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Archery offered at Salem Elementary

Jennifer Frew | The News Herald

Hunter Education Specialist Wes Blair helps instruct a Salem Elementary student during P.E. on Tuesday. Blair visited teacher Michael Steele's classes, where an archery program is just getting started.

By Julie N. Chang | The News Herald

Published: November 20, 2009

MORGANTON - For students at Salem Elementary School, the goal of their archery class isn't just to hit the bull's-eye, but to build their characters, says physical education teacher Michael Steele.

The second elementary school in the state to participate in the National Archery in Schools Program, the students focus on character education including patience and team work ethics, spirit and support, Steele said.

"I saw this as an opportunity to expose activities to kids that they don't get to do everyday," Steele said, "to step outside the box of the traditional sports realm."

Steele said one of the main objectives in all of his physical education classes is to break the mold of a stereotypical class. He also focuses on teaching skills that can be applied both in class and in life.

The archery program didn't just appear out of thin air. Steele first heard about school archery programs at an annual athletic conference where the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission had a booth promoting the program.

Steele said he researched the feasibility and impact of an archery program then he went in search of funding.

Wes Blair, N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission hunter education specialist for district 8, said the commission offers a cost share program for archery where schools pay $500 for a package.

Blair said the program offered by the National Archery in Schools Program is designed for all ages, but is best for fourth-grade students and older.

The program teaches Olympic-style archery and offers indoor courses for school gymnasiums, Blair said. Nationwide, about 45 states participate in the program.

Steele said the program offers competitions at the state, national and international level. He hopes his students can participate in at least the state competition.

Steele went through an archery course with Blair to gain certification before he could teach the class, which he offers to first- through fifth-grader students.

The skills students learn through archery fall under the standard course of study Steele teaches and complies with a state statute. Steele said he emphasizes safety and has a whistle system in place for communicating swiftly.

Each archery session starts with a review of the parts of a bow and arrow and a review of the process, Steele said. There are five targets set up in the gym, and behind them is a mesh-like backdrop that stops arrows that miss targets.

Steele said archery skills include building physical movements, improving eye-hand coordination, identifying and using the dominant eye and developing proper form and technique. Additionally, the students review the history of archery and incorporate mathematics for score keeping.

Steele said at first, some of the students were skeptical about the archery course, but now verbally express their eagerness in the school's hallways.

"I've seen virtually 100 percent enthusiasm," Steele said. "A few are timid though. But once a student draws the string back and releases and hits the target, the biggest smile comes across their face. From that point on, they are hooked."

The interest is spreading, too. A physical education teacher from West Caldwell High School visited Steele's class Tuesday afternoon to learn more about the archery program.

Steele said he hopes other schools in the county also add the National Archery in Schools Program.