Project Description: The project consists in teaching the horseback riding basics to kids (8-10 years old) every Saturday in Club Ecuestre Huachipa
Duration: April 2, 2016 to June 6, 2016
Duration: April 2, 2016 to June 6, 2016
Investigation
Like I've mentioned hundreds of times, I have a true passion for horse back riding, and I have been pursuing it ever since I was a child. As expected, the first thing that came to my mind when I thought about potential CAS projects, was to do something involving horses. I though about continuing my training intensively and use that as a project, yet I wasn't convinced by the idea because I wanted to do something that would add value to my community not just to myself. After countless hours of thinking and brainstorming with my peers, I decided that I was going to pivot from my initial idea and try something completely new. I combined my passion for horseback riding, and my ability to coexist with children to form my ideal CAS project: teaching the basics of horseback riding to kids.
This project is a perfect fit for me because
This project is a perfect fit for me because
The Investigation in this project consists in...
- Using My Previous Knowledge in horseback riding: After riding in Club Ecuestre Huachipa for 5 years, I have a pretty vast understanding of the basics of horseback riding, therefore most of the preliminary research is done. Nevertheless, I am reviewing all my previous knowledge in order to have it fresh in my mind, and have no trouble explaining it to the kids. As a part of my reviewing, I am also taking notes of everything I know, in order to have a physical copy in case I forget something.
- Finding Out How Kids Learn Best: Everyone learns differently and through different strategies. Of course we can't customize a horseback riding class to fit every kid's learning style, but what we can do is try to find a way to teach all kids in a fun and interesting way. In order to do this I will be conducting a research where I will be looking at ways to engage kids between 5 to 10 years old, and help them be focused throughout the whole class.
- Finding Horses That Are A Perfect Match For Each Kid: A huge part of learning to horseback ride is learning how to connect with your horse. Specially for a beginner, riding the wrong horse can be a complete setback in the learning process. Therefore it is my duty to pair each kid in the class with the best possible horse that fits with their personality. To do this I must review each kid's strengths and weaknesses in horseback riding it, and pair him/her with a horse that is able to satisfy those qualities. We have to keep in mind that we are somehow limited because the school only owns about 10 - 15 horses, and not all of them are available at all times.
- What do they need to improve: This is a crucial strategy in the investigation stage, and I would say it's the most effective ones. This strategy consists in taking what was learned in the evaluation stage, and figuring out how can the mistakes pointed out in the evaluation be corrected and used as ways to improve. Using this information we are able to specifically highlight what each kid is doing wrong, so we can know what needs more work and what is already mastered.
Plan
The planning stage is a crucial stage for this project. This stage consists in coordinating everything that has to be done in order to have a successful class. This project required a whole lot of planification, due to that when working with kids its always better to be prepared and avoid improvisation at all costs.
Me being a girl who constantly forgets everything, I decided that if I was going to take this job seriously I should organize myself to make sure that everything stays as planned. In order to do that, I created this organizational chart that states everything that is planned for each lesson, with the dates and times. By doing this I can now be sure of how much time I should be spending on each activity, and what activities we should be doing on each day. Of course this is just a base plan, which means that it can completely change depending on what the kids need to improve. This is why before every lesson, the teacher and I sit together to review this base plan, and make any modifications if needed.
Me being a girl who constantly forgets everything, I decided that if I was going to take this job seriously I should organize myself to make sure that everything stays as planned. In order to do that, I created this organizational chart that states everything that is planned for each lesson, with the dates and times. By doing this I can now be sure of how much time I should be spending on each activity, and what activities we should be doing on each day. Of course this is just a base plan, which means that it can completely change depending on what the kids need to improve. This is why before every lesson, the teacher and I sit together to review this base plan, and make any modifications if needed.
Action
This stage takes place the day of the class and includes grooming the horses for the lesson, teaching the actual lesson, and unsadling the horses. Even though there is a lot of preparation and planning for this day, still this stage is the most stressful of all, due to the responsibility that I have. It takes a lot of responsibility and dedication to have five small kids on top of horses and make sure they stay safe. This is why this stage is such a challenge, due to that I am responsible for the kids in my class and therefore I have to make sure that the class is fun and active, yet at the same time safe and cautious.
