A Strategic Approach
Sports For Learning creates programs for children that integrate STEM, PBIS and Soccer. Our STEM & Soccer programs increase and encourage physical activity (aligned with public school physical activity standards), incentivize attendance, introduce new skills, and build character. As a company, we value “fun” as an important aspect of learning. Through play and learning we create memorable experiences and instill the values of academics, sports and teamwork.
Our programs have been developed in collaboration with experts in STEM, Next Generation Science Standards, and the PBIS disciplinary framework.
Further, we regularly conduct surveys through a research firm to measure outcomes and impact of our STEM+ athletics programming, allowing us to maintain strict quality control while continuing to refine our methodology.
the winning combination
“Sports For Learning is such a wonderful experience for the students; they can not wait for their soccer coach to get here. Their behaviors, inclusively, have been much better because they look forward to having their soccer.”
“I like this program a lot for my middle school. They always come with great games for the students to play, and they incorporate STEM but not in a traditional sit-down way.”
“The program is supportive of our PBIS implementation and decreases our incidents at lunch recess.”
“Concepts from the STEM subjects seem to pair up well with soccer drills. It’s a very good experience that the students really enjoy.”
Our programs encourage learning through play and fun. Our coaches undergo intensive training and provide structure, leadership and effective STEM learning using such teaching elements as storyline, curiosity questions, trigger words and assessment.
Storyline
Each game will have an exciting theme that will ignite a student’s imagination in order to enhance their learning, e.g. “Jurassic Park.”
Curiosity
Questions: Coaches begin each lesson with the curiosity question of the day. This sparks a student’s creativity, as they provide answers in return for points, e.g. “What is gravity and how does it affect us?”
Trigger words
Coaches will ask students two “trigger word” questions. Using a portable white-board paddle as a visual aid, the coach will remind students of these trigger word answers throughout the game.
Collecting & Assessing Data
We use our research tool to collect and assess learning outcomes.Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports
Sports For Learning’s approach is based on appreciation for the values instilled through sport. PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports)–is an effective disciplinary framework that uses positive reinforcements to support students socially, emotionally, and academically. It is integral to providing kids an environment where they don’t want to misbehave.
Through our implementation of this framework, our coaches have been able to decrease disciplinary referrals in some districts by up to 79%.
“The result of the programs throughout the school has been a decrease in disciplinary issues and an increase in attendance…In the short time the program has been in use, the combination of the extended learning time and soccer has changed the overall mood at lunch time.
Assistant Principal James Barnett, Alvin Elementary
Sports For Learning’s curriculum-based games include specific school values and behavior goals. We work with each school and district to ensure our activities incorporate the school’s PBIS framework by:
Adopting school values
We work with school staff to identify the top two values that are currently part of the school’s PBIS framework.
Implementing school values
Using portable white-board paddles as a visual aids, our coaches implement and reinforce values out on the field
Creating acknowledgement system
Students and the teams are rewarded with points and the school’s incentive tokens (e.g. Dino dollars) for exhibiting good behavior.
Providing feedback
The students receive immediate, corrective feedback on the field. When necessary, this is shared with teachers or the principal for additional reinforcement.
Collecting and Assessing Data
Sports For Learning works with schools to record disciplinary referrals logged before, during and after implementation of our lunch recess programs, to document the impact of the Sports For Learning programs.Students will learn fun soccer skills.
At most of the schools where Sports For Learning operates, soccer is the most popular sport. Students will:
