Teacher: Loida Moya Smith

LESSON PLAN: “INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING WORKSHOP”

Subject: cross-curricular subject

Class: 3º,4º ESO in Spain (8th-10th grade)

Time: 120 min.

School: IES LEONARDO DA VINCI DE ALICANTE

Topic:INDOOR ROCK CLIMBING

Objective: This workshop isdesigned to enhance, educateand encourageourmodernstudents to embrace rock climbing.In thisworkshop wewillcoverclimbing andbelayingskills. Likeallempowering workshop sessionswewill be challengingourselvesbutthis workshop issuitableforallfitnesslevels.

Material:

  • ClimbingClothing

Wearclothingthatisnotrestrictive and won'tget in theway of youortherope. Yourclothingshouldbreathe, wicksweat and dryfast so thatyou can staywarm and comfortablewhileclimbing. Ifyou’reclimbing in theoutdoors, alsocarryclothesforchangingconditionsjust as youwouldforhiking.

  • Rock ClimbingShoes

Climbingshoesprotectyourfeetwhileprovidingthefrictionyouneed to gripfootholds. Moststyles are quite versatile, butyourclimbingability and whereyouclimb are bothfactors in choosingthecorrectshoe.

Rock shoesshouldfitsnuglybutnotpainfullytight. The general rule isthatcloser-fittingshoes are thenormfor more technicallychallengingclimbs.

Note: Rock shoesaren'tcomfortableforwalkinglongdistances and doing so can ruin them. Forthehikefromyour car to the base of yourclimbingarea, wearapproachshoes, trailrunnersorotherappropriatefootwear. Climbingshoes are forclimbingonly.

  • ClimbingHelmet

Whenclimbingoutdoors, youshouldalwayswear a helmetmadespecificallyforclimbing. Climbinghelmets are designed to cushionyour head fromfalling rock and debris, and some (thoughnotall) are designed to provideprotection in the case of a fall. They are generallynotworn in a climbinggymsinceit's a controlledenvironment.

A helmetshouldfeelcomfortable, fitsnuglybutnottootight and sit flat onyour head. Helmetsusuallyhave a hardprotectiveshell and aninternalstrappingsystem.

ClimbingHarness

Unlessyou are bouldering, youneed a climbingharness. A harnessconsists of twobasicparts:

  • Waistbelt:Thissitsoverthehips and mustfitsnugly.
  • Legloops:Oneloopgoesaroundeachleg. Manyharnessesconvenientlyofferadjustableorremovablelegloops.

Yourharnessallowsyou to tieintotheropesecurely and efficiently. Allharnesseshavetwofronttie-in pointsdesignedspecificallyforthreadingtherope and tying in, one at thewaist and one at thelegloops. Generallythetie-in points are differentthanthededicatedbelayloop. Bucklingyourharnesscorrectlyisessentialfor safety.

Chalk

Justlikegymnasts, climbers use chalk to improvetheirgrip. Chalkabsorbsperspirationonyourhands. To lessenenvironmentalimpact, it'sgoodform to use a chalkthatmatchesthe color of the rock you'reclimbing. Chalkiscarried in a smallpouchslungfromyourwaistby a lightweightbelt.

Instruction:

Divide theclass in groups of 4 students. Eachgroupwilllearneverythingtheyneed to know to utilizetheclimbingwallontheirownwithoutan instructor afterthisclassyouwill be ready to scheduleyourbelayassessment. This workshop and successfullycompletingyourbelayassessmentis a prerequisiteforOpen Climbsessions. Getcomfortablewithclimbingprocedures and equipment.

Procedure:

  • Whatyou’reworking

Technique

Mental Cognition

  • What to expect
    Expect 120 minutes of handsoninstruction in our workshop rock climbing. Youwon’t be climbingduringthis workshop, butyou’llpracticetheessentials so thatyou’reprepared to passourbelayassessment. Allnecessaryequipmentisprovided; simply show up ready to learn!
  • What to wear
    Comfortableclothingthatallowsyou to move. Harness, ropes, chalk bag and shoesprovided

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Whateducationalbenefitswillthestudentgainfromthis position?

Studentwillgainexperiencesupervising a collegiateclimbingwallprogram and equipment and facility. Studentwillalsogainexperience in programdevelopment, office organization and managementskills.

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