Reflections
Day 1: What Happens Behind The Scenes
April 9, 2016
Learning Outcomes: Philosophy
Learning Outcomes: Philosophy
As I've mentioned before, I have always had a real passion for horses. Therefore, horses were the first thing that came to my mind when I was assigned to conduct a CAS project. After speaking to Ms. Patiño, we both agreed that going to ride wasn't enough for a CAS project, due to that it's something I'm doing anyways. We agreed that in order to create an exemplifying CAS project, I needed to take something I was passionate about, and somehow add value to the community through it. In this way I would be connecting the pillar or passion with the pillar of service. This is how I came up with the idea of working as an assistant horseback riding teacher at Club Ecuestre Huachipa. |
After coming to ride to this club for more than five years, of course it felt strange to be back as a teacher. I confess it's a completely different experience to be there as a teacher than it was as a student. My first experience in this CAS project came when I first arrived at the stables. As a student I usually looked at Claudio and Juan saddle the horses and try to learn how to do it, but now that i was actually working with them I was expected to saddle a horse on my own. This task was not troubling at all due to that I new the procedure exactly. What was troubling is that we where working against the clock, and had to have the horses saddled before the students arrived. Until this moment I had never realized how much was done behind the scenes in order to get the horses ready.
The same thing happened after the class ended and we needed to unsaddle the horses and groom them before their next lesson. I was shocked to learn that actually the stable work that is done before and after the lesson is much harder and challenging than the lesson itself. The amount of work and things the stablemen have to take care of is unbelievable, and the fact that they have to be extremely efficiently to get the horses ready on time for the lesson is admirable. I am very glad I chose |
this CAS project, because now I'm not only developing skills of my own, but I am learning to appreciate what others do for me. I would have never imagined the amount of work that Claudio and Juan the stablemen put into the horses if I hadn't had the chance to work with them and experience it myself.
Riding Day 2
May 7, 2016
Learning Outcomes: Profile
Learning Outcomes: Profile
The next challenge arose in the middle of the class. Thirty minutes into the class, Lilly the main teacher tells me "What do you think the kids should do now? I want you to take the lead now". Her requirement caught me by surprise so I had to use my previous knowledge to think of an exercise that would be appropriate to end the class with. It was the first time I was asked to lead on my own, and naturally I was a little unsure of my abilities as a teacher and as a rider. After analyzing everything the students had done in the class, I concluded that it is logical to end the class with a canter lap. I responded to Lilly that the kids should do a canter lap, and she immediately told me to tell them directly. Even though I was asked to give an order to the kids, suddenly I felt unsure of my knowledge and started doubting myself. I didn't feel as if I was prepared to give orders based on my own judgements, and decided to phrase the command as a question. I said "do you guys feel like it's all right to canter now?", and as soon as I said it the kids started doubting me and where unsure as if to follow my orders or not.
Right after that lesson, I had a chat with Lilly about the importance of confidence when teaching. Specially when working with kids, it's important that they see me as someone who knows what she is doing, someone they can trust. In order to gain their trust and respect it is essential that I speak with confidence and that I give loud and clear commands they can easily follow. Leadership is something I sometimes struggle with. I can work collaboratively and contribute with my ideas perfectly, but as soon as I'm left on my own, I lack the confidence to lead. Throughout this CAS project I have been able to recognize this weakness of mine, and with practice and the help of Lilly I will overcome this challenge and improve my leadership skills. This won't only be beneficial in the horseback riding lessons, but leadership is a skill that will help me for the rest of my life in anything I do.
Thinking it through I believe this is the perfect CAS project for me, because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion and at the same time share it with others. After riding my whole life, I have acquired extensive knowledge on horses and the riding techniques; with this project, I am taking my previous knowledge, and using it to teach kids. Not only am I teaching the kids the basics of horseback riding, but I am learning new things myself.
Right after that lesson, I had a chat with Lilly about the importance of confidence when teaching. Specially when working with kids, it's important that they see me as someone who knows what she is doing, someone they can trust. In order to gain their trust and respect it is essential that I speak with confidence and that I give loud and clear commands they can easily follow. Leadership is something I sometimes struggle with. I can work collaboratively and contribute with my ideas perfectly, but as soon as I'm left on my own, I lack the confidence to lead. Throughout this CAS project I have been able to recognize this weakness of mine, and with practice and the help of Lilly I will overcome this challenge and improve my leadership skills. This won't only be beneficial in the horseback riding lessons, but leadership is a skill that will help me for the rest of my life in anything I do.
Thinking it through I believe this is the perfect CAS project for me, because it gives me the opportunity to pursue my passion and at the same time share it with others. After riding my whole life, I have acquired extensive knowledge on horses and the riding techniques; with this project, I am taking my previous knowledge, and using it to teach kids. Not only am I teaching the kids the basics of horseback riding, but I am learning new things myself.