercise for developing bodies.

“It’s one of their favorite things to do,” said Christy Neasbitt, a fellow PE teacher. “It’s harder than it looks—the ones challenged just work harder.”

The rock wall challenges students at all skill levels, Neasbitt said.

Students who climb gain increased flexibility, good cardiovascular exercise, helps them develop creative problem solving, teamwork, self confidence and increased concentration, King said.

Third-graders Madison Mirkes, Dawson Brown, Liam Spicer and Emma Hall climbed the wall Wednesday.

Brown said the hoops were the most difficult part of the wall, which helps build muscle strength.

“It’s fun. It’s hard,” Brown said.

Last year it was easier to climb before obstacles were added, he said.

Brown is an experienced tree climber. He said there are two of them he climbs in his yard at home.

Mirkes, who climbed a rock wall at daycare, said the various sizes of the rocks and planning how to get past the hoops make the wall very challenging. So do sweaty palms, she said.

She said the wall is helping make her stronger.

“I thought it was really fun and challenging,” Hall said. “I think it’s really cool that our school has a rock wall.”

Planning how to traverse the wall made her think, Hall said.

Spicer said the wall was challenging and good for developing stronger bones.

“I like to be challenged,” he said. “Sometimes I lose. Sometimes I win.”

Spicer said he had to figure out which rock shapes were better to grip than others.

The wall was built last year in an area able to be secured. It was first used in Oct. 2004. Bits and pieces have been gradually added.

Neasbitt said educators from other district sites have come to check out the Northern Hills wall.

(Mark Schlachtenhaufen may be reached via e-mail at ms@edmondsun.com.)

     

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