High school students from freshmen to seniors working together: not just to row in sync but to take care of every aspect of the event. Crew teams had to carry these long boats past other teams and spectators to put them in the water. Some of the boats were on huge trailers and must be lifted and carried down, others were in a boat house. It's amazing to see all the students working together to move these awkward, heavy boats from one place to another. The coxswain (a student) gives directions on land, as well as, in the water. The instructions are called out one at a time to make sure no one gets hit in the head with a boat and to move the boat safely into and out of the water. It was truly like a choreographed dance.
Once they reach the water its a different kind of instruction, "Lift" you can hear being called. Then, "Roll away from me". Then, "Lower the boat". The boat is finally in the water. Then the coxswain calls, "Starboard get the oars, port hold." The rowers who will be rowing on the starboard side, go and get the oars for all the rowers, while the port side rowers hold the boat to keep it from drifting. When they return with the oars, each person locks their oar in place. Then the coxswain calls out, "Starboard, one leg in." Then, "Starboard, second in, and sit." Finally, "Port, one leg in" and "Port, second leg in, sit." The boat stays still in the water while all of this is going on. Eight students, boats, water, big oars- no one was injured, no boats were swamped, and everyone listened and followed as their coxswain leader call out the instructions. While racing, getting out of the boat and taking the boat out of the water, each activity has another set of instructions!
Did you notice in all of this, what I noticed? There were no adults leading the way. Not one. Yes, adults were there, as coaches, volunteers, spectators, and family- but at no time did they need to step in and "take over". It was very impressive. I didn't know any of these kids other than Annie, and yet, I was so proud I thought my heart would burst. Isn't this what we want for all our students- the independence to get things done with guidance and training without always holding their hands? That's the analogy of what I see in teaching: The teachers provide instruction and training or "coaching" while the students learn to take charge of their learning. There's no other way to prepare kids for life after high school- we all need to hold on to the bike seat for just a little while, and then- just let go.
For more information, PBS has an article on crew (written at just my level of understanding) at:
http://pbskids.org/itsmylife/body/teamsports/article4.html
Lifting high to leave the water. Getting out, one leg, one "side" at a time.
