Winona Area Public SchoolsMinnesota seasons provide outdoor opportunities all year long and Winona Middle School Physical Education teachers embrace this by offering Outdoor Education as an option for students. Units in Outdoor Education include but are not limited to fishing, archery, swimming, geocaching, snowshoeing, canoeing and kayaking. The first day of Outdoor Education, students have the opportunity to select all units they are interested in.
One of the students’ favorite units is fishing. Students have a range of experiences in the outdoors; some students spend their summers on the river fishing while others may have never picked up a fishing pole. During this unit, Physical Education teacher Mr. Bill Jacobs walks through the official MN Fishing Rules and Regulations. Students are introduced to the variety of fish species they could encounter, how to use a reel, cast the pole and tie knots. After learning the basics of fishing, students are able to execute their fishing skills including taking the fish off the hook. As the unit comes to the end, students complete a skills test and celebrate with a class fish fry. “Teaching students how to fish and take advantage of the Minnesota outdoors is a lifetime passion of mine. It is rewarding to see students learn skills that they can use in their everyday life and potentially become a hobby,” said Bill Jacobs.
Living on the Mississippi offers students many opportunities to be on or in the water. Thus, canoeing, kayaking and swimming are also important units in Outdoor Education. Swimming is a lifelong skill and students learn basic swimming strokes, water safety, survival in the water and lifeguarding. It is important for students to be confident and safe on the water as well. Students learn the correct names for each part of the canoe and kayak and how to get back in the watercraft if ejected. These activities allow all students, including students with disabilities to enjoy recreational opportunities. Natalie Runningen, an 8th grade student enrolled in Outdoor Education said, “I really like the experience of canoeing and fishing. I have never been able to do that until now. I think it is fun and I can learn how to do these things.”
Outdoor Education class has been successful due to the dedication of the Winona Middle School Physical Education teachers. Teachers have applied and been awarded grants from the Winona Middle School PTA and the Foundation for Winona Area Public Schools. These grants have provided the Outdoor Education class with snowshoes, kayaks, life jackets, winter clothing and more. Local businesses such as Winona Canoe Company and Watlow also are large contributors in providing the opportunity of Outdoor Education for our Winona Middle School students.
