Joseph S. Bruno Montessori Academy

Physical Education

Welcome to the physical education program at Bruno Montessori Academy. Our students thoroughly enjoy the use of our outdoor and indoor campus. Our school provides fantastic opportunities for all students to enjoy a well-rounded and developmentally appropriate physical education program.

Our program recognizes and promotes the concept that physical activity provides opportunities for health, mental, emotional, physical, and social development. The curriculum includes a foundation of basic movement and manipulative skills so that the students will experience success and feel comfortable during present and future physical activity pursuits. The activities included in the program are designed to promote physical fitness to develop motor skills, to instill knowledge and understanding of rules, concepts, and strategies, and to teach students to work as part of a team, or as individuals in a wide variety of sport activities.

Ropes Course:

I would like to introduce this new part of our physical education curriculum to you so that you will have a better understanding of what your children are experiencing in physical education class. Our new ropes course is a challenging outdoor personal development and team building activity which consists of elements that take place on the ground or only a few feet above the ground.

Why a Ropes Course?

George Hebert is credited as the originator of the “modern” ropes course. A French naval officer in the early 1900’s, Hebert developed his own method of physical education to train in what he called the “Natural Method,” which included the development of physical and moral qualities in an outdoor environment. Drawing from his naval background, Hebert patterned some of his obstacles on obstacles found on the deck of ships.

Low ropes courses consist of a series of real and imaginary obstacles designed to challenge groups and individuals to work together to accomplish a task. The classification of low ropes courses can be further broken into several types of activities:

Cooperative Games, Socialization Activities, and Ice-Breakers: these fun activities are designed to reduce inhibitions and break down barriers. These activities are often not based on a defined task but on a sequence of events. Users are often placed in positions where they are encouraged to try new things that may place them outside their normal comfort zones.
Group Initiative: problems involving real and imaginary ground based obstacles (either natural or constructed) that challenge a group to pool their resources and work together to find solutions. Success is achieved only when all members have contributed to the outcome.
Trust-building games: activities designed to provide members the opportunity to demonstrate their trust in other members of the group through a series of sequenced actions.
Low Ropes Elements: a series of cables, ropes, and obstacles strung between trees or poles 12 to 18 inches above the ground. Low rope elements present tests of physical strength, stamina, agility, balance, and flexibility, and invite participants to confront such emotional issues as the fear of falling, the fear of failure, and the fear of losing control. Risk is managed by group members who assume critical spotting roles.

The Bruno’s Ropes Course program has been designed to meet a number of educational, developmental, and recreational goals. Our program enhances group interaction, problem-solving, leadership, cooperation, trust, teamwork, and improves student’s self esteem.
If you have any questions or would simply like to tour the Bruno’s Ropes Course please email me at Coach Adam Young