I’ve written before about the importance of collaboration and the excitement of ninja training camp as a way to teach movement composition, but please read on and allow me to present the magic of both in a new way.
I have co-written this blog with David Hatton the Grade Level Leader for Grade 2 at Hangzhou International School. David is an inspirational leader and fantastic homeroom teacher and I was extremely grateful when he agreed to reflect on our collaboration during the Grade 2 ninja camp unit and ‘express himself’. It has been eye opening gathering another perspective on one of my favourite units to teach.
How We Express Ourselves
Through the transdisciplinary theme ‘How We Express Ourselves’, Grade 2 students explored various artistic forms used to communicate beliefs, ideas, and emotions. While students often associate expression with art and music, they deepened their understanding by recognizing how movement, body shape and body language also convey meaning.
As part of our ongoing journey in Physical, Social, and Personal Education (PSPE), Grade 2 students participated in an exhilarating Ninja Training Camp! This program focused on developing movement composition and aesthetic movement skills, including ground movements, jumping, rolling, and balancing, all while exploring the theme of ‘How We Express Ourselves’.
Expressing Ourselves In Different Ways
Throughout this camp, students were challenged to use their skills to overcome physical obstacles, allowing them to build confidence and enhance their physical abilities. The process of navigating these obstacles has been a fantastic way for our young ninjas to demonstrate their growth and resilience with their courageous attitudes.
By integrating with PSPE classes, teachers created learning engagements with the movement skills students were developing, using physical theatre as a lens for exploration. Students worked collaboratively to analyze how physical performances such as Charlie Chaplin, shadow theatre performers, and the Thousand Hand Bodhisattva dance engaged audiences through facial expressions and body language. This led to the creation of movement sequences incorporating ground movements, rolling, and balancing to express emotions.
Graduation Time
We are thrilled to announce that all students successfully completed their Ninja Training Camp Graduation event, earning themselves a graduation certificate. This special occasion provided our students the opportunity to showcase their impressive physical development and reflect on their journey through the obstacle course.
During the graduation, students demonstrated their newfound skills and shared their personal reflections on the experience. We believe this is a wonderful way for students to celebrate their achievements and recognize the hard work they have put into mastering the challenges.
Students reflected on how their PSPE skills supported their ability to express themselves in their unit of inquiry. These meaningful connections foster transdisciplinary learning, helping students see how skills transfer across disciplines and into the world beyond the classroom.
If you are interested in creating a Ninja Training camp for your students, a six-week plan can be found here:
Student Reflections
“I got better at performing different balances by myself and with my classmates”.
“I enjoyed ninja training camp because I could choose which balances, jumps and movements to use for the obstacle course”.
“I got better at balancing during ninja training camp”.
“I enjoyed that there were many obstacles and challenges”.
“I think ninja training camp gave me new skills to practice”.
